Introduction
Aged care is a rewarding and growing sector that offers many opportunities for those who want to make a difference in the lives of older people. Aged care workers provide assistance, support, and direct care to aged persons in a variety of settings, such as residential facilities, community services, and home care. If you are interested in pursuing a career in aged care, you may wonder what kind of courses are available, how long they take, how much they cost, and what are the entry requirements. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most popular aged care courses in Brisbane and answer these questions.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is one of the most common qualifications for aged care workers. It is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to provide individualised support and care to older people in various settings. You will learn how to recognise healthy body systems, communicate effectively, work legally and ethically, follow safe work practices, support independence and wellbeing, provide personal care, assist with medication, and respond to emergencies.
The duration of this course varies depending on the mode of delivery and the provider. Generally, it can take from 6 months to 1 year to complete. The fees also vary depending on the provider and your eligibility for subsidies or concessions. Generally, the fees range from $1,500 to $4,000.
The prerequisites for this course are usually a minimum age of 18 years, a satisfactory level of English language proficiency, a current police check, and a current First Aid certificate. Some providers may also require you to complete a pre-training review or an entry test.
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
The Certificate IV in Ageing Support is a higher-level qualification that prepares you to take on more complex roles and responsibilities in aged care. It is suitable for those who already have some experience or qualification in aged care and want to advance their career. You will learn how to coordinate and deliver services, facilitate individual service planning and delivery, implement interventions with older people at risk, provide support for dementia, deliver care services using a palliative approach, and manage legal and ethical compliance.
The duration of this course varies depending on the mode of delivery and the provider. Generally, it can take from 12 months to 18 months to complete. The fees also vary depending on the provider and your eligibility for subsidies or concessions. Generally, the fees range from $3,000 to $6,000.
The prerequisites for this course are usually a minimum age of 18 years, a satisfactory level of English language proficiency, a current police check, and a current First Aid certificate. Some providers may also require you to have completed the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or equivalent or have relevant work experience.
Diploma of Nursing (Ageing)
The Diploma of Nursing (Ageing) is a specialised qualification that enables you to work as an enrolled nurse in aged care. It is suitable for those who want to develop their skills and knowledge in providing nursing care to older people with complex needs. You will learn how to apply clinical nursing skills and knowledge in practice settings, administer and monitor medications, implement infection prevention and control policies and procedures, apply principles of wound management, provide nursing care for chronic health problems, provide nursing care for people with mental health conditions, provide nursing care for older clients, and work with diverse people.
The duration of this course varies depending on the mode of delivery and the provider. Generally, it can take from 18 months to 2 years to complete. The fees also vary depending on the provider and your eligibility for subsidies or concessions. Generally, the fees range from $10,000 to $20,000.
The prerequisites for this course are usually a minimum age of 18 years, a satisfactory level of English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent), a current police check, a current First Aid certificate, and completion of Year 12 or equivalent with satisfactory results in English, mathematics, and science.
Conclusion
These are some of the most popular aged care courses in Australia that can help you start or advance your career in this sector. Depending on your goals, interests, skills, and budget, you can choose the course that suits you best. However, before enrolling in any course, make sure you do your research on the provider’s reputation, accreditation status, course content, delivery mode, assessment methods, support services, employment outcomes, and student feedback. This way, you can ensure that you get the best value for your money and time.
We hope this blog post has given you some useful insights into exploring aged care courses in Australia for international students.