Studying aged care in Australia as an international student offers the opportunity for a fulfilling career with excellent job prospects and potential pathways to residency and further studies. Discover the benefits of this field, available visa options, and how Studyaway can support you throughout the process.

The Booming Aged Care Sector in Australia

Australia's aged care sector is growing quickly because of an aging population, which means more demand for qualified workers and many job opportunities. With significant government funding and new programs to improve care quality, this industry provides job security and a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Reference: CEDA

Why Study Aged Care and Community Service? 

A career in aged care is more than just a job—it’s a chance to make a real difference, explore different roles, and grow continuously.

• Increasing Need for Aged Care Workers
  The demand for skilled aged care professionals continues to rise, ensuring job stability.
• Career Opportunities After Graduation
  Many job options are available once you complete your studies in aged care.
• Attractive Pay and Perks
  Aged care positions offer competitive wages and appealing benefits, such as flexible shirts and penalty rates like overtime. 
• Job Satisfaction: Helping improve the lives of older people and those with disabilities
• Ongoing Development: Plenty of opportunities for professional growth and training.

What Qualifications Should You Study to Work in Aged Care?

Students often study a packaged program for the following courses: This ensures they have long enough to build their skills and get adequate experience and exposure to the industry. These courses must be completed sequentially as prerequisite requirements must be met to progress to the next qualification.

1. Certificate III in Individual Support
2. Certificate IV in Ageing Support
3. Diploma of Community Service

The qualifications that should be studied in the package are below:

Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care)

This qualification is the minimum requirement for working as a personal care attendant in care settings. The course covers the responsibilities of workers in community and residential settings who implement personalised plans for individuals needing support due to aging or disability. It requires discretion, judgment, and accountability for work outcomes.

• Duration: 12 months

Certificate IV Ageing Support

This qualification represents the role of support workers who perform specialised tasks and functions within aged care services, whether in residential, home, or community settings. These workers will be accountable for their own outcomes while adhering to established organisational guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

• Duration: 6 months

Diploma of Community Services 

This qualification pertains to community service professionals, case managers, and social housing workers who manage and deliver person-centred services. They possess specialised skills and operate independently, adhering to general guidelines from senior management.

• Duration: 2 years

How Much Does it Cost to Study Aged Care in Australia?

These three qualifications can vary in cost depending on the qualification, training provider, and location in Australia where you study. Courses studied in major cities will cost more than studying in smaller cities or regional areas. As a rough guide, the three qualifications can cost between $24,000 to $40,000

Studyaway offers an Aged Care and Community Services Program that can be seen on our course page: Studyaway - Aged Care and Community Service

Entry Requirements in Studying Aged Care

The entry requirements for the Aged Care package are pretty straightforward, as all candidates must meet the following: 

1. Age: Minimum 18 years old.
2. Education: Completed Year 11 equivalent in secondary school
3. English Proficiency: IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent
4. Police Check: A National Police Check is required.
5. Working with Children Check: Required for certain roles.
6. Health & Immunization: May require vaccinations for placements.

Necessary Skills for Studying and Working in Aged Care 

To succeed in aged care, you need practical skills and personal qualities. All courses in the program provide “practical placement.” This helps build medical knowledge, patient care, compassion, patience, and good communication skills. Students are required to have the following qualities:

• Caring and Understanding
  Working with elderly people, many of whom may be dealing with health issues, requires a caring attitude and understanding.
• Strong Interpersonal Skills
  Clear communication is key, as you’ll interact with residents, their families, and other healthcare workers.

• Patience and Staying Composed
  Aged care can be physically and emotionally demanding. You’ll need to stay calm and patient, even during tough situations.

Career Opportunities in Aged Care

After completing their qualifications, individuals have various job titles for which they are eligible, depending on their work experience and environment. Some popular roles are listed below

Personal Care Assistants - Support elderly or disabled clients in aged care facilities and at home by assisting with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, meal prep, and mobility.

• Average annual salary: $70,000 - $75,000 per year

Aged Care Worker - Supports elderly individuals needing help with daily living activities, including emotional support, medication administration, mobility assistance, and promoting independence in aged care homes or community settings.

• Average annual salary: $60,000 - $70,000 per year

Nursing Support Worker - assists registered nurses with patient care tasks like monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily activities, and supporting medical procedures

• Average annual salary: $55,000 to $65,000 per year

Community Support Worker - Assist individuals in the community facing challenges such as mental health issues, substance abuse, or homelessness by providing support, advocacy, and connecting them with services to help achieve greater independence.

• Average annual salary: $75,000 - $80,000 per year

Lifestyle / Leisure and Therapy Assistant - Support therapeutic activities in aged care or disability settings by engaging clients in recreational activities and therapies to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being under professional guidance.

• Average annual salary: $60,000 - $80,000 per year

These salary ranges are approximations based on current data and can fluctuate depending on factors like experience, qualifications, and specific locations in Australia.

How Can I Stay in Australia and Work in Aged Care After Graduation?

Australia has created a new Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement for Aged Care workers to remain in Australia after their studies. If you're an International Student who has completed the Aged Care qualifications and wants to remain in Australia. You must work in the aged care sector. The New Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement. students working in the sector to be employed and remain in Australia under the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), a Temporary Visa, then continue to remain in Australia on an Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186), a pathway to Permanent Residency.

Here’s what you need to know: 

Student must complete their Certificate III in Individual Support, start working in the Aged Care sector and start gaining experience in the following occupations and roles: 

• Personal Care Assistant (ANZSCO 423313)
• Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)
• Nursing Support Worker (ANZSCO 423312)

These occupations state specific tasks and duties that must be performed in an aged care setting; tasks Include:

• assisting patients with their personal care needs, such as showering, dressing and eating
• assisting patients with their mobility and communication needs
• participating in planning the care of individuals
• following therapy plans such as interventions to assist those with dementia and behavioural problems
• observing and reporting changes in patient's condition, and reporting complaints about care
• assisting with rehabilitation exercises, basic treatment and delivering medications
• providing direct support and assistance to therapists

Students must work in these roles for at least one year full-time or two years part-time as they will be on a Student Visa (subclass 500), which only allows them to work 48 hours per fortnight. 

Your work experience will need to have a skills assessment by: 

• Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) 
• Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).

They will need to be working for an Employer that has a Labour Agreement with the following unions

• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
• Health Services Union (HSU)
• United Workers Union (UWU)

This ensures that the employer has access to the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement and can sponsor the student under the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) Temporary Visa

Let’s learn more about the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482) Temporary Visa - which enables overseas workers to be sponsored by Australian employers for skilled roles in the aged care sector

Key Requirements:

• An employer in the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement must nominate you.
• You need at least a Certificate III or equivalent in aged care or community services or 12 months of relevant work experience.
• You must meet English language requirements (typically IELTS 5.0 or equivalent, with some concessions for community language skills).
• You will need a skills assessment from ANMAC or ACWA
• Your employer must pay you the minimum salary of AUD 51,222 per year (or the Australian Market Salary Rate if higher).

Visa Benefits:

• Work in Australia for up to 4 years for your sponsor or up to 5 years if you are a Hong Kong passport holder
• After the subclass 482 visa, you can transition to permanent residency via the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa.

Transition to Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186) Permanent Residency -  grants you permanent residency in Australia.

Key Requirements:

• Two years of relevant work experience in a direct care role, such as aged care or nursing, under the subclass 482 visa (this can be with different employers).
• Your employer must nominate you for permanent residency under the subclass 186 visa.
• If your qualifications are overseas, you will need a skills assessment from ANMAC or ACWA.
• English proficiency: Usually, IELTS 5.0 is required, but higher requirements apply for certain visa streams.

Visa Benefits:

• Permanent Residency: Once granted, you gain permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and access Medicare in Australia.
• Family Members: Your dependents can also join you under the same visa.

Other options are available if you don’t qualify for the visas or find an employer willing to sponsor you. The most common being nursing…

What if I can’t Get Employer-Sponsored in Aged Care? Aged Care is a Pathway to Nursing

In Australia, there is a clear pathway from Aged Care to Nursing for those in elderly care. The Aged Care courses provide exposure to the health care industry and allow you to work in Aged Care while studying to become an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse in Australia. The key requirement to enter in Nursing is managing the academic workload and meeting the English Proficiency requirements

Here is an outline of how students can Transition from Aged Care to Nursing

1. Enrol and Start with Aged Care Qualifications:

• Certificate III in Individual Support (Aged Care) and/or
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• Diploma of Community Services

2. Study for your English Test and score requirements (IELTS 7 and above or the equivalent).

Read the Blog: English Language Requirements for Nursing Courses in Australia

3. Gain Work Experience in Aged Care after completing Certificate III in Individual Support.

4. Complete the EILTS/PTE test to qualify and gain a place in a nursing course

• Must have Proficient English, such as an IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent in PTE, OET, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced Test 

5. Enrol in a Nursing Qualification suited to your time and budget

• Option 1: Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) 18 months, from $36,000 AUD

• Option 2: Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse) 3 years from $120,000 AUD

Further Stay Options for Nurses

• Enrolled Nurses have a pathway to stay further through Employer and Regional Sponsorship
• Registered Nurses can stay in Australia through Graduate work visas and skilled Nominated visas that lead to permanent residency.

Start Your Aged Care Journey with Studyaway!

Studying Aged Care and Community Service in Australia offers strong job prospects and the opportunity to make a real difference. 

At Studyaway, we provide expert support to help you choose the right course, manage visa options, and navigate your career path. With our affordable packages, we can make your dream of studying in Australia a reality. 

Here is some further reading to support you

• Choosing the Right Course to Study in Australia: A Guide for International Students
• English Language Requirements for Nursing Courses in Australia
• Diploma of Nursing
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Aged Care and Community Service Course