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Overview of Community and Aged Care
Aged care courses provide insights into caring for an elderly person, and the range of palliative care services that are available to allow the aged to maintain their dignities and quality of life.
Community care courses have many different branches that you can specialise in. Some of these courses include domestic violence assistance services, family services, residential care and migrant settlement services.
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Studying Community and Aged Care
Higher degrees are not essential for a career in providing community and aged care services.
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions offer community and aged care certificates and diplomas which can last from between six months to two years. A Certificate III in Aged Care will qualify you for work at a residential care facility. You can also pursue higher education at a university with your technical qualifications or work experience.
Higher education institutions offer a three to four-year undergraduate programme, such as a Bachelor of Social Work degree, which can provide more in-depth study into the psychological, social and cultural contexts of providing community and aged care welfare services.
Postgraduate options, often offered as correspondence or distant learning courses, are also available for professionals in the community and social welfare services.
Careers in Community and Aged Care
As a community care worker, you will work with individuals who are struggling with their personal life circumstances. Aged care workers may work with elderly people who have dementia, or difficulties with movement and speech.
You can choose to work in a community home, private and public hospitals or aged care facility as a community welfare worker, home-based assistant to private individuals, personal care assistant or as a welfare administrator.
Skills needed in Community and Aged Care
You may be required to possess first aid certification, or first aid certification for senior citizens. You may also be required to hold knowledge on occupational, health and safety procedures.
More information
Community & Welfare Services
Children Services
Palliative Care
Youth Services