Certificate III vs Certificate IV in Aged Care
How CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support and CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support differ, what each unlocks, and the usual pathway between them.
On this page
If you are starting or growing a career in Australian Aged Care, two qualifications come up again and again: the Certificate III in Individual Support and the Certificate IV in Ageing Support. They sit at different points on the career ladder, unlock different roles, and are usually completed in sequence rather than instead of one another. This guide explains what each one covers, what it lets you do, and how workers typically move from one to the other.
Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021)
The Certificate III in Individual Support, qualification code CHC33021, is the standard entry point into hands-on Aged Care. It reflects the role of a worker who provides person-centred support under supervision and delegation, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, following an individualised care plan.
The qualification has ageing and disability specialisations, so the same code can prepare you for residential Aged Care, home and community care, or disability support depending on the units you choose.
Typical things you learn at this level:
- Supporting independence and wellbeing for older people
- Providing individualised, person-centred support
- Following care plans and reporting changes
- Safe work practices, manual handling and infection control
- Communicating respectfully with clients, families and the care team
To complete CHC33021 you must finish a minimum amount of supervised work placement (commonly cited as at least 120 hours), so you finish with real experience, not just classroom learning.
What it unlocks: most direct-care and personal care worker roles, often titled assistant in nursing (AIN), personal care worker or care support worker.
Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015)
The Certificate IV in Ageing Support, qualification code CHC43015, introduces more advanced concepts in delivering quality Aged Care. It is commonly used to prepare senior care workers, team leaders and supervisors.
Where the Certificate III is about delivering person-centred care, the Certificate IV adds coordination, leadership and more complex care responsibilities.
Typical things you learn at this level:
- Coordinating services and care plans for clients
- Supporting people with complex needs, including dementia and palliative care
- Working within a legal and ethical framework
- Leading and mentoring less experienced staff
- Supporting skill development and quality improvement
What it unlocks: senior care roles, team leader and care coordinator positions, and a stronger footing for further study toward enrolled or registered nursing.
A qualification is not a screening check
Neither certificate replaces worker screening. For Aged Care from 1 November 2025, screening means a National Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) under 3 years old or an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. Your qualification proves competence; screening confirms you are cleared to work.
The usual pathway: Cert III, experience, then Cert IV
Most Aged Care careers follow a clear progression rather than jumping straight to the top.
- Complete the Certificate III in Individual Support and start in a personal care or AIN role.
- Build practical experience on the floor, in homes or in the community, getting comfortable with care plans, documentation and working in a team.
- Move into the Certificate IV in Ageing Support when you are ready to take on coordination, mentoring or supervisory work.
If you enrol in CHC43015 as a stand-alone course, training organisations generally expect you to already hold a Certificate III in Individual Support, or equivalent, because the Certificate IV builds on the person-centred care skills the Certificate III teaches. Doing them in order means each stage reinforces the last.
This pathway also connects to broader career options. Plenty of workers use a Certificate IV as a stepping stone toward an enrolled nurse diploma or a nursing degree. For how those clinical roles compare, see registered nurse, enrolled nurse and AIN roles in Aged Care.
Which one is right for you?
There is no single right answer; it depends on where you are in your career.
- Choose the Certificate III if you are entering Aged Care for the first time and want hands-on, person-centred care work. It is the qualification most direct-care job ads ask for.
- Choose the Certificate IV if you already have experience and want to move into coordination, leadership or more complex care, or set yourself up for further study.
A Certificate III plus years of experience and short courses can be a complete and rewarding career on its own. The Certificate IV is about widening your scope, not about being the only way to progress. For more on roles, rates and progression, see Aged Care support worker pay and progression.
How qualifications fit your Career Passport
Whichever path you take, your qualification is one of several credentials a provider needs to see before you can work. Koora treats your qualifications as credentials in your Career Passport: a portable record you build once and reuse across Aged Care jobs.
When you add a qualification, Koora checks it against what your roles require and holds it alongside your screening, first aid and other records in one place. Once you share your Career Passport with a provider, or a provider asks for access, a person reviews the document. Your provider keeps the legal responsibility for who they engage, so the review supports their checks rather than replacing them. Your Career Passport shows your current status when a report is run, so you are not chasing paperwork every time you start a new role.
If you are just getting started, the broader steps are covered in how to become an Aged Care worker.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Certificate IV to work in Aged Care?
No. The Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) is the standard entry qualification for hands-on personal care roles. A Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) is for senior, coordination or team leadership positions. Many Aged Care workers build a full career on a Certificate III plus ongoing training.
Can I go straight into a Certificate IV in Ageing Support?
It is possible, but most providers and registered training organisations expect you to already hold a Certificate III in Individual Support, or equivalent, plus some hands-on experience. The Certificate IV builds on person-centred care skills, so completing the Certificate III first gives you the practical grounding it assumes.
Does a qualification replace police or worker screening checks?
No. Your qualification proves your skills, but it is separate from screening. Aged Care screening from 1 November 2025 requires either a National Police Check under 3 years old or an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. You still need that screening regardless of which certificate you hold.
This is general information, not compliance advice. Always confirm requirements with the relevant regulator, and remember that providers keep the legal responsibility to sight credentials and decide who can work.
We work hard to keep everything accurate, and our compliance engine keeps up with the rules as they change. Even so, we might get a detail slightly wrong or miss something. No one's perfect. If you think something here needs updating, email us at resources@koora.care. We would genuinely rather know, because we all do better when we help each other get it right.
Your credentials, ready for every job.
Add your checks, certificates and expiry dates once, then share your Career Passport with each new employer instead of uploading the same documents again. Free for care workers.