Certificate IV in Ageing Support

About this course

There is very high demand for support workers in the aged care sector. This course will prepare you to provide practical support and care to clients. You will learn how to use your skills to empower older people.

The course covers the following core skills:

coordinating services for older people
palliative and dementia care
fall prevention
elderly health care and hygiene
safe work practices
legal and ethical compliance
interventions for older people at risk.

You can also choose electives in your area of interest, including:

chronic disease
mental health
health promotion
advanced first aid
grief support
workplace leadership.

Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.

Aged care support work may be available in residential, home and community-based environments. Workers provide general assistance, emotional support, care and companionship. Other job titles include personal care worker or personal carer.

The course will give you valuable experience through a minimum number of work placement hours, which must be completed to achieve this qualification.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.

To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

Unit title	Unit code
Facilitate the interests and rights of clients	CHCADV001
Facilitate the empowerment of older people	CHCAGE001
Coordinate services for older people	CHCAGE003
Implement interventions with older people at risk	CHCAGE004
Provide support to people living with dementia	CHCAGE005
Facilitate individual service planning and delivery	CHCCCS006
Meet personal support needs	CHCCCS011
Support independence and wellbeing	CHCCCS023
Support relationships with carers and families	CHCCCS025
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001
Manage legal and ethical compliance	CHCLEG003
Deliver care services using a palliative approach	CHCPAL001
Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships	CHCPRP001
Recognise healthy body systems	HLTAAP001
Follow safe work practices for direct client care	HLTWHS002

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Manage budgets and financial plans	BSBFIN501
Process and maintain workplace information	BSBINS201
Demonstrate leadership in the workplace	BSBLDR411
Lead effective workplace relationships	BSBLDR413
Maintain business resources	BSBOPS301
Implement continuous improvement	BSBSTR402
Use business software applications	BSBTEC201
Implement falls prevention strategies	CHCAGE008
Provide food service	CHCAGE012
Work in an alcohol and other drugs context	CHCAOD001
Address the needs of people with chronic disease	CHCCCS001
Develop and implement service programs	CHCCCS007
Maintain a high standard of service	CHCCCS010
Provide loss and grief support	CHCCCS017
Provide suicide bereavement support	CHCCCS018
Recognise and respond to crisis situations	CHCCCS019
Transport individuals	CHCCCS026
Identify and report abuse	CHCCCS033
Facilitate independent travel	CHCCCS034
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support	CHCCCS038
Coordinate and monitor home-based support	CHCCCS039
Use communication to build relationships	CHCCOM002
Develop and use strategies for communication with augmentative and alternative communication systems	CHCDIS014
Facilitate community participation and social inclusion	CHCDIS017
Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach	CHCDIS018
Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs	CHCDIS019
Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety	CHCDIV002
Manage and promote diversity	CHCDIV003
Plan health promotion and community intervention	CHCEDU002
Meet statutory and organisation information requirements	CHCINM001
Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs	CHCLLN001
Develop, implement and review quality framework	CHCMGT001
Manage partnership agreements with service providers	CHCMGT002
Coordinate client directed services	CHCMGT006
Work with people with mental health issues	CHCMHS001
Contribute to planning and implementation of care services using a palliative approach	CHCPAL004
Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care	CHCPAS003
Provide pastoral and spiritual care	CHCPAS004
Work with forced migrants	CHCSET003
Work with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness	CHCSOH013
Confirm physical health status	HLTAAP002
Provide support in dysphagia management	HLTAHA035
Assist in the development of meals and menus to meet dietary and cultural requirements	HLTAHA039
Assist with the monitoring and modification of meals and menus according to individualised plans	HLTAHA040
Assist with screening and management of nutritional risk	HLTAHA042
Provide First Aid	HLTAID011
Provide Advanced First Aid	HLTAID014
Follow basic food safety practices	HLTFSE001
Assist clients with medication	HLTHPS006
Administer and monitor medications	HLTHPS007
Provide or assist with oral hygiene	HLTOHC004
Inform and support patients and groups about oral health	HLTOHC008
Apply and use basic oral health products	HLTOHC009
Use basic oral health screening tools	HLTOHC010
Apply fluoride varnish	HLTOHC011
Maintain work health and safety	HLTWHS003
Manage work health and safety	HLTWHS004
Facilitate workplace-based learning	TAEDEL412
Mentor in the workplace	TAEDEL414

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Off campus
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Bendigo TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Frankston Road (Frankston)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Chisholm Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Port of Sale (Sale)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit TAFE Gippsland for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Footscray Nicholson (Footscray), Sunshine
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Victoria University for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Corryong, Online
Delivery modes: Online/off-campus, Flexible delivery, Full time on-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit Australian Institute of Flexible Learning for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Lara
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Chelsea College for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Mildura
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit MADEC Community College for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Head Office (Shepparton), Sale, Morwell
Delivery modes: Online/off-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit Partners in Training Australia for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Southbank
Delivery modes: Flexible delivery, Full time on-campus
- Visit Selmar Institute of Education for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Coburg, Braybrook, Epping, Werribee, Craigieburn
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit VICSEG New Futures for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub (Strathdale), Kyabram Community & Learning Centre (Kyabram), Morwell Neighbourhood House (Morwell), Grovedale Neighbourhood House (Grovedale), Centre for Participation (Horsham), Live delivery virtual classroom, Iramoo Community Centre (Wyndham Vale), Attwood House Community Centre (Attwood), Latham Crescent Community Centre (Dandenong North), Pakenham Hall (Pakenham), Poa Banyul Community Hub (Mount Duneed), Gordon Street Recreation Reserve (Ararat), California Gully Mechanics Institute Hall (California Gully)
Delivery modes: Online/off-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit Warner Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider