How to become an Aged Care worker in Australia
The qualifications, screening and steps to start a career in Aged Care, from the Certificate III in Individual Support to your first job.
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Aged Care is one of Australia's fastest-growing areas of work, and the path in is clearer than many people expect. This guide walks through the qualification, the checks and the steps to land your first role.
Step 1: Get the qualification
The standard starting qualification for direct care is the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021), usually with an ageing specialisation. You study it through a registered training organisation (RTO) such as a TAFE or a private provider.
A few practical points:
- It usually takes six months to a year, full or part time.
- It includes a mandatory work placement of around 120 hours, where you put your training into practice in a real care setting.
- Entry requirements are modest: you generally need to be 18 or over (or 17 with guardian permission) and pass a basic language, literacy and numeracy assessment.
Many states offer Fee-Free TAFE places for this qualification, so the course can be free or heavily subsidised. Check your state or territory training authority for current eligibility.
Step 2: Pass your screening
Before you can start, you need to be screened. From 1 November 2025, every Aged Care worker must hold either a National Police Check (Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check) issued within the last three years or an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, under the Aged Care worker screening requirements set by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Your employer will tell you which they require. The Aged Care screening requirements guide explains both options.
Step 3: Build the rest of your credentials
Most employers will also expect:
- A current first aid certificate (HLTAID011) and CPR (HLTAID009)
- Manual handling and infection control training
- Sometimes additional training such as dementia care or medication assistance
These are the credentials you will carry from job to job, so it helps to keep them organised from the start.
Step 4: Find your first role
Aged Care work spans residential facilities and home care, and roles range from personal care assistant to support worker. With your Certificate III, screening and first aid in place, you are ready to apply through job boards like Seek and Indeed. Your Career Passport is what you carry into those roles once you land them.
Carry your credentials with you
Every new employer asks for the same documents. A free Career Passport lets you upload your qualification, screening and training once and share them with any employer that uses Koora, so onboarding is faster and you are not re-sending certificates for every job. Koora checks what you upload against what your roles require, and a person reviews the documents once you share them.
Where it can lead
Aged Care is a career, not just a job. From a Certificate III you can move into a Certificate IV in Ageing Support, into specialist roles, or across into disability support, where many credentials carry over. If you are weighing both, read how to become a disability support worker.
Authoritative sources
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (training.gov.au)
- Screening requirements for the Aged Care workforce (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing)
- NDIS Worker Screening (NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission)
Frequently asked questions
What qualification do I need to work in Aged Care?
Most direct-care roles ask for a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021), usually with an ageing specialisation. Some entry roles may take you on while you study, but the Certificate III is the standard starting qualification.
How long does the Certificate III take?
Typically six months to a year, depending on the registered training organisation and whether you study full or part time. It includes a mandatory work placement of around 120 hours.
Do I need a police check or NDIS clearance?
Yes. From 1 November 2025, every Aged Care worker needs either a National Police Check under three years old or an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance. Your employer will confirm which you need before you start.
Is there free training available?
Often, yes. Many states offer Fee-Free TAFE places for the Certificate III in Individual Support. Check your state or territory training authority for current eligibility.
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.