With so many aged care courses available online, deciding which pathway is right for you can be challenging.
The good news is that the career progression and qualification opportunities in the aged care sector are relatively linear. Most students begin with a Certificate III course before moving on to more advanced Certificate IV and Diploma courses to hone their skills, build experience and move into senior roles in the community services or healthcare industries.
The key is to choose a nationally recognised registered training organisation (RTO) like Sage Education. An accredited qualification from an RTO proves to employers you have the job-ready skills needed to thrive in aged care roles.
In this guide, we’ll explore five of the best online aged care courses, what you’ll learn in them, and how you can start your aged care journey today with an accredited course from Sage.
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability)
Consider the Certificate III in Individual Support course your entry pathway into the aged care industry.
This course (or an equivalent level 3) is the minimum requirement for those looking to start a career in aged care. It teaches all of the fundamental knowledge needed to succeed as an aged care worker. You’ll learn how to:
- Provide individualised support to people with diverse needs
- Encourage and empower independence
- Recognise healthy body systems and promote wellbeing
- Provide physical, psychological and emotional support
- Follow safe work practices for direct client care
- Perform dozens of other essential tasks for those working in aged care
If you’re looking for the perfect pathway into the aged care industry, why not consider a Certificate III aged care course from Sage Education? Our industry-leading, accredited qualification is accessible, engaging and hands-on. You’ll learn everything you need to know to get started in a well-paid aged care role as soon as you complete your training.
Are you a Queensland resident? Sage’s Certificate III in Individual Support course falls under the Queensland Certificate III Guarantee initiative. This means you can gain your certification at a significantly discounted price when you enrol today.
What’s more, this course also allows you to learn the ins and outs of caring for those with a disability. If you want to keep your options open, consider taking elective modules in aged care and disability care. This enables you to try out both specialisations and decide which pathway is right for you.
Want to get started with a Certificate III in Individual Support course today? Click here to learn more. Still not sure which course is right for you? Contact us. Our expert team are always on hand to provide advice and answer any questions you may have.
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
The Certificate IV in Ageing Support course is an advanced training program. It will teach you how to empower and support older individuals in aged care facilities, communities and homes. This program is ideally suited to those who already work in the aged care industry and would like to move into a more senior position. You’ll learn how to:
- Provide personal support to people with diverse needs
- Coordinate services for older people
- Facilitate the interests and rights of your clients
- Manage legal and ethical compliance
- Develop networks and collaborate partnerships
Sage also offers this course at a subsidised fee under the Queensland Government’s Higher Level Skills program. If you’re a Queensland resident and meet the entry criteria, you could be eligible for reduced entry costs.
The Certificate IV in Ageing Support course is a more advanced program than the Certificate III in Individual Support course. This means you’ll usually need some prior qualifications or experience in the aged care sector to enrol.
If you’re starting from square one, we advise beginning with a Certificate III in Individual Support course to build up essential skills and expertise. Then, should you want to move into a more senior position, a Certificate IV course will provide you with the advanced technical skills and job-ready expertise you need to transition into a more advanced role.
Want to learn more about Sage’s industry-leading Certificate IV course? Click here for more information. If you have any further questions, contact us here. We’re always happy to help.
- Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
This Certificate III course is an excellent opportunity for those looking to kickstart a career in Indigenous health care. The program will give you the foundational knowledge you need to work with diverse Indigenous communities. You’ll learn how to:
- Inform and educate patients about healthy body systems, oral health and infection control
- Deliver medicines to customers
- Provide First Aid in remote or isolated areas
- Identify and address the unique needs of Indigenous peoples.
Note that some other courses, such as Sage’s Certificate IV in Ageing Support course, also include a specialist elective module centred on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
If you’re looking to gain valuable experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, but want to ensure you have a fall-back strategy if you discover the niche isn’t for you, a Certificate IV in Ageing Support course can provide you with fundamental expertise that you can apply to a broader range of future roles.
- Diploma of Community Services
This diploma course teaches the specialised skills, theoretical knowledge and qualities students require to transition into supervisory and management positions within the aged care sector. You’ll learn how to:
- Develop and implement service programs
- Manage and promote diversity in the workplace
- Reflect and improve upon your own professional practice.
- Facilitate workplace debriefings and support processes
- Manage health and safety
This course is ideally suited to those already working in the aged care sector. It will provide you with the expertise you need to take your career to the next level and move into more advanced roles.
Note that we recommend completing Sage’s lower-level certificate qualifications before transitioning into a diploma. That said, if you already have work experience in the aged care sector, a diploma is a great way to build your expertise and progress your career.
Click here to learn more about Sage’s Diploma of community services course, or get in touch for more information.
- Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management
This course teaches students the higher level skills and knowledge required to move into advanced leadership, management and mentorship roles within the aged care sector.
You’ll learn how to:
- Provide case management supervision
- Lead organisational change
- Design and implement strategic plans and business plans
- Facilitate intervention strategies
- Develop and manage performance management processes
The advanced diploma is the highest VET qualification available in the aged care sector. As such, it is only suited to those who have many qualifications and a lot of industry experience. If you’re just getting started in the industry, consider completing a Certificate III, Certificate IV and Diploma before enrolling in an advanced diploma.
Gradually building up your experience is the best way to open new opportunities and set yourself up for a long, fulfilling career in the aged care sector.
Why enrol with Sage Education?
Sage Education is one of Australia’s most recognised providers of holistic aged care courses, both online and in-person. Since our launch in 1998, we’ve helped thousands of enrollees graduate from our world-class courses with lifelong skills and practical expertise that they can apply to their chosen careers.
We teach many of our courses in a blended learning setting. This means you get to mix and match between in-person classes and at-home learning. It also means you get to learn, study and revise core modules at your own pace from wherever you are in the world.
Why choose Sage? We’re committed to your employment and will support you as you start your career once you graduate from our course. In fact, we’re proud to say that we help over 80% of our course graduates start a rewarding career within just ten weeks of their course end date. That means you could start your new job earning an average of $50-60k annually in under three months.
Choosing the right aged care course can be tough. The best choice for you depends on your ambitions, experience and skill set. Sage is here to help. Get in touch with our helpful advisers today for advice, support and guidance. We’re committed to helping you find the perfect course and start the career of your dreams.
