What Should You Wear to Aged Care Placement? Uniform and Equipment Guide

Published: August 17, 2026 | Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) | Melbourne

You need closed-in shoes, comfortable clothing you can move freely in, and a Clinton Institute polo shirt. Avoid strong perfume, long nails, and jewelry. Here's the complete dress code for Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) placement students.

Clinton Institute Placement Dress Code — Quick Checklist

Use this checklist before every placement shift at Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas.

☐ Must Have

• Clinton Institute branded polo shirt
• Closed-in shoes (runners or work shoes, fully enclosed)
• Comfortable trousers or track pants (neutral colours)
• Short, clean, unvarnished nails
• Personal identification / student ID

☐ Recommended

• A plain wedding band (only ring permitted)
• A wristwatch (no smartwatches with notification sounds)
• Hair tied back if longer than shoulder length
• Light, neutral deodorant
• Water bottle and small snack

☐ Strictly Avoid

• Strong perfume, aftershave, or heavily scented products
• Nail polish, gel nails, or acrylic nails
• Hoop or dangling earrings
• Necklaces, bracelets, or rings other than a plain wedding band
• Thongs, sandals, open-toed shoes, ballet flats
• Jeans or tight-fitting clothing that restricts movement
• Excessive makeup
• Short skirts or shorts above the knee

Why are these dress code rules in place?

Clinton Institute's placement dress code exists for three reasons: infection control, resident safety, and professional standards.

Infection control: Long nails, nail polish, gel nails, and jewelry harbour bacteria and are prohibited in direct care settings. This is aligned with Australian Government aged care infection control guidelines. You will wash your hands many times per shift — short, clean nails make this effective.

Resident safety: Dangling jewelry can catch on clothing or equipment. Strong perfume can cause respiratory distress in residents with COPD, asthma, or dementia. Loose clothing can be a manual handling hazard.

Professional standards: You are representing Clinton Institute (RTO 41597) and the aged care profession. The polo shirt identifies you as a student to residents, families, and staff.

"The dress code exists for good reasons — infection control and resident safety are not optional. We go through this with every student before placement. Most find it straightforward once they understand the 'why' behind each rule."

— Laiju Thomas, CEO, Clinton Institute (RTO 41597)

Shoes — the most common dress code issue

The most frequent reason students are turned away from placement or reminded about dress code is footwear. You need fully enclosed, closed-in shoes with non-slip soles where possible.

Acceptable:

• Runners / sports shoes (clean, enclosed)
• Work shoes / work boots (enclosed)
• Black enclosed shoes

Not permitted:

• Thongs or flip-flops
• Sandals or open-toed shoes
• Ballet flats or loafers without enclosed heel
• High heels
• Shoes with open backs or holes

You will be on your feet for the entire shift. Comfortable, supportive, enclosed shoes are non-negotiable.

Nails and personal grooming

Nails must be short, clean, and unvarnished. This means:

• No nail polish — including regular, gel, or shellac polish
• No gel nails or acrylic / artificial nails
• Nails must not extend beyond the fingertip
• Cuticles must be clean and intact

If you have gel nails or acrylic nails, you will need to have them removed before your first placement shift. Plan this in advance — salon appointments can fill up quickly.

Where to get your Clinton Institute polo shirt

Contact the Clinton Institute student support team to obtain your branded polo shirt before placement begins. You will not be permitted to start placement without the correct Clinton Institute uniform.

If you are unsure whether your current clothing meets the dress code, contact admission@clinton.edu.au or call +61 3 8394 2064 before your placement date. It is always better to check beforehand than to be sent home from placement.

What to do if you're unsure

If you have any questions about the dress code before your CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support placement at Clinton Institute, contact the student support team. Common questions include:

• Can I wear a religious head covering? — Generally yes, but discuss with Clinton Institute and the facility before placement.
• Can I wear a smartwatch? — Generally yes, but silence notifications. Check with your supervisor on the day.
• My only shoes are not fully enclosed — purchase enclosed shoes before placement. Sports stores and workwear shops sell appropriate options from approximately $50.

See also the placement anxiety guide for more preparation tips before your first shift at Clinton Institute.