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Caring in the home and community
Support people that need it the most in a career as an aged care assistant. This course specialises in providing in demand home and community support services and also supports relationships with, a wide range of people, including carers and families.
Gain these skills:
- Work effectively in the aged care industry
- Caring for the elderly and enabling them to maintain independence
- Understanding and supporting people with dementia
- Safety procedures and ethical behaviour
- Infection control practices
- Working with cultural diversity
- Workplace health and safety
Want to find out more about this industry?
Students in community services benefit from sharing information about organisations, initiatives and leading expertise in our Community Services Facebook page.
Mandatory vaccination requirements
The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements.
Community Services at SM TAFE Facebook page
Is this the right course for you?
Have you got what it takes to be successful in this career? Our Core Skills guide lists the skills and attributes necessary to study and work in this field.
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
| School Leaver | Non-School Leaver | AQF |
|---|---|---|
| OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8 | C Grades in Year 10 English and Maths or equivalent | Certificate I or Certificate II |
Student must be over 18 years of age, or due to turn 18 during their enrolment, as the industry generally does not provide work placements for students under 18, making younger people unable to complete the qualification.
Attendance in class
You will need to attend class for one semester when studied full-time.
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately five hours of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Work placement
120 hours of work placement is mandatory for completion of this course in stage two, this will be arranged by SM TAFE. Students who are under 18 years old are reminded that it will be difficult to secure work placement as a minor, making them unable to complete the qualification.
Students will also be required to have a flu vaccination (no more than one year old) to be eligible to go out on community placement.
What you need for your first day of class
On your first day you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID and stationery (pen and exercise book).
You will need to wear closed in shoes. PPE is provided.
All students enrolled in Individual Support are encouraged to obtain First Aid training (HLTAID003 is preferred). It is your responsibility to organise and pay for the training.
You may be required to obtain a Working With Children Check and National Police Clearance prior to a supervised work placement. This will depend on the organisation you arrange your work placement with.
For more information visit:
https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au(opens in a new tab)
https://www.police.wa.gov.au/Police-Direct/National-Police-Certificates(opens in a new tab)
Under the current guidelines for access to Aged care facilities, there may be a requirement to have evidence of a current flu vaccination.
Mandatory vaccination requirements
The Commonwealth Department of Health and the Western Australian Department of Health have advised that it will be mandatory for residential aged care workers to have a COVID-19 vaccination from 17 September 2021, this includes students undertaking work placements.
Students will also be required to have a flu vaccination (no more than one year old) to be eligible to go out on community placement.
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. You will need to arrange a suitable work placement within industry which will involve your attendance at a workplace.
To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred study mode below to get started with your application.
Semester 1
Mandurah - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Mandurah | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.
Rockingham - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Rockingham | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.
Thornlie - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Thornlie | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.
Semester 2
Mandurah - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Mandurah | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.
Rockingham - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Rockingham | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.
Thornlie - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 1 Semester | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Thornlie | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2021
-
Subject to change for full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course per year. The fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities once per semester.