Learning and development

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.

Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support Program

The Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support Program provides a range of supports for personal care workers to complete high quality training and assist aged care providers to facilitate work placement opportunities.

Equip Aged Care Learning Modules – Online training

We have supported the University of Tasmania – Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre 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 a range aged care topics, including:

• Aged Care Act 2024
• Support at Home
• supporting people living with dementia
• palliative and end of life care
• trauma-informed care
• cross-cultural awareness
• promoting mental health and wellbeing
• the Aged Care Quality Standards
• wound management and pressure injury prevention

Dementia care training

The Dementia Training Program continues to upskill more aged care workers in dementia care via online and face-to-face training. Dementia Training Australia deliver this nationally accredited program.

Palliative care training

Everyone who works in aged care has an important role to play in providing high-quality palliative care. To support this, the Australian Government funds organisations to produce resources and deliver education and training courses. These resources and programs focus on palliative care skills and competencies that are common to everyone.

You can access training through the following projects:

• 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.

Diploma, Bachelor and Master (Graduate Entry) 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.

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