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 3 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.
Begin a rewarding career in community services with the CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services.
Pursue a compassionate career with the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability).
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in your community?
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 3 listings here were all current in September 2026.