Work in Aged Care - Short Course
Course Overview
A broader foundation for aged care
The Work in Aged Care bundle is a more complete introduction to the aged care sector, bringing together three units of learning. You will build the knowledge and confidence to understand aged care work, the human body in the context of care, and how to support people living with dementia.
Across twelve topics, you will explore the roles, values, and everyday realities of aged care; how the body's systems work and how ageing affects them; and person-centred, respectful approaches to dementia support. It is 100% online and self-paced, so you can learn in a way that fits your life and decide whether a career in aged care is right for you.
Is this course accredited?
The Work in Aged Care course is a non-accredited course. It is not a nationally recognised qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). It gives you a practical foundation in the aged care and community services industry and a Certificate of Completion issued by Upskilled, which is ideal for non-personal-care support roles. To work directly in personal care, you will need a nationally accredited qualification such as CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. Our education consultants can help you find the right accredited pathway when you are ready.
What you will walk away with
By the end of the Work in Aged Care short course, you will be able to:
- Understand the roles, values and ethics of aged care work
- Apply person-centred practice
- Work with individual plans, documentation and a care team
- Recognise and manage risks, and use self-care strategies
- Understand the body's major systems and how it stays in balance
- Understand the effects of ageing on the body, and monitor for pain
- Understand what dementia is, its indicators and impact
- Respond to behaviours of concern calmly and safely
- Use person-centred approaches and communication in dementia care
- Document accurately and keep good records
Who is this course for?
For a serious start in the sector
The Work in Aged Care course is designed for people who want to build broader skills for non-personal-care roles in the aged care and community services industry, supporting older people with everyday living rather than providing hands-on personal care. It is a practical way to build employability and confidence before progressing to further qualifications.
- Students wanting practical skills to improve their employability
- Individuals targeting entry-level roles such as domestic assistance, cleaning, meal preparation, companionship, transport support or other non-personal care support positions
- People wanting to build confidence before progressing to further qualifications
- Those looking for a lower-cost entry point into the industry
Entry-level roles this course can help you explore
- Support Worker (Non-Personal Care / Domestic Support)
- Domestic Support Worker
- Home Care Worker (Domestic Support Stream)
- Community Support Worker / In-Home Support Worker
- Lifestyle Assistant / Lifestyle Support Worker
What these roles do
- Supporting daily living tasks such as meals, cleaning and transport
- Helping people stay connected to their community
- Maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment
- Assisting with routines that support independence and wellbeing
This is a non-accredited course focused on non-personal-care support roles. If you want to move into hands-on personal care, a nationally accredited qualification such as a Certificate III in Individual Support is usually required, and our education consultants can help you find the right pathway.
Modules
What you will study
The Work in Aged Care course is made up of three units and twelve modules in total. Each module includes a practice quiz, and each unit finishes with a course quiz.
The foundations of aged care work, from the roles and values of the sector to the everyday realities of the working environment.
1. Understanding the Roles in Aged Care
Understand what working in aged care involves, including the different roles, person-centred practice, the guidelines that shape aged care work, and the ethical practices that keep older people safe and respected.
- Roles in Aged Care
- Person-Centred Practice
- Guidelines of Aged Care Work
- Ethical Practices in Aged Care
2. Working in an Aged Care Environment
Learn what day-to-day aged care work is really like, including managing risks, working with individual plans and documentation, working within a team, and looking after your own wellbeing with self-care strategies.
- Risks in Aged Care
- Individual Plans and Documentation
- Working Within the Team
- Monitoring Stress and Self-Care Strategies
The human body in the context of care, from how its systems work to how ageing and disability affect them.
1. Body Systems
Get to know the major systems of the human body and how they work together, the foundational knowledge that underpins safe, quality care.
2. Homeostasis and Regulation of the Body
Understand how the body keeps itself in balance, and what happens when that balance is disrupted, so you can better understand the people you support.
3. The Effects of Ageing and Disability on Body Systems
Learn how ageing and disability affect the body, the common conditions to be aware of, and how to monitor for signs of pain.
- Ageing and Disability
- Common Conditions
- Ageing Cells and Tissues
- The Impacts of Ageing and Disability on Body Systems
- Monitoring for Pain
- Glossary of Terms
A respectful, person-centred introduction to supporting people living with dementia, from understanding the condition to communication and documentation.
1. What is Dementia
Understand what dementia is, the different types, and how it affects a person, building the knowledge base for supporting people living with dementia.
2. Indicators and Assessment of Dementia
Learn the common signs and indicators of dementia and how it is assessed, so you can better understand the people you support.
3. Dementia and Behaviours of Concern
Understand behaviours of concern that can come with dementia, why they happen, and how to respond calmly and safely.
4. The Impact of Dementia
Explore the impact of dementia on the person, their family and carers, and on everyday life.
5. Person-Centred Approaches
Learn how to use person-centred approaches that focus on the individual, their history, preferences and dignity.
6. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Strategies
Build practical communication strategies, both verbal and non-verbal, to connect with people living with dementia.
7. Documentation
Understand how to document accurately and why good record keeping matters in dementia care.
Course Inclusions
Everything that comes with your enrolment.
- Three units, twelve modules: A broad foundation across aged care work, body systems in care, and dementia support.
- Practice quizzes: A practice quiz in each module, plus a course quiz for each unit.
- 6 months access: Study at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you like.
- 100% online, self-paced: No timetables and no campus, just learning that fits your life.
- Certificate of Completion: A Certificate of Completion issued by Upskilled to add to your resume.
- Payment plans available: Prefer to pay in instalments? Talk to an Upskilled advisor to set up a plan.
Payment Options
All amounts are in AUD. *All prices include GST. For more details, please contact our consultants at 1300 009 924. Speak to our friendly Education Consultants to learn about payment options. Terms & Conditions Apply.
Entry requirements
There are no entry requirements or prerequisites to enrol in the Work in Aged Care course. It is designed as a beginner-friendly foundation for anyone interested in the aged care sector.
*This course is only available to people residing in Australia and is not available to international students.
FAQs
The Work in Aged Care course is a non-accredited bundle made up of three units and twelve modules. It covers aged care work, how the body works in the context of care, and how to support people living with dementia.
Introduction to Aged Care is a single unit and a lighter taster of the field. The Work in Aged Care course adds two more units, Understand Body Systems in Care and Care for People with Dementia, for a broader foundation.
No. There are no entry requirements or prerequisites. The Work in Aged Care course is designed for complete beginners who want a broad introduction to the sector.
The Work in Aged Care course is non-accredited, so it is not a nationally recognised qualification under the AQF. On completion you receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Upskilled. To work in the sector you will usually need a nationally accredited qualification such as a Certificate III in Individual Support, and our consultants can help you find the right pathway.
This is a non-accredited course. It builds a broad, practical foundation across the aged care and community services industry and gives you a Certificate of Completion, which suits non-personal-care support roles and is a great way to build confidence before formal study. Because it is non-accredited, it does not count as credit towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Upskilled's accredited Short Course in Aged Care is different. It is made up of nationally recognised units of competency (a skill set) drawn from CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. Those units are formally assessed, and because they are accredited, the units you complete can count towards the full qualification and help you move into hands-on personal care roles.
Pathway to a full qualification: a common route is to start with a non-accredited course like this one to build confidence, step up to the accredited Short Course in Aged Care, then complete the full CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (ageing specialisation), the qualification most employers require for direct personal care. From there you can progress to higher qualifications in ageing or community services. Our education consultants can map the right steps for you on 1300 009 924.
Yes. Payment plans are available for the Work in Aged Care course. Get in touch with an Upskilled education advisor on 1300 009 924 and they will help you set one up.
Select Enrol Now, complete the short enrolment form with your details and payment, and you will receive your login so you can start the Work in Aged Care course straight away. Or call our education consultants on 1300 009 924.
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