Training places for qualifications
Training opportunities for new and existing aged care workers include Fee-free TAFE and subsidised places.
Fee-free TAFE
New and existing aged care workers may be eligible for Fee-free TAFE, where they can study for an accredited diploma (for example a Diploma of Nursing), certificate (for example, the Certificate III in Individual Support) or short course (for example, the Entry into Care Roles Skillset) without having to pay tuition fees.
Fee-free places will target priority groups including:
- First Nations people
- young people aged 17 to 24 years
- job seekers
- unpaid carers
- women in non-traditional fields of study
- people with disability.
To learn more about the training places available in your state or territory, view the Your Career website.
Home Care Workforce Support Program
The Home Care Workforce Support Program provides subsidised training and supported work placement opportunities for home care workers.
A revised Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support Program is expected to commence in early 2025.
Online training
We have supported the University of Tasmania to develop the Equip Aged Care Learning modules for aged care workers, volunteers, caregivers, and anyone with an interest in improving care for older people.
These free modules cover 14 aged care topics, including:
- dementia
- palliative and end of life care
- wound and falls management
- mental health and wellbeing
- cross-cultural awareness.
Dementia care training
The Dementia Training Program will upskill more aged care workers in dementia care. Dementia Training Australia deliver this nationally accredited program.
Palliative care training
Three national palliative care projects are expanding to include residential aged care worker training. This will help older people receive better quality palliative and end-of-life care when they need it.
National palliative care projects include:
- Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach
- End-of-Life Directions for Aged Care
- Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration.
Nurse clinical placements and leadership
We are supporting nurses to enter the sector and build their careers in clinical and management leadership through:
- Transition to practice programs
- clinical placements.
Bachelor and Master of Nursing students can receive support to gain high-quality clinical placements in the care and support sector, including:
- aged care
- veterans’ care
- disability support.
Learn more about opportunities for nurses.