NACC180276 - Career Taster: Health and Support Practices

Apply TodayRegister Your Interest
Duration
Please refer to Course Structure below.
Location
Emerald
Next intake
August, 2026
Study mode
On Campus
August applications open on 29 June.
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
Apply Today

Overview

This Career Taster provides students with the opportunity to experience what it’s really like to help people with everyday tasks, keep environments clean and safe, and communicate with empathy. You’ll learn practical skills like safe lifting techniques, infection control, hygiene support, and the basics of nutrition and mealtime assistance. This is a perfect taster if you’re curious about careers in aged care, disability support, nursing or allied health.

 



Definitions of our ACC, NACC and PDC short course codes.

QUALITY EDUCATION, WHEREVER YOU ARE
Between our reputation for learning, teaching and research, our renowned online education offering, and our status as Australia’s largest regional university, rest assured you will get a world-class education when you choose CQUniversity.

A UNI THAT KNOWS CREDIBILITY IS KEY
In just 25 years, CQUniversity has achieved some amazing feats and emerged as one of Australia’s truly great universities. We have been ranked among the best in the world for our teaching and learning, and are internationally recognised for our focus on Social Innovation. Our graduates are some of the most sought-after in Australia, due to our reputation for work integrated learning and industry-aligned courses, and experience some of the nation’s best graduate outcomes in terms of full-time employment and starting salary. CQUni is also regarded as the nation’s most inclusive and engaged university, with our award-winning academic and research staff making a real impact on the communities and industries we serve.

A UNI THAT LEADS IN ONLINE EDUCATION
A pioneer in online study, CQUniversity has more than two decades of experience providing high quality online learning experiences across the country and even internationally. We work hard to deliver the latest techniques in online study, and have even planned our physical sites to provide more services to our widespread online study cohort.

A UNI THAT KNOWS CONVENIENCE COUNTS
CQUniversity is truly focused on our students’ needs, and that means responding to what, how and where they want to study. It is why we are now Australia’s largest regional university, with more than 20 metropolitan and regional locations across five states, delivering TAFE and university qualifications in on-campus, online and supported online modes to more than 30 000 students.

A UNI THAT KNOWS YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS
CQUniversity’s strong focus on student experience ensures that you are prepared and supported on your student journey. Support services include on-campus or online orientation to assist your transition into university life, course and career advice, financial support options, study support, ongoing assistance through the Student Mentor program, counselling services, support for students with disability or medical conditions, Indigenous student support and more.

Career Opportunities

Students will explore key concepts and practical skills used across the health and support sector. These foundational experiences offer insight into the wide variety of roles that exist within health and care environments, from aged care and disability support to allied health assistance. The program encourages students to consider how safety, empathy, and personal care intersect in real-world settings, helping them understand the diverse responsibilities and career options available in the broader health industry. By engaging with these practices, students are encouraged to reflect on how care-based skills can support a variety of career journeys. These experiences help students better understand the expectations within health-related roles and make informed decisions about future study, volunteering, or exploration within the broader health and support sector. 

Structure & Availability

Career Taster

Duration:
Full Time Duration
5 days

This non‑accredited Career Taster is delivered face‑to‑face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus.

Students will take part in practical, hands‑on learning experiences that introduce key concepts and foundational skills used across a variety of health and support settings. Throughout the program, students explore the diverse range of roles within the health sector from community and disability support to aged care and allied health assistance. They also learn about the importance of safety, communication, empathy and person‑centred care when supporting individuals in real‑world environments. These experiences help students understand workplace expectations and consider potential pathways for further study, volunteering or future careers in the broader health and support industry.


Units

Unit CodeUnit Name
NUCRT276AWHS and Introduction to Health & Support Practices
NUCRT276BPersonal Care & Hygiene Practices
NUCRT276CNutrition & Support Techniques

Career Taster

IntakeLocations
July, 2026Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay City
August, 2026Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay City, Rockhampton

For course commencement dates, please review the Career Tasters Delivery Schedule.

This course has no residential schools.

Work-integrated learning does not apply to this course.

Requirements

Enrolment into this course is subject to meeting the funding eligibility criteria for Career Tasters. Please see the Fees and Scholarships tab for more information.

Important information

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times when directed by CQUniversity staff.
  • Students who do not wear the required PPE will not be able to participate in practical activities

Fees & Scholarships

The following Career Tasters course is made available at no cost to eligible year 10 Queensland students, thanks to the Australian Government and Queensland Government.  

To be eligible to participate, students must be 15 to 17 years of age by the commencement of the month of their chosen intake and one of the following: 

  • a Year 10 student currently enrolled in a mainstream Queensland school including Home Education.
  • enrolled in a Special Assistance School
  • disengaged from school 

Students participate by completing one Career Taster at a time, and may participate in a maximum of two Career Tasters in total. 

Additional eligibility criteria apply, visit Career Tasters to learn more.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier

Start Your Application

Our easy-to-use online application system will guide you through the process of applying for a TAFE course. If you need help along the way with your application, talk with one of our Student Advice team members by calling 13 27 86.

This course is a highly competitive course with limited places available and is subject to change based on availability.

Apply

Related Courses

All Courses
All Courses

Career Taster: Hair and Beauty Skills

On-campus

This non-accredited Career Taster program is delivered face-to-face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus. Students will participate in supervised, practical activities within simulated learning spaces that introduce them to key concepts, safe work practices and fundamental techniques used across both hair and beauty environments. Learning experiences will explore areas such as general salon orientation, safe use of tools and equipment, basic styling principles, client preparation, and essential hygiene and infection-control practices. Students will also take part in guided activities that involve creating simple looks, following planned design ideas, and developing an understanding of how presentation and visual documentation support work in hair and beauty settings.

Gladstone, Mackay City, Rockhampton City

Career Taster: Early Years and Education Support

On-campus

This non-accredited Career Taster program is delivered face-to-face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus. Step into the world of education and early childhood to discover what it’s really like to support children as they learn, play and grow. This Career Taster gives you experience in environments similar to real classrooms and early learning centres. Across the week you’ll take part in practical activities that help you explore how children develop, how learning experiences are planned, and how educators create safe, supportive and inclusive spaces. You’ll learn about behaviour support, child development, observation techniques and the important role support workers play in both school and early childhood settings.

Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton

Career Taster: Automation and Electronic Technologies

On-campus

This non-accredited Career Taster program is delivered face-to-face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus. Across the program, you’ll take part in practical, supervised activities that help you explore key concepts such as electronic components, system behaviour, basic programming logic and how technology responds to different inputs. You’ll experiment with beginner‑friendly tools and tech platforms, work through guided tasks, and see how ideas used in robotics, sensors and automation apply to real‑world industries.

Mackay, Rockhampton

Career Taster: Heavy Vehicle Systems and Diagnostics

On-campus

This non-accredited Career Taster program is delivered face-to-face over five consecutive days at your enrolled CQUniversity campus. Students will participate in hands-on engaging practical learning experiences and projects exploring concepts and practical skills used across the heavy vehicle maintenance and auto electrical trades. Students will take part in supervised, practical learning experiences that introduce them to key concepts, safety practices and foundational skills used across the automotive industry. Throughout the program, students will engage in a variety of hands‑on activities that reflect real automotive environments, such as working with tools and components, exploring how mechanical and electrical systems function, and developing an understanding of basic diagnostic processes.

Mackay, Rockhampton