Complete guide to Australia's specialist aged care qualification. Compare RTOs, understand state requirements, and plan your career pathway.
18-24
Months to complete
$0-$12K
Cost range
180K
Jobs by 2030
$55-68K
Annual salary
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is a nationally recognized qualification designed for workers who want to specialize in aged care support roles. This qualification prepares you to work across residential aged care facilities, home care services, and community-based aged care programs.
Unlike the Certificate III in Individual Support (which focuses on basic personal care), Certificate IV equips you with advanced skills in service coordination, dementia care, palliative care, and care planning. You'll learn to work autonomously and supervise others in complex aged care environments.
Let's be honest: aged care isn't glamorous, and Certificate IV isn't cheap. But the numbers tell a compelling story about job security and earning potential in a sector that desperately needs qualified workers.
The reality check: Certificate IV graduates earn $5,000-$10,000 more annually than Certificate III holders. With Australia's aged care workforce shortage projected to reach 180,000 workers by 2030, job security is virtually guaranteed.
All aged care workers in Australia must complete worker screening before employment. Requirements vary by state, with costs ranging from $42-$120 and processing times of 2-6 weeks.
| State | Screening Type | Cost | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NDIS Worker Screening | $80 | 2-4 weeks |
| VIC | NDIS Worker Screening | $116 | 3-5 weeks |
| QLD | Yellow Card + NDIS | $93.55 | 2-3 weeks |
| WA | NDIS Worker Screening | $120 | 4-6 weeks |
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Quick answers to common questions
Typically 18-24 months depending on study mode. Full-time students can complete in 18 months, while part-time study extends to 24 months.
No prior aged care experience required, but you must complete 120 hours of supervised work placement during the course.
Certificate IV focuses on coordination and specialist care (dementia, palliative), while Certificate III covers basic personal care tasks.
Most RTOs offer blended delivery (online theory + in-person practical). Fully online study is not possible due to mandatory work placement.
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is a nationally recognized qualification designed for workers who want to specialize in aged care support roles. This qualification prepares you to work across residential aged care facilities, home care services, and community-based aged care programs.
Unlike the Certificate III in Individual Support (which focuses on basic personal care), Certificate IV equips you with advanced skills in service coordination, dementia care, palliative care, and care planning. You'll learn to work autonomously and supervise others in complex aged care environments.
This qualification is ideal for:
Australia faces a critical aged care workforce shortage, with an estimated 180,000 additional workers needed by 2030. The federal government's Aged Care Workforce Strategy prioritizes Certificate IV-qualified workers for specialist and coordination roles.
Employment prospects are strong: 72% of Certificate IV graduates find employment within 6 months of completion. Job security is high, with aged care consistently listed among Australia's top growth industries.
Learn what CHC43015 covers, how long it takes, and what career outcomes you can expect. Explore the 14 core units and 4 electives that make up this qualification.
Certificate IV graduates earn $55,000-$68,000 annually. Understand the true costs, hidden fees, and ROI before enrolling. Compare free vs paid options.
Worker screening requirements vary by state. Learn about police checks, NDIS screening, costs ($42-$120), and the new 2026 national system.
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