All three occupation groups sit on the government's growth side of the ledger. Aged and disabled carers number about 370,000 today, up 18.1% over the decade, with about 67,000 more expected by 2035. Nursing support and personal care workers are about 115,000 strong, up 24.7% over the decade. Welfare support workers count about 96,500, up 11.9% over the decade. Projections describe whole fields, not individuals. But three arrows pointing the same way is unusual, and worth knowing before you pick a course.
Australia's 2025 shortage ratings split this field. Nursing support and personal care workers are rated in national shortage, meaning employers report real trouble filling those roles. Aged and disabled carers and welfare support workers aren't currently rated in shortage. If you want the strongest tailwind, the personal care side is where the list points. The other lanes are competitive in the ordinary way, and the qualification does more of the work there.
The most travelled route in is CHC33021, the Certificate III in Individual Support, and it isn't close: national enrolments hit 101,140 in 2025. From there the ladder is genuinely deep, running through Certificate IV specialisations into diplomas, including the Diploma of Community Services listed below. All 73 courses on this page are nationally recognised and sit inside that ladder, so nothing you study here is a dead end. Start at the Cert III, work, and let the job tell you which rung to take next.
Compare what each one covers, then enquire on the one that fits you. The provider sorts out the details with you directly.
Study 180 hours of CPD-endorsed training and gain practical skills for support roles across the allied health sector.
A 47-hour online bundle covering criminology and psychology — earning CPD Points and a Credly digital badge on completion.
Study 280 hours of industry-led allied health and mental health training, earn CPD Points, and gain a Credly digital badge.
Master medical terminology and front-desk administration in 60 study hours — fully online, self-paced, and CPD endorsed.
This CPD-endorsed micro-credential covers core relationship counselling skills in just 10 study hours, with lifetime access to all materials.
Three years of on-demand learning across health, community, and wellness — study at your own pace and earn CPD Points along the way.
The Work Effectively in the Community Sector course equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in various community service roles.
A self-paced online short course covering the foundations of alcohol and other drugs support work, with a pathway into further study.
Help people through some of the hardest days of their lives, from detox through to recovery, and get qualified to do it properly.
Learn to sit with people through illness, grief and life's big moments, and do it with real skill.
Learn to spot trouble early, support families under pressure and help keep kids safe, with 120 hours of real placement.
Learn to build trust with young people, keep them safe and back them through the hard stuff.
Learn how to support people, manage cases and connect families with the help they need.
A 180-hour self-paced online course covering core community services skills, with a clear pathway into Certificate IV or Diploma study.
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs prepares you for specialist roles in counselling, mental health, and community support.
The CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services prepares you to lead, coordinate, and deliver impactful support across Australia's growing community sector.
The CHC50425 Diploma of Youth Work prepares you to lead programs and services that make a real difference for young people and communities.
Learn to work across both fields and walk away with two nationally recognised qualifications, CHC42021 and CHC40421.
This dual diploma (CHC50425 & CHC53315) qualifies you for youth work and mental health roles.
A 180-hour self-paced course covering the foundations of youth work, designed for people ready to support young people in their communities.
Earn the HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management online and build the skills to lead health practice operations confidently.
Gain practical medical secretarial skills online, earn an ICOES-accredited certificate, and step into healthcare administration roles.
Study the essentials of aromatherapy online, earn CPD credits, and gain an ICOES-recognised credential — all in around 100 hours.
Learn feline health, behaviour, and welfare in around 80 hours of self-paced online study — and earn a CPD-credited certificate on completion.
Build the front-desk skills healthcare clinics need.
Learn professional lash and brow techniques online, earn a Certificate of Achievement, and step into the beauty industry at your own pace.
Master nail techniques and business skills with ~200 hours of self-paced online training, mentored by a nail professional with 20+ years of salon experience.
Gain the HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance in 52 weeks, with 120 hours of real workplace experience included.
Earn the CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services — a nationally recognised qualification that opens doors across welfare, youth, and community support roles.
Gain the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Service Assistance — a nationally recognised qualification preparing you for hands-on roles across Australia's health sector.
Already working in community services?
The CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management recognises what experienced managers already know.
The CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services prepares you for coordinator and support roles across the community services sector.
Earn your nationally recognised HLTAID009 Statement of Attainment in one hands-on session.
Earn your HLTAID011 Statement of Attainment in one blended day of training.
Earn three CompTIA certifications — A+, Network+, and Security+ — in six months of flexible online study.
Build hands-on offensive security skills and earn the CompTIA PenTest+ credential.
Earn two ISACA certifications in 3 months.
The ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security) is a nationally recognised qualification built for the next generation of cyber security professionals.
Earn the ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology online, with an elective focus in basic cyber security awareness.
What jobs count as community services?
It's an umbrella term. Aged and disability support, personal care, youth and welfare work, case work and community programs all sit under it. This page tracks the three biggest occupation groups behind those jobs, and each one is large in its own right.
Do I need a Cert III to get started?
Most advertised roles ask for a qualification, and the Certificate III in Individual Support is the one employers know best, with 101,140 enrolled nationally in 2025. Some people pick up support work while they study. The Cert III courses below are the recognised versions.
Should I start with the Cert III or the Diploma?
Most people start at the Cert III and step up once they're working. The Diploma of Community Services suits coordination and case work further down the track. Both are on this page as nationally recognised training, and the 73 listings here were all current in September 2026.