Why study an aged care course online?

Given that 22% (that's 8.8 million) of the Australian population is predicted to be over 65 by 2057, Australia needs a new wave of talented aged care workers. Studying aged care at a tertiary level will give you the skills needed to empower older adults, aid societal change, and pave the way for the future of this rapidly growing area.

Unlike when you study through a traditional university, you can enrol you in most of the undergraduate subjects available through our website instantly. Enrol in the subjects you’re interested in, and as soon as your study materials arrive, you can start learning online. As you start completing your subjects, you’ll eventually need to apply to your uni to formally enter your degree. Enrolling in subjects is a great way of becoming eligible and applying successfully. Check out the Registering in this degree section on the degree page you're interested in for more information. Postgraduate subjects are different. Most of them are restricted, meaning you’ll have to apply for entry and be accepted before you can start studying online. You’ll find information about the application process on the postgraduate degree page that you’re interested in. Enrolling is easy. You can enrol online or over the phone with a student advisor .

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

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 may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.

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.

Aged care courses

Choose an aged care course to help restore the sector in Australia

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Aged care

With a recent Royal Commission investigation into the quality and safety of aged care, there's a growing need for skilled workers who have studied aged care courses.

Areas you’ll explore in an aged care course

Differences and similarities in concepts of ageing and disability
Social, mental, and physical traits of an ageing society
Strategies to empower older adults to live independently
Foundations of community health work
Interdisciplinary ways of thinking and problem-solving skills

Explore aged care courses

ADELAIDE_March171U3A6359-512 — Debbie studied community development with Murdoch University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover aged care courses

Online aged care subjects and short courses

UndergraduateTAS-FXA101

Creativity for Life

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 22 Jul 2024, 04 Nov 2024

Explore details

UndergraduateUSA-NURS1067

Mental Health, Dementia and Challenging Behaviours

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 24 Jun 2024

Explore details

UndergraduateTAS-FXA303

Creative Arts, Play and Mental Wellbeing

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Explore details

UndergraduateTAS-CAD101

Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia

100% online

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Starts 04 Nov 2024

Explore details

View all subjects

Online aged care degrees

UndergraduateTAS-AHC-DIP

Diploma of Applied Health and Community Support

Learn how to support people's health and wellbeing

Prepare for work or study in health, disability, mental health, aged care, and social services. You’ll become an asset with your approach to quality, person-centred support. Get to know today’s health services and think about where you might fit.

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Explore details

PostgraduateECU-CCO-GCE

Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Care of the Older Person

100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

Explore details

UndergraduateUNE-CWW-DIP

Diploma in Community Welfare and Wellbeing

Nurture individuals and communities

Follow, or build upon, your natural urge to protect and nurture those around you. Develop skills that form the core of care professions. Gain a pathway into a degree in nursing, social work or community services.

100% online

1 year full time or part time equivalent

No ATAR required. Start with a subject.

Explore details

PostgraduateGRF-HSS-GCE

Graduate Certificate in Human Services

Get set to make a difference to your community

Get set to make things better for people and the broader community. Complete core topics to prepare you for work in the human services sector. Choose an elective to give you specialist knowledge in childhood, disability, aged care or community work.

100% online

6 months full time or part time equivalent

Explore details

View all bachelor degrees

Discover 89 ways to study aged care with leading Australian universities.

Explore aged care courses

Need help choosing the right course?

Our student advisors are here to guide you with expert advice on:

Enrolling and planning your studies
Finding a study option that suits your needs
Understanding your funding options

When would you like to chat?

Let me pick a time

Find a time that suits you for a free 1:1 consultation with a student advisor.

Call me anytime

A student advisor will call you, usually within 30 minutes during business hours.

Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us

Student reviews

We support thousands of students on their study journey every year

Our advisors are here to help with your study goals from enrolment to completion 7 days a week.

Aged care study FAQs

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.

Career paths in aged care

As with any area of rapid growth, we’re like to see entirely new job titles created within aged care in coming years. For now, there are plenty of current career opportunities for those who choose to study an aged care course:

Assistant in Nursing (AIN)
Aged care supervisor
Aged care facility manager
Dementia specialist
Aged care facility auditor
Caregiver for in-home assistance
Care services coordinator

Student stories and study advice

5 inspiring reasons to pursue a community services career

You could support people living with disability, advocate for those suffering a health crisis, or assist those experiencing family violence. Find out why a career in community services can be rewarding and varied.

5 rewarding jobs in disability services (that aren’t support work)

If you’re drawn to a career that sees you making a difference in people’s lives every day, disability services could be your perfect fit, even if support work isn’t your goal.

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament explained

Unclear on the Voice to Parliament? Here’s what you need to know about Australia’s upcoming referendum, which will decide if Indigenous Australians can advise on matters that affect their lives.

What is a Bachelor of Social Work?

A Bachelor of Social Work is your must-have qualification to become a social worker. With it, you’ll help individuals, groups and communities heal, exercise their rights and determine their own lives.

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 515,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.