Diploma of Ageing Studies and Services
UndergraduateTAS-AGS-DIP2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Support and care for the ageing population
Learn to work with older adults and their families in the aged care, health and social systems. Explore the biological aspects of ageing. Learn about dementia from health and social perspectives. Get set to join a critically important workforce.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 9 Feb 2025,
- 6 July 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Ageing Studies and Services
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Examine social constructs, and experiences of ageing from global, national, and indigenous perspectives.
- Explain the impact of major diseases and conditions associated with ageing and dementia on lived experience and complexity of care needs.
- Propose strategies to assist older people to navigate and access services to meet health and social care needs.
- Analyse inclusive frameworks and approaches that support the needs, interests and wellbeing of older people.
The Diploma of Ageing Studies and Services addresses the need for holistic knowledge of the ageing process. The Diploma will cover contemporary issues relating to care and services for older people. You will learn about the many social and health challenges that are associated with ageing.
This course, developed and delivered by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, is available through the College of Health and Medicine. Visit the Wicking Dementia Centre for more course information.
The Diploma of Ageing Studies and Services is a fully online, eight-unit course which examines the social and biological aspects of ageing; chronicity and multimorbidity; age-related discrimination and prejudice; public health understandings; and administrative processes related to policy and aged care. This Diploma is suitable for those wanting to or who are working with older adults in aged care, health care or related sectors, such as community-based roles and services. The course will bring together the social and health-based perspectives of ageing.
Areas of focus include the idea of 'care navigation', policy, safety and health promotion. Content also looks at the rising impact of dementia.
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. If students are undertaking part-time study, we recommend that students complete all first year compulsory subjects prior to completing elective subjects to maximise success.
This course is available as a full-time study if students commence in Semester 1; as a part-time study only if students commence in Semester 2.
Completion of 8 core subjects from the schedule below:
- TAS-CAD101 Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia
- TAS-CAD115 Health Services for an Ageing Population
- TAS-CAD118 Social Constructs of Ageing
- TAS-CAD119 Chronicity and Multimorbidity
- TAS-CAD208 Dementia Policy and Care Coordination
- TAS-CAD209 Navigating the Aged Care System
- TAS-CAD210 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Adults
- TAS-CAM106 Foundations of Public Health
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 8 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 1-3 years from commencement.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $9,810
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
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Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
- Completed UTAS University Preparation Program or an equivalent enabling program offered by another Australian university; OR
- Completed two subjects at a Diploma level (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or have partially completed an equivalent overseas qualification).
If an applicant has failed any subjects, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
Successful completion of any 2 open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.
Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or equivalent. This course does not use ATAR as part of the selection process.
Certificate III or higher in any discipline.
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and/or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Graduates may find work in a range of career paths within the community and care fields, in both the public and private sectors. This program provides graduates with the knowledge to make a difference in health and community environments. This includes a range of roles which will be critical in delivering enhanced capacity to a sector which is facing an enormous challenge.
Graduates can also transition into further study in graduate health programs. If you have a background in healthcare, community service or allied health, these programs will broaden your knowledge and scope of practice.
Numerous current and emerging careers are important in supporting an ageing population and you could work in a variety of roles including:
- Advocacy or advisor in ageing or aged care
- Aged care assessor
- Aged care navigator
- Aged care educator or trainer
- Care finder
- Care services
- Community care
- Community development and support
- Community educator or trainer
- Healthy ageing advisor
- Policy development
- Positive ageing support officer
- Residential aged care
- Services manager and support
- Support planner
- Support worker
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Aged and Disabled Carers | $60K to $74K | Up 67.4% |
Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
Welfare Support Workers | $75K to $93K | Up 38.5% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.