Your 120 hour aged care work placement: what to expect and how to prepare

Work placement is where your training becomes real. Every accredited course at Encourage Training College includes at least 120 hours of vocational placement in a registered aged care or disability facility. Distance students complete an extra 40 hours. Here is how it works and how to get the most out of it.

Who organises your placement

ETC manages placement for you and does its best to find a facility close to home. Tell us your availability early, because limited or irregular availability means a longer wait. If you know a facility you would like to work at, you can arrange your own placement. We first set up an agreement with that facility, then you complete the placement workbook as normal.

Shifts and timing

Placement runs on weekdays. There is no weekend placement, although some aged care facilities can offer evening shifts. Once your placement is booked around the availability you gave us, it cannot be cancelled without a genuine reason such as a medical emergency.

Checks to sort out before you start

Facilities need to know you are safe to work with residents. Depending on the facility you may need a police certificate, an NDIS Worker Screening Check or a Working with Children Check. Apply early, because some take a few weeks. Our article on the checks you need to work in care explains each one.

How to make your placement count

Arrive early, in uniform, with your workbook and ID.
Ask questions. Your supervisor expects it, and it shows you care about doing the job properly.
Practise what you learned in our simulated care room: manual handling, personal care and communication.
Fill in your workbook as you go, not at the end.
Treat it like a job interview. The people supervising you could be your first employer or referee.

Placement is part of the Certificate III in Individual Support, both Certificate IV courses and the Assistant in Nursing course. Current students can find placement information on the student information page.