Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
Australia offers 56 courses for elderly care courses in 2026, ranging from Short Courses to Graduate Certificate. You can study courses for elderly care fully online or on-campus through registered RTOs, TAFEs, and universities. Courses typically take 4 months to 2 years to complete. Graduates commonly move into roles such as Care Assistant, Home Care Assistant or Residential Support Worker, with many programmes eligible for state-subsidised or fee-free TAFE places.


Displaying 18 of 18 courses
In Australia, courses for elderly care are nationally recognised training programmes that prepare students to support older people in home, residential and community settings. Study options range from short skill sets to Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Graduate Certificate levels. Typical subjects cover personal care, infection control, dementia support, and communication. Many options sit within the broader aged care training package.
Across Australia, courses for elderly care generally run from 4 months to 2 years, depending on level and study load. Short courses and skill sets are often completed in 4–6 months part-time. A Certificate III or IV commonly takes 6–12 months, while Diploma and Graduate Certificate programmes can take 12–24 months. Self-paced and online delivery can extend or shorten these timeframes.
Yes, many courses for elderly care are offered fully online, alongside blended and on-campus options through RTOs, TAFEs and universities. Theory units can often be completed via virtual classrooms, e-learning platforms and online assessments. However, practical skills must usually be demonstrated during on-site work placements in aged care or home care facilities. Prospective students can compare flexible options through dedicated online courses listings.
Tuition fees vary widely, with short courses usually costing less than longer Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma or Graduate Certificate programmes that can run up to 2 years. Public TAFEs may offer lower fees than private providers, especially for eligible concession-card holders. Many students can access government support such as VET Student Loans, fee-free TAFE places, JobTrainer initiatives or state-subsidised training. Exact costs depend on provider, state and delivery mode.
Completing a courses for elderly care qualification can lead to roles such as Care Assistant, Care Service Employee, Home Care Assistant and Residential Support Worker. Graduates may also work as a Personal Care Worker in aged care homes, retirement villages or community care services. Some move into specialised support positions focusing on dementia care or palliative care. Career information for a Care Assistant role is outlined in the Care Assistant career guide.