Can I Study an Aged Care Course for Free? How Government Funding Can Help
A career in aged care is a fulfilling one. It provides vital physical and emotional support to older community members, from assisting with personal care and hygiene right through to managing severe illness.
Australia constantly needs enthusiastic and empathetic newcomers to the aged care industry. Because of this, the government has created subsidies for specific courses so that recruits can gain the qualifications they need to help enrich this essential sector.
Source: National Industry Insights
Today, you’ll get an overview of the qualifications necessary to start your new career in aged care and how government course subsidies work in your state.
What qualifications do I need to work in aged care?
To become an aged care worker, employers typically require you to have a relevant qualification. Ages care has many facets and many role types. If you have prior training in all areas of aged care, you will be able to hit the ground running once you enter the workforce.
Got previous experience in the healthcare system? Qualifications in a related field? You may already have a head start. For people from an unrelated area, there are Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses available through TAFE and other RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) that can offer flexible learning schedules — and most importantly — are subsidised by the government.
Aged care qualifications:
This course supports learners who wish to become support workers or carers in the community or residential aged care settings. You follow individualised plans to support people who require it due to ageing, disability or some other reason.
Duration — The average duration for this course is nine months but can vary between providers. This qualification can be studied in a self-paced or full-time timeframe and is available as an online course or on campus.
Work placement — As part of this qualification, learners are expected to complete a 120-hour work placement.
This qualification prepares the learner for entry-level care worker roles in aged care services, caring for older people in settings like residential care, home care or community services.
Duration — The average duration for this course is nine months but can vary between providers. You can study this qualification in a self-paced or full-time timeframe, online or on campus.
Work placement — As part of this qualification, learners are expected to complete a 120-hour work placement.
This qualification supports those who wish to provide specialised services in aged care facilities, residential support services, home or community-based environments.
This course offers increased career opportunities in aged and community care and can lead to aged care team leader positions.
Duration — The average duration for this course is one year but can vary between providers. You can study this qualification in a self-paced or full-time timeframe, online or on campus.
Placement — As part of this qualification, learners are expected to complete a 120-hour work placement.
Apprenticeships
Another way to gain your qualification in aged care is through a traineeship. This means you will work in the industry straight away and study simultaneously — earning while you learn.
Both the Certificate III in Individual Support and the Certificate IV in Ageing Support are available as Australian Apprenticeships.
Qualifications available for funding
The Australian Government worked in partnership with states and territories to establish JobTrainer.
JobTrainer offers eligible learners free or low-fee VET courses like diplomas, certificates and short courses. JobTrainer covers many industries, one of which is aged care and disability support.
JobTrainer funding includes these qualifications:
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015)
As each state and territories governments work slightly differently, eligibility criteria for JobTrainer courses may vary.
Another way to gain your qualification in aged care is through a traineeship. This means you will work in the industry straight away and study simultaneously — earning while you learn.
A Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Ageing Support are both available as Australian Apprenticeships.
Aged care courses near me
There are several federal and state-run funding programs for high priority industries. The aged care sector has high projected growth. As one of Australia’s most in-need workforces, the government has given special attention to making sure recruits can access the training they need to reinforce this essential industry.
Each State and Territory in Australia does things a little differently regarding course funding. Here is how government subsidies work for aged care qualifications in your state.
- JobTrainer: JobTrainer allows eligible Victorians to study a Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 for free or a low fee.
- FREE TAFE: FREE TAFE for priority courses covers the tuition fees for eligible learners for government-subsidised training over many courses. Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 are courses included in FREE TAFE.
- Skills First: Skills First is a Victorian Government program that allows eligible learners to apply for a government-subsidised spot in an approved VET course. This means both the learner and the government cover the tuition costs. Both a Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 are Skills First subsidised courses.
- JobTrainer: JobTrainer allows eligible learners in New South Wales to study a Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 for free or a low fee.
- Smart and Skilled: Smart and Skilled supports people in NSW to get the VET qualifications they need to find a job. Smart and Skilled helps eligible learners by providing government-subsidised training, including Certificate III and government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) for targeted priority areas. A Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 are eligible for Smart and Skilled assistance.
- JobTrainer – The South Australian state government has allocated more than $88 million in new training opportunities for eligible learners in South Australia. JobTrainer courses in SA include:
- Skilling South Australia – Skilling SA is a funding program for VET courses. It allows eligible students to access subsidised courses across a range of industries. A Certificate III in Individual Support( CHC33015) and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) are available for Skilling South Australia funding.
- JobTrainer – JobTrainer offers eligible Queensland residents access to a free or low-fee vocational education and training course. A Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 is available for fee assistance in Queensland.
- Certificate 3 Guarantee – The Certificate 3 Guarantee supports eligible learners in Queensland to complete a Certificate III qualification if they don’t already hold one. Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 is one of the qualifications in this program.
- Higher Level Skills – The Higher Level Skills program offers eligible learners access to a subsidised place in selected certificate IV level or above qualifications. A Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 is available in The Higher Level Skills program.
- JobTrainer – JobTrainer WA allows eligible learners in Western Australia to access free or low-fee courses in high priority industries. A Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 is available for subsidised funding as part of this initiative.
- Jobs & Skills WA – A range of qualifications are available for subsidised fees under Jobs and Skills WA. Priority training areas include apprenticeships, eligible traineeships, and priority industry areas. If eligible, learners can undertake a Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 or a Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015.
- Lower Fees, Local Skills – The Lower Fees, Local Skills program is WA Government and Department of Training and Workforce Development initiative dedicated to heavily subsidised training in industries that play an essential role in the economy. Under this program, these aged care courses are available:
- Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015
- JobTrainer – With new workers and school leavers benefiting the most from JobTrainer ACT, apprentices over the age of 17 can also have their wages subsidised for the duration of their apprenticeship.
- Skilled Capital – Skilled Capital is an ACT Government funded initiative offering a range of services and subsidies to provide Canberrans with the support they need to gain the qualifications they need. The Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC4301 is available under the Skilled Capital program.
- JobTrainer – Part of a nationwide funding program, JobTrainer allows eligible learners in Tasmania to access many courses at no cost. Both the Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 are available for funding in the JobTrainer program.
- JobTrainer – A massive selection of free and low-fee training courses are open to eligible Northern Territory residents through JobTrainer. Although a Cert III or Cert IV is not part of the JobTrainer program in the NT, short courses like the Individual Support – Ageing Skill Set CHCSS00097 can introduce you to the aged care industry.
- User Choice – User Choice is a national scheme that subsidises course costs for Australian apprenticeships. The subsidies are paid directly to the course provider in the Northern Territory. Both Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 and Certificate IV in Ageing Support CHC43015 are available as apprenticeships in Australia.
Starting a new career can be intimidating and is not always straightforward. Luckily, with government assistance and flexible options for gaining your qualification, including short courses and online learning, your dream of a new, rewarding career in aged care is closer than you might think.
Wondering what it's really like to work in aged care?
Julia Caplan, an occupational therapist at Total Health Physio, shares insights from her experience in the aged care sector.
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