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.
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
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.
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.
The qualifications that should be studied in the package are below:
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.
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.
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.
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
The entry requirements for the Aged Care package are pretty straightforward, as all candidates must meet the following:
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:
Patience and Staying Composed
Aged care can be physically and emotionally demanding. You’ll need to stay calm and patient, even during tough situations.
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.
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.
Nursing Support Worker - assists registered nurses with patient care tasks like monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily activities, and supporting medical procedures
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.
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.
These salary ranges are approximations based on current data and can fluctuate depending on factors like experience, qualifications, and specific locations in Australia.
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:
These occupations state specific tasks and duties that must be performed in an aged care setting; tasks Include:
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:
They will need to be working for an Employer that has a Labour Agreement with the following unions
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
Key Requirements:
Visa Benefits:
Transition to Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186) Permanent Residency - grants you permanent residency in Australia.
Key Requirements:
Visa Benefits:
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…
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:
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
5. Enrol in a Nursing Qualification suited to your time and budget
Option 2: Bachelor of Nursing (Registered Nurse) 3 years from $120,000 AUD
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