How an Individual Support Course Prepares You for a Job in Aged Care

How an individual support course prepares you for an aged care job

Wondering how to start a career in aged care? It takes a compassionate and caring person to want to help those in need. We find it commendable that you’re looking to continue your education in this way.

At Global Business College of Australia, we want to support you in your journey.

To pursue aged care in Melbourne, we recommend taking our individual support course. Need help making the decision? We’ve put together this in-depth look at what to expect from studying a certificate III in Individual Support.

What Will You Learn from an Individual Support Course?

Aged care courses help you build knowledge and practical skills in the field so that you can properly care for those in need. Not only will you need to know some health care basics, but you’ll also need to be knowledgeable about the law, ethics, and communicating effectively. Further, you’ll need hands-on practice regarding dealing with people and solving problems quickly.

Once you are positive that you meet all the entry requirements for the certificate, read on to learn about the structure and details of the course.

Course Features

The Global Business College of Australia Individual Support Course has four main features that make up its structure. To receive your Certificate III in Individual Support, you must complete all the requirements of each feature. The course officially runs for 52 weeks at 20 hours per week.

Further broken down, the length of the course consists of:

  • 30 weeks of internal training
  • 6 weeks of vocational placement
  • 4 weeks of catch-up class, reassessments, and additional placements if necessary
  • 12 weeks of holidays

Overall, the certificate provides the knowledge you need to succeed in your aged care career. One of the most important components of your education, however, is the hands-on practice you’ll receive with our program.

The first feature is practical work placements, in which each enrolled student must complete at least 120 hours of work. Thankfully, you won’t have to find work on your own. At GBCA, we have partnerships with local employers who regularly welcome our students into entry-level roles.

When it’s time to place you in a work environment, the CBCA Work Placement Coordinator will help you find and apply for a position. If you’d like to find work on your own, you are more than welcome to do so.

As a part of your work placement, you must complete a project, portfolio, and journal.

The second feature is the simulation task. The simulation task will be one of the methods of your assessment in which you’ll prove your knowledge during a simulated real-life situation.

The third feature is role play, in which you’ll participate in activities with your peers. In this feature, you’ll learn about many common situations you could encounter and build your skills in response.

Finally, you’ll be assessed with a supervisor report of your work during the program.

Course Units

At GBCA, we pride ourselves on providing a well-rounded education in aged care. To offer the best education, we combine rigorous coursework with practical skills. In our program, we provide units in which you’ll learn how to:

  • Provide individualised and personal support for patients in a person-centred way
  • Support the independence and well being of patients and empower aged people
  • Effectively communicate and function within health or community services, especially in a diverse environment
  • Follow procedures and safe practices, including infection prevention and control, while conforming to legal and ethical guidelines
  • Understand and recognise the healthy function of the body, signs of dementia, and how to support those with special needs

Throughout the program, you’ll take specialised aged care courses and disability care courses so that you can work to support aged and disabled patients.

Overall, the goal of this program is to teach you how to support and empower aged patients in their daily lives with person-centred care. Bolstered with the knowledge of healthy body functions, legal and ethical procedures, and how to work well within a health care environment, you’ll become a successful aged care assistant or support worker.

 

Transitioning Into Your Career

It’s great to understand the structure of the program and what’s required of you, but what’s important is how you’ll transition into your career. Because our program is built on practical knowledge, you’ll already be immersed in the work environment and building your skills. Once you graduate from the program, you can choose to go into several positions.

As someone with an education and work experience in individual support, you can find work in many different venues. You’ll be qualified to work as a personal care worker, an aged care support worker, or a disability support worker. These qualifications will allow you to apply for work at:

  • Nursing homes
  • Retirement villages
  • Aged care centres
  • Home care
  • Residential aged care facilities

As an aged care support worker, you’ll support and empower elderly patients both physically and emotionally. You’ll be equipped to provide help in daily tasks and clinical care. As a professional in disability support, you’ll provide similar support to those with disabilities and work with other professionals to bolster mental and physical well-being.

With close relationships with local employers, graduates of the program can easily find internships and vocational placements as well as full-time careers. Outside our network, you can find work due to your education at an accredited school and program. The course is Nationally Recognised Training accredited and Australian Qualifications Framework accredited.

Kickstart Your Aged Care Career

Whether you’re wondering how to start a career in disability care or aged care, you’ll no longer have to ask, “Where can I study an aged care course in Melbourne?” At Global Business College of Australia, we have all the knowledge and experience you need.

Ready to get started? Sign up for our newsletter to get more information about the Individual Support Course, and contact our team to get started on your journey!

Is Childcare A Great Career Choice For You?

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The Australian government has brought forward an increase in the childcare subsidy that was due to start in July 2022 to March 2022.

The additional subsidies apply to 250,000 families with their CCS (childcare subsidy) rate increasing by 30% percentage points for their second child, up to a maximum of 95%.

According to The Australia Institute, “Each dollar of additional childcare funding is nearly 20 times better at creating jobs than income tax cuts.”   

The Australia Institute

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee has projected that  “The sector expects to experience strong growth over the next five years. Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher job roles will experience the largest relative growth in the sector, growing by 22% or reaching 9,000 jobs by 2023. In absolute terms, childcarers are expected to experience the largest surge in jobs, with a forecast of 27,600 jobs growth by 2023. Other noteworthy strong job growth trends over the next five years will be experienced by education aides (20.8% or 18,800 jobs), child care centre managers (20.9% growth to 16,000 jobs), primary school teachers (9.6% or 16,300 jobs) and secondary school teachers (7.1% or 9,900 jobs). “

This is encouraging news for those who are considering a career in early childhood education.  

Considering starting a career in early childhood education and care? Here is what you need to know to help you get started. 

There is a wide range of early childhood education roles in Australia, choosing the right career path is important. It is recommended to learn about the roles available in the market, and the responsibilities each role requires. 

Suggested Topic: Five Main responsibilities of a childcare educator 

What is required to start a career in childcare? 

Accredited vocational education and training (VET) qualifications in early childhood education, such as:

  • CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
  • CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. 

Other requirements (These requirements might differ from one employer to another):

  • A current Working with Children Check
  • First Aid Certification and Anaphylaxis Training
  • National Policy Check
  • NDIS Worker Screening Check
  • The Right to Work in Australia

What are the common positions in early childhood education available in the market? 

Early Childhood Educators (ECE)   

As an Early Childhood Educator, you will not only ensure that the children you are teaching are safe, happy and stimulated, you will also be responsible for assessing their development and creating plans that allow them to grow both intellectually and socially. An ECE job is most often involved with infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children. You can work in a variety of locations including preschools, child care centres, kindergartens and some primary school classrooms. Full-time Early Childhood Educators earn around $1,488 per week. 1

Childcare workers (daycare workers)   

Childcare workers are the backbone of the childcare industry. They look after and teach children in a childcare centre, or family daycare.

They work hard to ensure all children in their care are happy, healthy and safe. They take on many responsibilities such as caring for the children, preparing snacks and meals, changing nappies and bottle-feeding. Childcare workers are required to have knowledge of and be in compliance with all policies and procedures about child services and security. Develop and facilitate activity programs for children based on their support plan. Full-time childcare/daycare workers earn around $953 per week. 2

Childcare Centre Manager   

A Childcare Centre Manager will oversee the smooth operation of the facility, ensuring that it remains in compliance with regulations and the children’s needs and interests are well looked after. They could be involved in the hiring and training of childcare workers and early childhood educators, and in overseeing their performance. In addition to contributing to planning the educational programming, and consulting with parents on their children’s progress.

Generally, Centre Manager start their careers as childcare workers and require 5-10 years of experience working within a centre or daycare.

Full-time Childcare Centre Managers on an adult wage earn around $1,272 per week. Earnings tend to be lower when starting and higher as experience grows.3

Out Of School Hours (OOSH) Assistant  

An OOSH assistant will provide care for children before and after school. They usually work in a primary school or high school. The job of the OOSH assistant is to watch over the children and provide them with activities to perform, including games and educational tasks.

Teacher’s Aide  

A teacher’s aide assists teachers in preschools, primary schools or high schools. They help prepare to copy and collating written and printed teaching materials, and supervise the children. Full-time Teacher’s Aide workers earn around $1,094 per week.

Au Pair / Nanny   

An au pair is a childcare worker who lives with a family and looks after their children. They will tend to the children’s basic needs and may also tutor them. The hours that an au pair works can vary depending on the requirements of the employer. In return for their time, the au pair receives a small salary, accommodation and food.

A nanny is employed to look after a child in their home. A nanny is similar to a babysitter but usually spends more hours with the children and is more involved in their lives. They are typically more experienced and qualified than a babysitter or au pair. They also work longer hours and receive higher remuneration.

Talented and experienced Au Pair and nannies are in high demand and can find employment anywhere in the world.

I want to specialise in childcare, where can I start? 

The global business college of Australia (GBCA), is a nationally recognised training organisation based in Melbourne, Victoria. Our college currently delivers training courses in business, IT, accounting aged care, and childcare. To learn about our courses, get in touch with our consultants for a free consultation. Or visit our website to learn more about our courses: