The invention relates to a layered composite carrier used for preparing thin-shell catalysts, and solves the technical problems that the prior layered composite carrier has small specific surface area, and the relevant thin-shell noble metal catalyst has low dispersity, poor utilization rate and low selectivity. In order to solve the problems, the technical scheme is as follows: the layered composite carrier used for preparing thin-shell catalysts, comprises an inert carrier inner core and a porous coating as outer layer conjugated on the inner core. The carrier inner core is at least one substance selected from alpha-Al2O3, theta-Al2O3, metals, SiC, cordierite, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, quartz, mullite and Al-rich andalusite. The porous coating is at least one substance selected from gamma-Al2O3, delta-Al2O3, eta-Al2O3, theta-Al2O3, silicon oxide/aluminum oxide, zeolite, non-zeolite molecular sieves, titanium oxide and zirconium oxide. The layered composite carrier is applied to the industrial production of thin-shell catalysts.