What Does Cert IV in Ageing Support Cover?

Cert IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) covers eighteen units of competency in total: fifteen core units spanning empowerment, service coordination, dementia support, legal and ethical practice and palliative care, plus three electives — and at least 120 hours of work placement where those skills are demonstrated with real clients. It is the qualification that moves a support worker from following an individualised plan to developing, facilitating and reviewing one.

This guide lists every unit in ALIT’s delivery, grouped by the job skills each set builds, and explains the placement requirement. If you are new to the qualification itself, start with ALIT’s what CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support is.

The fifteen core units

ALIT’s course page lists the fifteen core units as published in the national qualification. Grouped by the skills they build:

Empowering and advocating for older people

• CHCAGE001 Facilitate the empowerment of older people — supporting older people to make their own choices and exercise their rights.
• CHCADV001 Facilitate the interests and rights of clients — advocating within your role when a client’s interests need a voice.

Coordinating services and plans

• CHCAGE003 Coordinate services for older people — pulling the moving parts of a client’s support together.
• CHCCCS006 Facilitate individual service planning and delivery — the signature Certificate IV skill: building, delivering and reviewing a plan with the person, not just for them.
• CHCAGE004 Implement interventions with older people at risk — recognising and acting on risk situations.
• CHCPRP001 Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships — working with families, GPs and other services around each client.

Specialised support skills

• CHCAGE005 Provide support to people living with dementia — communication, behaviour support and dignity for people with dementia.
• CHCPAL001 Deliver care services using a palliative approach — comfort-focused, end-of-life-aware care delivered with the person and family.
• CHCCCS011 Meet personal support needs — personal care delivered safely and respectfully.
• CHCCCS023 Support independence and wellbeing — building daily-living capability and quality of life.
• CHCCCS025 Support relationships with carer and family — recognising carers and families as partners in support.

Legal, ethical and body-systems knowledge

• CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance — the step up from working legally (Cert III) to managing compliance within your scope.
• HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems — noticing when a client’s health changes and reporting it.
• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people — culturally safe support for every client.
• HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care — manual handling, hazards and safe practice for you and your clients.

The three electives in ALIT’s delivery

ALIT’s elective stream adds three units chosen for the realities of senior support roles:

• HLTAID011 Provide First Aid — the standard workplace first aid certificate. ALIT’s guide to what HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is covers the course in detail.
• CHCCCS033 Identify and report abuse — the safeguarding skill aged services employers increasingly look for.
• HLTHPS006 Assist clients with medication — assisting clients with their medication within your scope; ALIT’s guide to what HLTHPS006 Assist Clients with Medication is explains the unit’s boundaries.

Work placement: at least 120 hours

To be awarded the qualification, the national register requires at least 120 hours of work as detailed in the assessment requirements of the units of competency. Placement is where the plan-facilitation and coordination skills are demonstrated — an assessor needs evidence that you can facilitate a service plan, support a person living with dementia and coordinate services with real clients, not just in simulation. Treat placement as a scheduled part of the course, and plan for it when you enrol.

How the units fit together on shift

A senior support worker’s shift draws on the core units constantly. You start from the client’s service plan (CHCCCS006), noticing it needs a review as needs change (CHCAGE003, CHCAGE004), advocating where the client cannot (CHCADV001, CHCAGE001), and coaching a newer colleague on personal support (CHCCCS011, CHCCCS023). When a client’s health shifts, you recognise what you’re seeing (HLTAAP001) and report it through the right channels (CHCLEG003). With a client living with dementia, you adapt your communication (CHCAGE005); with a family under strain, you support the relationship, not just the client (CHCCCS025); and a palliative approach informs the final stage of care (CHCPAL001).

Studying the course at ALIT

ALIT delivers CHC43015 at its West Melbourne campus over 36–52 weeks with monthly intakes, and international students can enrol under CRICOS course code 114247G. Entry asks for CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent, current police and working-with-children checks, IELTS 5.5 or equivalent, and a short online LLN assessment. Recognised prior learning is available for experienced workers. Full details are on the Certificate IV in Ageing Support course page.

FAQ

How many units are in Cert IV in Ageing Support?

Eighteen in ALIT’s delivery: fifteen core units plus three electives (HLTAID011, CHCCCS033 and HLTHPS006).

Does the course include medication assistance?

Yes — HLTHPS006 Assist clients with medication is one of ALIT’s three electives. Note the unit covers assisting clients with medication within your scope — it does not make you a medication administrator.

Is first aid included?

Yes, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is in the elective stream. Because first aid certificates expire, check currency requirements with your employer and the relevant authority.

How does the content differ from the Cert III?

The Cert III teaches you to follow an individualised plan; the Cert IV adds developing, facilitating and reviewing plans, plus specialised skills like dementia support, palliative approach and abuse reporting. See ALIT’s guide to what Certificate III in Individual Support covers for the comparison point.

Related ALIT guide: how Cert III in Individual Support and Cert IV in Ageing Support differ.