Diploma in Aged Care

Study On Demand – this is a 100% online aged care qualification designed specifically for online learning.

With UniSA Online, you can take full control over your study, access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

The Diploma in Aged Care qualification takes just twelve months to complete and is an opportunity to start your career or upskill in one of Australia's fastest-growing sectors.

The program offers a pathway into UniSA if you don’t meet the direct entry requirements for the degree you wish to study.

Depending on your area of interest, you could go on to study a range of bachelor degrees in health, nursing, or any other allied health areas.

Both the Professional Certificate in Aged Care and the Diploma in Aged Care have been developed in collaboration with leading aged care providers.

Study course content that has been mapped to relevant standards which include the Aged Care Quality Standards and the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria: Work and life experience (for domestic students only)

• Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have work experience, or
• Completed a UniSA Foundations Studies program or equivalent, or
• Qualify for Special Entry

OR Recent secondary education

• Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification

OR

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate III or above

OR

Higher education study

• Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

In your diploma, you’ll complete eight courses covering a diverse range of topics.

Study a range of topics including first aid, CPR, manual handling, infection control and hand hygiene. Learn to communicate effectively in order to care for people with dementia. Understand diversity and cultural safety as well as the importance of reporting and escalating issues that may arise when working with clients. Learn to develop a meaningful program of activity for older people that supports participation and engagement and improves their health and wellbeing.

Explore how mental health issues impact a person’s behaviour and learn strategies to facilitate engagement in activities. Build your knowledge of goal setting and action plans to reinforce the practice of healthy activities. Learn the roles and responsibilities that different team members play and in turn, enhance your teamwork and collaboration skills.

Your qualification will prepare you to transition into the aged care workforce. Learn about workplace practices, standards and expectations, and supervisory practices. Come out with the skills to develop your professional network and strategies for seeking employment in aged care.

Note: students who study the first four courses can exit with an Undergraduate Degree in Aged Care.

Studying 100% online means you can engage with course materials at your own pace, whenever it suits you – there is no need to be online at a particular time. It’s flexible around your life so you can control your study schedule week by week. As a general rule, we recommend 10 to 15 hours of study a week for each course.

All assessments, including exams (if required) are 100% online, meaning you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or find an exam venue.

Some of your assessments may include:

Your career

Australia’s ageing population is growing, and with it, there is increased demand for professional support workers. The number of people requiring aged care is set to double by the year 2050, with 179,000 job openings predicted over the next five years1.

Careers to consider:

• Aged care worker
• Actively support elderly people to remain living independently through the provision of social support, personal care and domestic assistance; provide transportation to medical appointments, shops and social activities; help with personal care duties such as showering, grooming and dressing; and assist with domestic and housekeeping activities such as cooking, cleaning and laundry washing.
• Residential support worker
• Support clients to live independent lives in their own homes; deliver a range of services according to the care requirements and care plans of each client; enable each client to have the opportunity to succeed at the activities of daily living which promote dignity, respect and maintain their quality of life and abilities; work with a range of clients such as people with a disability, children and youth who live in residential care.
• Community support worker
• Promote the dignity and positive image of clients within the community; facilitate client communication and enhance their choice and decision-making processes; assist clients in all aspects of personal care; and promote and encourage community inclusion, networking opportunities and social activities; and encourage and arrange various activities to help stimulate them physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Recreational and lifestyle support coordinators
• Assist and support an individual in developing skills and abilities as well as managing self-care tasks that will maximise their independence and confidence in their everyday lives. Assist clients with tasks and activities to build life skills and connect with their community.

1joboutlook.gov.au

Our online career-focused degrees give you full control and ultimate flexibility over your study. It’s Study On Demand, on your schedule, on your terms.

• Study 100% online - no need to come onto campus
• Choose from four start dates in January, April, June and September
• Learn in 10-week blocks
• Get support seven days a week - including on weeknights
• Access learning resources 24/7
• View course content before your term starts
• Work while you study
• Plan your study schedule ahead of time
• Fast-track your studies and receive credit for past study and/or work experience.

Our graduates get jobs

You will be studying with a university known for its employment outcomes. Your UniSA degree is more than just a piece of paper – it will prepare you to start your career, or take it to the next level. In fact, UniSA undergraduates studying online have graduate employment rates well above the national average1.

Specifically designed for online learning

Our team of academic and online experts have created interactive and media-rich course material using innovative digital technology and state-of-the-art teaching and learning resources. Every degree has been specifically designed for online learning to ensure you graduate with the skills and knowledge for your future career.

As a general rule of thumb, any desktop or laptop computer purchased in the past three years should be capable of meeting your online learning needs. While mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones will be able to access most of your online course content, there are likely to be elements of most courses where we recommend you use a desktop or laptop computer. Your computer should be able to:

• run a modern browser (Internet Explorer 10, Firefox 24, Safari 5, or Chrome 32 or later versions)
• run Java, and in some cases Flash (devices running on Apple's iOS operating system, such as iPads, iPhones, do not run Flash)
• run programs to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• use a web camera and headset (or ear pods with microphone)
• Some UniSA Online degrees require an online exam. The online exam software – Remote Proctor Now – has specific capability requirements. Please refer to the system requirements prior to conducting your exam to ensure your computer is compatible.

Access free IT software and resources

As a UniSA Online student, you'll:

• Get free access to the full Office 365 ProPlus suite, which includes full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and Lync software. Install the full suite on up to five different devices (PC and Mac compatible).
• Get 1Tb of personal storage that syncs with your PC or mobile device through OneDrive - it's like an extra hard drive that allows you to open any of your files from any of your devices, whenever you need them.
• Get free access to LinkedIn Learning - Access more than 5000 video courses on a broad range of topics such as: the Microsoft Office suite, time management and study skills, health and wellbeing, communication and presentation skills, photography, film making and designing your own games or mobile apps.
• Be able to connect with others using Skype for Business, Yammer and the Outlook Web App.

There are some degrees that have specialised software requirements. We've made this software available to students to access for free - you'll be able to download and install any of the required programs on your own device anywhere and anytime. See if your degree requires specialised software.

Check your device

Our computer system test will determine if your device has the base system resources and software required to study online. It'll also check the speed of your internet connection.

See if your computer, laptop or device is all set up and ready to go – it takes just a few seconds.

The application process is easy – just follow these simple steps:

1. Check your eligibility
2. Take our eligibility checker and answer a few short questions to see if you’re eligible. You’ll be given an option to continue your application, save it for later or request a call back from a Degree Adviser if you have any questions.
3. Gather your relevant documents
4. If you're eligible, you'll receive an email outlining the entry requirements and the relevant documentation you need in order to be considered.
5. In order to verify your academic qualifications, you'll need to upload relevant documents like your official parchment, certificates or transcripts. If you have work experience, you will need to upload your CV as well as any other documents like work references, professional recognition or accreditation or your training certification.
6. Your email will contain information on the specific documents you need to provide as well as a link to log in to your application. You'll be asked to create an account and set your own password.
7. Complete your application and send through your documents
8. In order to proceed with your conditional offer, you’ll need to complete your application and provide required evidence of your previous study or work experience.