Construction vs Aged Care Courses in Australia for International Students

Updated 26 October 2026

Construction and aged care are both vocational study pathways in Australia where employers report ongoing shortages, but they train you for very different work.

Aged care courses such as the Certificate III in Individual Support at ANIBT run for 12 months in Melbourne. Construction trade courses such as the Certificate III in Carpentry at Construction Training Australia run for about 2 years full-time.

Neither course guarantees a job or permanent residency.

Key takeaways

• Aged care (CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, ANIBT): 12 months, Melbourne, at least 120 hours of work-based training.

• Construction (Certificate III in Carpentry, Construction Training Australia): about 2 years full-time, Brunswick, Victoria. The national qualification code changed in September 2026, so confirm the current version before you enrol.

• Jobs and Skills Australia reports shortages in both fields, but a labour-market shortage is not the same as a visa pathway.

• Check English requirements, placement checks and the current Student visa rules before you choose.

What do aged care and construction courses teach?

Aged care

Aged care training focuses on supporting older people in residential and community settings.

The national training register lists CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support as a current qualification with 15 units: 9 core and 6 elective.

Core units include:

• Provide individualised support

• Support independence and wellbeing

• Recognise healthy body systems

• Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

• Work with diverse people

• Work legally and ethically

The ageing specialisation uses these electives:

• Provide support to people living with dementia

• Work effectively in aged care

• Deliver care services using a palliative approach

The register also lists a disability specialisation and a combined ageing and disability specialisation. Ask your provider which specialisation it delivers.

ANIBT lists these career outcomes: personal care worker or assistant, direct care worker, disability support worker and home care worker. Settings include nursing homes, retirement communities, assisted living, hospice care, home care and memory care.

Construction

Construction training focuses on practical trade skills and site safety.

The national register describes the Certificate III in Carpentry as a trade qualification for carpenters in residential and commercial workplaces, built around building standards in Commonwealth and state or territory rules.

Construction Training Australia (CTA) assesses students through observation on the job or in simulation, questioning, work samples and structured projects. It lists carpenter and carpenter and joiner as career outcomes.

Construction Training Australia also offers White Card training, the general construction induction card used on building sites.

Which courses can international students study?

Aged care at ANIBT

ANIBT (RTO 21368, CRICOS provider code 02506B) lists three aged care and community services courses:

• CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support: 12 months, Melbourne, minimum 120 hours of work-based training.

• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support: up to 18 months, 1,200 nominal study hours, 120 plus hours of work-based training.

• CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services.

The Certificate III is the entry point. The Certificate IV and Diploma give you a study ladder if you want to move into team leader or coordination roles.

RACC also explains the pairing in its Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Ageing Support guide. If you want to compare other care-related study, see RACC's guides to social work and community service courses and nursing courses in Australia.

Construction at Construction Training Australia

ANIBT does not deliver construction trades itself. It lists Construction Training Australia (CTA) as a training associate. CTA is a separate Registered Training Organisation (RTO 46022, CRICOS provider code 04139D) at 22 Prentice Street, Brunswick, Victoria.

CTA lists eight courses for international students. The national register shows these as current qualifications:

• Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31320)

• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820)

• Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40120)

• Diploma of Building and Construction, Building (CPC50220)

CTA also lists the Certificate III in Carpentry, Certificate IV in Electrotechnology Electrical Contracting, Diploma of Electrical Engineering and Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering. See CTA's course list for details.

CTA lists the Certificate III in Plumbing for domestic students only.

Check the carpentry qualification code

CTA's website lists the Certificate III in Carpentry as CPC30220. The national register shows that code was superseded on 22 September 2026 and replaced by CPC30326, which is current from 23 September 2026.

Before you enrol, ask CTA which version it delivers to new international students and which course is registered for your Student visa.

RACC's carpentry course package and electrician course page explain how these trade courses are packaged. RACC's trade courses guide compares carpentry, electrical, automotive and other trades.

The Certificate IV in Building and Construction is not an entry-level course

CTA designs it for people with building industry experience who want to move into supervisor or management roles such as site manager. It lists the course as 1 year full-time. It can support builder licensing or registration, subject to state and territory rules.

How do entry requirements and placement compare?

Aged care

• English: ANIBT lists vocational-level scores of IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 51.6, TOEFL iBT 60 or Cambridge 169. It also runs its own language, literacy and numeracy test at enrolment.

• Placement: the national register states the qualification requires at least 120 hours of work. ANIBT lists the same minimum in an aged care, home and community, disability or community service organisation.

• Checks: ANIBT lists a valid police check, an NDIS Worker Screening Check and, depending on placement type, a Working With Children Check. Ask the provider about any vaccination evidence it requires. The student pays screening fees.

Construction

• Duration: CTA lists 2 years full-time including breaks for the earlier carpentry version (CPC30220), and 1 year full-time for the Certificate IV in Building and Construction.

• Delivery: face-to-face at the Brunswick campus.

• Work-based training and entry requirements: CTA's course pages do not state these, so ask CTA directly for the current details before you apply.

Course fees differ by provider and change over time. Ask each provider for its current fee schedule in writing, or ask RACC to book a course and Student visa consultation.

Is there demand for aged care and construction workers?

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) published its 2025 Occupation Shortage List and found 29% of occupations in shortage, down from 36% in 2023 and 33% in 2024.

Nearly half of trade roles remain in shortage, and JSA singles out health, education and construction.

JSA names insufficient qualified applicants as the leading driver of shortages, especially in health, teaching and construction. For care and service roles it also points to low pay, poor conditions and retention problems.

Shortage ratings vary by location. JSA's online tool shows results by state, territory, regional and metropolitan area, so check the rating for the city where you plan to study and work.

The Occupation Shortage List measures the labour market. It does not decide visa eligibility. The national register links CHC33021 to the occupation Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111), but visa occupation lists are set separately by the Department of Home Affairs and change over time.

Use RACC's occupation lists page and skilled occupation list tool to check where an occupation stands today.

What study and work rules apply?

According to the Home Affairs Student visa (subclass 500) page:

• Work rights: you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session.

• Where to apply: you must apply from outside Australia unless you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption allowing you to apply in Australia.

• Family: you must not bring family members (partners and children) to Australia unless exempt.

• Enrolment and cover: you need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or fall in an exemption category.

Student visa fees start from AUD 2,500 per application from 1 July 2026 unless an exemption applies, according to Study Australia. Check RACC's visa fees page and processing times page for current figures.

Read RACC's Student visa guide, and the Student visa extension guide if you already hold a Student visa. Confirm that the course and provider appear on the CRICOS register.

How do you choose between construction and aged care?

Aged care may suit you if

• You want a shorter qualification, about 12 months for the Certificate III at ANIBT.

• You are comfortable with personal care and working directly with older people.

• You can meet police, NDIS and Working With Children screening requirements.

• You meet the provider's English level.

Construction may suit you if

• You are ready for a longer course, about 2 years full-time for the Certificate III in Carpentry at CTA.

• You are comfortable with physical, practical work on building sites, including working at heights.

• You want a trade qualification, or you already have industry experience and want to move into supervision through the Certificate IV.

Ask every provider before you enrol

• What is the current total fee and what does it include?

• Who arranges work placement or work-based training?

• What is the CRICOS course code, current national qualification code and campus?

• What English evidence and checks do you need?

• When is the next intake?

What do people often get wrong?

• Myth: an in-demand course leads to permanent residency. Reality: a course gives you a qualification. Visa outcomes depend on the visa, the occupation lists, skills assessment, English, employer or state support and other criteria. RACC's aged care sponsorship pathway page and employer sponsored visas overview explain what employer sponsorship involves.

• Myth: ANIBT teaches construction itself. Reality: ANIBT delivers aged care and other courses, and lists Construction Training Australia as a separate training associate.

• Myth: the Certificate IV in Building and Construction is a beginner course. Reality: CTA designs it for people with existing building industry experience.

• Myth: a course listed on a provider's website always shows the latest national code. Reality: qualification codes get replaced. Check the code on training.gov.au.

Frequently asked questions

Is construction or aged care better for international students?

Neither is better for everyone. Aged care at ANIBT takes about 12 months for the Certificate III and involves personal care work. Construction at CTA takes about 2 years full-time for the Certificate III in Carpentry and involves physical site work. Choose based on your interests, English level, timeline and long-term goals.

Can international students study aged care in Australia?

Yes. ANIBT, a Melbourne provider with CRICOS provider code 02506B, lists the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, the CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support and the CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services. You need a Student visa and must meet the provider's entry and placement requirements.

Which construction courses can international students study at CTA?

CTA lists eight courses for international students, including the Certificate III in Carpentry, Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, Certificate IV in Building and Construction, and the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building). The Certificate III in Plumbing is listed for domestic students only.

Has the Certificate III in Carpentry code changed?

Yes. The national training register shows CPC30220 was superseded on 22 September 2026 and replaced by CPC30326 from 23 September 2026. CTA's website still lists CPC30220, so ask CTA which version applies to your enrolment before you pay or apply for a Student visa.

How many work placement hours does the Certificate III in Individual Support need?

The national register states at least 120 hours of work. ANIBT lists a minimum of 120 hours of work-based training in an aged care, home and community, disability or community service organisation. Placement requires compliance checks such as a police check and an NDIS Worker Screening Check. Confirm with the provider who arranges your placement.

What English level does ANIBT require for aged care courses?

ANIBT lists vocational-level scores of IELTS 6.0, PTE Academic 51.6, TOEFL iBT 60 or Cambridge 169. It also accepts a recognised English preparation course in some cases and runs a language, literacy and numeracy test at enrolment. Student visa English rules are separate, so check both.

Does studying construction or aged care guarantee a job or permanent residency?

No. A qualification does not guarantee employment or permanent residency. Visa eligibility depends on your visa pathway, current occupation lists, skills assessment, English, employer or state support and other criteria. A registered migration agent can assess your situation before you commit to a course.

Can I work while studying?

Student visa (subclass 500) holders can work up to 48 hours a fortnight when their course is in session, according to Home Affairs. Check your visa conditions in VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) and speak with your provider about how mandatory work placement fits around your work hours.

Next step

Course choice, entry requirements and visa rules differ for every student. RACC's registered migration agents and education consultants can compare options for your situation.

Book a consultation or contact RACC by phone or WhatsApp on +61 420 746 705 or +61 485 505 268.

Related guides: courses for PR in Australia by occupation, trade courses in Australia and Student visa guide.

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute migration, legal or education advice. Policies, fees and requirements change, so speak with a MARA-registered migration agent or qualified professional before making visa or study decisions. RACC Migration and Education Services, Melbourne. MARN 1572961 and 1172003.

Sources: ANIBT, ANIBT Certificate III in Individual Support, ANIBT Certificate IV in Ageing Support, Construction Training Australia, CTA Certificate IV in Building and Construction, training.gov.au CHC33021, training.gov.au CPC30326, Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 Occupation Shortage List, Jobs and Skills Australia 2024 Occupation Shortage List, Home Affairs Student visa, Study Australia Student visa, CRICOS register.