Certificate III or Certificate IV in aged care: which should you study?

If you want to work in aged care, the first decision is which qualification to start with. At Encourage Training College in Auburn the two most popular choices are the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) and the CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support. Here is how they compare.

You do not need experience for either

Both are entry-level qualifications, so you can enrol in either one without working in care first. Before you enrol you complete a short Pre-Training Review, which helps us match the course to the job you want.

Certificate III in Individual Support

This is where most people start. You learn to give person-centred support to older people and people with disability at home, in residential aged care and in the community. Topics include individualised support, independence and wellbeing, dementia support, safe work practices and working legally and ethically.

• Course length: 35 weeks, including 3 weeks of work placement and a 2 week study break
• Work placement: at least 120 hours in a registered aged care or disability facility
• Jobs it leads to: personal care worker, community support worker, respite care worker, disability services worker

Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Certificate IV goes further. It covers medication assistance, complex care needs, dementia and palliative care, and coordinating services for older people. The medication training is the biggest difference: it prepares you to assist residents with their medication.

• Course length: 39 weeks, including holidays and 3 weeks of work placement
• Work placement: 120 hours in an aged care setting
• Jobs it leads to: senior personal care worker, aged care team leader, care supervisor, community care coordinator

Which one is right for you?

Choose Certificate III if you want the fastest route into care work, or you also want to keep disability support open as an option. Choose Certificate IV if you already know aged care is your path and you want medication skills and a step towards team leader roles from the start. You can also finish Certificate III, work for a while, then come back for Certificate IV.

Still not sure? Read our frequently asked questions or talk to our team. New intakes start every month.