This degree is closed to new applications. You may be interested in other courses in Aged care
Diploma of Dementia Care
UndergraduateTAS-DEC-DIP2024
Course information for 2024 intake
Make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia
Develop a specialised understanding of dementia and explore the special type of care that’s required. This course is open to anyone interested in learning about dementia and presents pathways to rewarding careers within the growing aged care industry.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Dementia Care
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Describe structure, function and dysfunction of the nervous system in the major diseases causing dementias
- Discuss the multidisciplinary evidence for approaches to optimise the health and social care of older people including those living with dementia
- Explain collaborative, person-centred approaches to inclusion, support and care of diverse people living with dementia and their families
With the rise in prevalence in dementia and the need to provide quality care in the community, health care centres and hospitals, and in residential care, it is becoming essential that health care workers in aged care develop specialised knowledge in this field so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.
This program has been developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, global leaders in dementia education with a mission to transform the understanding of dementia worldwide.
Offered fully online with no face to face or workplace assessment components, this program is designed to be undertaken by a wide range of personal and professional carers and others who work and interact with people living with dementia around the globe.
Program Objectives
Dementia is a neurological condition that affects tens of millions of people across the globe, posing significant challenges to people living with dementia, their families, communities and the health care sector. The Diploma of Dementia Care provides students with a deep knowledge of dementia, the changes that occur in the brain, the behaviours and needs associated with changes, and practical strategies necessary to help care for people living with dementia.
A condition as serious as dementia requires a special type of care – and a special type of person to provide it. Our program will develop your specialised understanding of dementia so that you can make a positive difference to the lives of people living with dementia. Learn from our global experts, with all our education programs informed by the latest research evidence.
Students will gain advanced problem-solving skills, along with an understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice. Upon completion of the Diploma you will be prepared for a range of career paths in the aged care and health sector.
- There are no exams, assessments may include quizzes, discussion boards, essays and presentations.
- Flexible full-time and part-time study options are available
- Each subject will require 8-10 hours each week of study
- A full-time study load is 3-4 subjects; part-time study is 1-2 subjects per semester
- Students who are new to online learning, are returning to study or are currently in the workforce are advised to consider part-time enrolment in their first semester
- We have dedicated Student Advisors to guide your learning
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended:
Completion of 8 core subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-CAD005 Neurospeak Online
- TAS-CAD101 Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia
- TAS-CAD104 Principles of Supportive Care for People With Dementia
- TAS-CAD115 Health Services for an Ageing Population
- TAS-CAD116 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
- TAS-CAD117 Effective Communication for Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD122 Culturally Respectful and Safe Care for Aboriginal People with Dementia
- Choose one of the following subjects:
- TAS-CAD003 Foundations of University Study in Dementia Care***
- TAS-CAD121 The Global Challenge of Understanding Dementia***
***TAS-CAD003 is recommended for students who have not studied at a tertiary level in the past 10 years
***TAS-CAD121 is recommended for students who have studied at a tertiary level in the past 10 years
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 8 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 1-4 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
All students currently admitted into this program, who have yet to complete CAD113, are required to study CAD122 in place of CAD113 in their study plan.
Student who have completed CAD113, are not required to study CAD122.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $10,270
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
Partially completed an undergraduate course (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any subjects the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
Successful completion of any two OUA open access subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Completed Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or equivalent
Completed Certificate III or higher, in any discipline.
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and/or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course. Your personal competency statement should reference:
- Extensive or sustained work experience ; or
- Completion of the Understanding Dementia MOOC and/or the Preventing Dementia MOOC ; or
- Personal connection to someone living with dementia, in a paid or non-paid capacity.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. We consider applicants from a broad range of life experiences and backgrounds, those with professional learning or formal study qualifications and skills and those entering University study as a mature age students with little previous formal qualifications and/ or experience in this field, and year 12 leavers.
There are no formal pre-requisites, however, a good level of computer competency and willingness to engage in online learning is highly recommended.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Over 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia; this number increases every year. The impact on communities, families, governments and health professionals will be significant as these numbers increase. Our workforce is currently ill equipped to help care for such large numbers of people living with dementia – by 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 900,000 people in Australia living with dementia.
Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service, and allied health, may find study in this program advantageous. The Diploma of Dementia Care is particularly relevant to aged care workers and health professionals wishing to develop their knowledge of dementia, to increase their confidence when working with people living with dementia and to enhance their practice. Hear from our current students and graduates
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Aged and Disabled Carers | $60K to $74K | Up 67.4% |
| Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
| Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers | $75K to $93K | Up 29.8% |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.