CHC33021 vs CHC43015 vs CHC52025: Compare Aged Care Certificates Melbourne 2026
Published: 3 August 2026 | Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) | Melbourne
CHC33021, CHC43015 and CHC52025 are three distinct aged care qualifications — each opens different roles, salary levels, and career pathways. This guide compares them side by side so you can choose the right starting point.
Aged Care Qualification Comparison Table
| Feature | CHC33021 Cert III | CHC43015 Cert IV | CHC52025 Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Certificate III in Individual Support | Certificate IV in Ageing Support | Diploma of Community Services |
| Duration (full-time) | 3 months* | 12 months | 18 months |
| CRICOS Code | 115261A | 115262M | 115263K |
| Entry Requirement | Year 12 or Cert II | CHC33021 or equivalent | Cert IV or equivalent |
| Minimum Age | 18 years | 18 years | 18 years |
| English Requirement | Basic (IELTS 5.5 for international) | Basic (IELTS 5.5 for international) | Intermediate (IELTS 6.0 for international) |
| Work Placement | 120 hours (arranged by Clinton Institute) | Additional hours (arranged) | Additional hours (arranged) |
| Job Outcomes | Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, PCA | Senior Aged Care Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator | Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Services Manager |
| Approx. Hourly Salary | $27-$30/hr | $30-$48/hr | $45-$65/hr |
| Progression To | CHC43015 Certificate IV | CHC52025 Diploma | Social work degree, management roles |
Salary guide under Fair Work Commission SACS Award (MA000009) — fairwork.gov.au. Figures are approximate and vary by employer, location, and experience.
Which qualification should I start with?
Start with CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support if you have no prior aged care qualification. It is the entry-level qualification — the minimum employers look for and the foundation all other qualifications build on. You cannot enter CHC43015 or CHC52025 directly without completing the prerequisite, because each qualification is designed to build on the knowledge and skills developed in the previous one. CHC33021 teaches the fundamentals of person-centred support, human rights, safe work practices, and communication in aged care — knowledge that CHC43015 assumes and builds on. Attempting CHC43015 without CHC33021 leaves a gap that typically shows in placement performance and unit assessments. Clinton Institute's admissions team assesses prior qualifications individually if you hold an equivalent certificate from another RTO, and can advise whether you can enter CHC43015 or CHC52025 directly based on your documented prior learning.Start with CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support if you have no prior aged care qualification. It is the entry-level qualification — the minimum employers look for and the foundation all other qualifications build on.You cannot enter CHC43015 or CHC52025 directly without completing the prerequisite — each qualification is designed to build on the previous one. Clinton Institute's admissions team assesses prior qualifications individually if you hold an equivalent certificate from another RTO.
"Students sometimes ask if they can skip CHC33021 and go straight to CHC43015. The answer is no — and here's why. CHC43015 assumes you already understand the fundamentals of person-centred care, safe work practices, and communication in aged care. Those are the skills CHC33021 builds. Skipping it leaves a gap that shows in placement performance."
— Laiju Thomas, Trainer and Assessor, CHC Training Package, Clinton Institute
What does CHC33021 prepare you for?
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is the foundation aged care qualification and the nationally recognised minimum standard for entry-level aged care roles in Australia. It prepares you for direct care roles in residential aged care, home care, and disability services across Melbourne. Job outcomes include Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, and Community Support Worker. Key units covered include person-centred support, human rights and aged care, safe work practices, dementia care fundamentals, communication skills, and assisting with medication at a basic level. Work placement of minimum 120 hours is arranged by Clinton Institute with Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas in Melbourne — students do not find their own placement. Clinton Institute delivers CHC33021 as a 3-month accelerated (full-time) or 52-week standard CRICOS-registered course for international students at its Melbourne campus, with monthly intakes available.CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is the foundation aged care qualification. It prepares you for direct care roles in residential aged care, home care, and disability services.Job outcomes: Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Community Support Worker.
Key units covered: Person-centred support, human rights and aged care, safe work practices, dementia care fundamentals, communication skills, and assisting with medication (basic).
Work placement: Minimum 120 hours arranged by Clinton Institute with Opal Healthcare, Arcare, or Benetas in Melbourne.
What does CHC43015 prepare you for?
CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is the senior and leadership qualification in aged care, building on the foundation of CHC33021 with advanced skills in team leadership, dementia care, and care coordination. Job outcomes include Senior Aged Care Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator, Residential Care Supervisor, and Assistant Care Manager in aged care facilities. Many graduates also move into disability support leadership roles or home care coordination, because the qualification's skills are transferable across the community services sector. Key units covered include leadership in aged care, advanced dementia care, mental health first aid, risk management, care plan coordination, and advocacy. Work placement hours in CHC43015 involve aged care settings with increasing responsibility — students are no longer observers but active participants with more complex resident interactions. The qualification typically takes twelve months of full-time study to complete. Under the Fair Work Commission SACS Award (MA000009), aged care workers with CHC43015 typically earn $30-$48 per hour in Melbourne.CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is the senior and leadership qualification in aged care. It builds on CHC33021 and adds team leadership, advanced dementia care, and care coordination skills.Job outcomes: Senior Aged Care Worker, Team Leader, Care Coordinator, Residential Care Supervisor, Assistant Care Manager.
Key units covered: Leadership in aged care, advanced dementia care, mental health first aid, risk management, care plan coordination, and advocacy.
Work placement: Additional placement hours in aged care settings with increasing responsibility.
What does CHC52025 prepare you for?
CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services is the management and case coordination qualification, covering the higher-level skills needed to manage services for people with complex needs across multiple systems. Job outcomes include Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Community Services Manager, Support Services Supervisor, and advocacy and social welfare roles. Key units covered include case management practice, community development, program planning, working with diverse communities, coordination of services, and government funding frameworks including NDIS and Home Care Packages. Work placement in CHC52025 takes place in community services or case management settings, giving students direct experience with the coordination and advocacy work the qualification prepares them for. The qualification typically takes eighteen months of full-time study. Under the Fair Work Commission SACS Award (MA000009), case managers and community services managers typically earn $45-$65 per hour depending on experience and organisation type. CHC52025 is also a pathway into social work degrees and community services management positions.CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services is the management and case coordination qualification. It covers case management, program coordination, advocacy, and community development — the skills needed to manage services for people with complex needs.Job outcomes: Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Community Services Manager, Support Services Supervisor, advocacy and social welfare roles.
Key units covered: Case management practice, community development, program planning, working with diverse communities, coordination of services, and government funding frameworks (NDIS, Home Care Packages).
Work placement: Additional placement hours in community services or case management settings.
Career progression: how do they connect?
The three qualifications form a progression ladder where each qualification builds directly on the previous one. CHC33021 takes approximately 3 months (accelerated full-time) or 52 weeks (standard) at Clinton Institute and provides entry to the aged care workforce as an Aged Care Worker or Disability Support Worker. CHC43015 takes approximately twelve months of full-time study and provides entry to senior and leadership roles including Team Leader and Care Coordinator. CHC52025 takes approximately eighteen months of full-time study and provides entry to case management and service coordination roles including Case Manager and Program Coordinator. The total journey from entry-level to case management, studied full-time, is approximately two and a half years. Many students study part-time while working in entry-level aged care roles, extending the journey to three or four years but making it financially sustainable — employers often support part-time study and may count relevant work hours toward placement requirements. Each qualification can be started as soon as the prerequisite is completed, and Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS 03540C) offers all three as CRICOS-registered courses with monthly intakes.The three qualifications form a progression ladder:- CHC33021 (3 months accelerated or 52 weeks standard) → entry to aged care workforce
- CHC43015 (12 months) → senior and leadership roles
- CHC52025 (18 months) → case management and service coordination
The total journey from entry-level to case management, studied full-time, is approximately 2.5 years. Many students study part-time while working, extending the journey to 3-4 years but making it more affordable and manageable.
How do I apply for an aged care course at Clinton Institute?
Apply online at clinton.edu.au, email admission@clinton.edu.au, or call +61 3 8394 2064. Clinton Institute (RTO 41597, CRICOS Provider: 03540C) is at Level 9, 313 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. Monthly intakes available for all three CRICOS-registered aged care qualifications.
Clinton Institute — RTO ID: 41597 | CRICOS Provider: 03540C
Level 9, 313 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: +61 3 8394 2064 | Email: admission@clinton.edu.au
CRICOS courses: CHC33021 (115261A), CHC43015 (115262M), CHC52025 (115263K)