CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support


This qualification requires the completion of at of a (135) hour (unpaid) work placement in a direct support role in an aged care, home and community care, disability or community service organisation.

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COURSE DURATION

6 Months
(Full-Time)

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DELIVERY MODES

Classroom

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WORK EXPERIENCE

135 hours of (unpaid) work placement required. Organised by ESTR.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This nationally recognised qualification is perfect for people who want to make a real difference in the lives of others. You’ll learn practical skills to provide person-centred support in settings like aged care, disability support, home care, and community services. This course prepares you to assist people who need help due to ageing, disability, or other circumstances and is a great starting point for a rewarding career in the care sector.

Make a real difference in someone’s life and start a career you can be proud of. Enrol today and take the first step towards a rewarding future in aged care, disability support, or home and community care!

WHO SHOULD DO THIS QUALIFICATION?

This course is ideal for people who are:

  • New to the care sector and want to start a meaningful, hands-on career in aged care, disability support, or home and community care
  • Anyone looking for a stepping stone into further study in community services or related qualifications

IS THIS THE RIGHT COURSE FOR ME?

To make an informed decision about whether this course is right for you, it’s important to consider the essential skills, attributes, and knowledge required to work effectively in the care sector. Successful care and support workers at this level are:

  • Compassionate and patient, with a strong sense of empathy
  • Respectful and supportive, valuing the rights, choices, and dignity of others
  • Observant, able to identify changes in behaviour, abilities and environment
  • Reliable and responsible, able to follow care plans and maintain professional boundaries
  • Effective communicators, able to connect and engage respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Physically capable, to perform manual handling and other physically demanding tasks
  • Team-oriented; willing to collaborate with colleagues, supervisors, and other services to support positive outcomes
  • Committed to confidentiality and professionalism; maintaining trust and integrity at all times
  • Emotionally resilient, able to manage and respond to physical, emotional, or behavioural challenges
  • Comfortable with providing personal care, for both male and female individuals

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This qualification can lead to a range of career opportunities in Aged Care, Home and Community Care or Disability Service Organisations in direct support roles.

Possible job roles include:

Assistant in Nursing
Care Service Worker
Community Care Worker
Disability Support Worker
Home Care Assistant
Support Worker

These roles exist across a range of care settings and typically involve providing personal support, promoting independence, and delivering high-quality, person-centred care to older people, people with disability, or those needing assistance at home or in the community.

Please note this list is intended as a general guide, as job titles and qualification requirements may differ across organisations and service settings.

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To enrol in this course, you must meet ALL entry and study requirements, including having suitable technology access and digital skills to engage in learning and complete assessments.

This course is designed specifically for individuals who are not currently working in the community services or care sector and are looking to start their career.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This qualification includes topics and scenarios related to ageing, disability, palliative care, personal care, dementia, abuse and mental health, which are central to working in community services. Please be aware that these topics may be emotionally sensitive and distressing for some learners. We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing and speak with your Trainer or our Student Support Team if you feel distressed or need support at any time during your course.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no formal entry requirements for CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support.

STUDY REQUIREMENTS

  • Be over 17 years of age. If you are under 18 years of age, you will require parent or guardian consent to enrol.
  • Have a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
  • Have the Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) skills sufficient to read and follow care plans, complete workplace documentation such as progress notes and incident reports, communicate clearly with individuals and colleagues, and use basic numeracy to manage time, follow schedules, and carry out simple measurements. This will be tested through a LLN assessment as part of the course entry process.
  • Be willing and available to undertake a minimum of 135 hours of work placement (unpaid). This practical placement is a mandatory component of the course and will be organised by ESTR. You must be available to attend scheduled placement days and meet all placement requirements.
  • Have a clear criminal history. You must undergo a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC), which we will organise prior to the work experience placement.
  • Obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and an NDIS Worker Screening Check (NDIS-WC). These are required prior to commencing work placement in the disability sector or with any organisation delivering supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It is your responsibility to apply for and obtain these checks before placement.
  • Physically capable to perform manual handling and other physically demanding tasks. This includes supporting individuals with mobility and personal care needs.
  • Be able to perform at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor. This is a requirement for successful completion of HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, which is included in this course.

Note: Some work placement organisations may require a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate and/or current influenza vaccination to undertake placement at their site. We will advise you of any specific requirements prior to the commencement of your work experience placement.

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

  • A desktop computer, laptop, or tablet capable of running modern applications and accessing the internet
  • Reliable internet connection so you can access your results online and study without interruptions
  • An email account to receive course communications

DIGITAL CAPABILITY

  • Internet Skills such as navigating websites and using search engines (e.g. Google) to find reliable information, logging in to and using online web-based systems, and completing digital forms
  • Computer Skills such as open, save, upload and download documents
  • Email Skills such as accessing and reading emails, sending and replying to emails, attaching files to emails, and downloading or opening email attachments

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is delivered in the following modes;

CLASSROOM

Attend daytime, trainer-led workshops in person at our Warabrook NSW Training Campus. Workshops are held (2) – (3) days per week, with days varying depending on the training schedule.

 

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

Assessment Strategies
Each unit will comprise of a number of assessment tasks which may include short knowledge tests, case studies, research, written questions and participating in practical activities such as observations, roleplays, simulated assessments and presentations.

Work Placement
As part of this course, you will be required to complete a structured work experience placement, giving you the opportunity to apply your skills in a real-world care setting. We will organise the work placement for you.

The placement will be completed in two blocks: (3) week block mid course and (3) week block at the end of the course.

Before placement begins, you will be required to sign a Work Experience Agreement. You will also receive a logbook containing workplace activities and practical observations that must be completed and signed off by a qualified workplace supervisor or team leader. Where possible, our trainers will visit your workplace to conduct direct observations and provide ongoing support throughout your placement.

Please click here for our full Work Placement Terms and Conditions. 

Training Plan
You will be issued with a personalised training plan that outlines your units of study and assessment due dates. This helps you stay organised and on track to complete your qualification within the expected timeframe.

Study Commitment
You should allow additional time outside of class to complete assessments. While the time needed may vary depending on your experience, learning style, and support needs, as a general guide, you should allow an extra (4) – (6) hours per week to stay on track with your coursework.

 

UNITS OF COMPETENCY

This qualification consists of (15) units in total, including (9) core units and (6) elective units.

CORE UNITS

CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing
CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

ELECTIVE UNITS

Elective units will vary depending on the specialisation chosen. All our upcoming intakes will complete the following electives:

AGEING SPECIALISATION

CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
CHCAGE013 Work effectively in aged care
CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
CHCCCS036 Support Relationships and families and carers
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
HLTAID011 Provide first aid

DISABILITY SPECIALISATION

CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support
CHCCCS044 Follow established person-centred behaviour supports
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
HLTAID011 Provide first aid

 

COURSE FEES

Subsidised Training

The price for this qualification will vary and is based upon specific eligibility requirements for government subsidies available at the time of your enrolment. As part of our Enrolment Application and Pre-Training Review process, we will assess your eligibility for any applicable funding or concessions. Once this is complete, you will be provided with a formal quote outlining your exact course fee before your enrolment is finalised.

Outlined below is the approximate fee range for this qualification:

Full Course CostNew Entrant Traineeship
(NSW Only)
NSW Smart and Skilled
(NSW Only)
$6,000Not Applicable$0 – $1,750
Eligibility Criteria Apply

Your fees are always protected, and we have safeguards in place to keep your payments secure. All transactions are processed in Australian Dollars (AUD) through trusted gateways like eWAY and Stripe, with your card details encrypted and never stored by us.

For extra convenience, you can also pay quickly and securely using Link, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES

Eligible students may be able to access government-funded training support through one of the following programs:

NSW Smart and Skilled – For NSW residents, this program may cover part or all of your course fees, depending on your eligibility.

Funding availability is subject to eligibility criteria and government guidelines. We’ll assess your eligibility during the enrolment application process and provide you with a course fee quote based on your circumstances. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information.

PAYMENT PLANS

We offer flexible payment plans to make it easier to manage your course fees. You can choose to pay in weekly or fortnightly instalments, helping to spread the cost over time. Our team is here to support you in setting up a plan that works for your budget.

Click here for more information.

REFUND POLICY

We understand that circumstances can change. Our refunds policy outlines your rights and options if you need to withdraw from your course. It includes details about eligibility, notice periods, and how to request a refund.

Click here for more information.

ENROLMENT PROCESS

There are (4) steps involved in our enrolment process. This process helps us ensure the course is suitable for your learning needs, check your eligibility for any available Government subsidies, and identify if any additional support is needed, so we can assist you right from the start.

The steps are:

  1. Complete an Online Enrolment Application. This form captures your personal details, course selection, and helps us begin preparing for your enrolment.
  2. Complete an Online Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Assessment. This is an important part of the process as it helps us understand how best to support you during your training and ensures the course is the best fit for you. You will need about (30) minutes to (1) hour of quiet, uninterrupted time to complete the assessment. It must be done on a computer or tablet—not on a mobile phone.
  3. Complete a Pre-Training Interview. One of our friendly Customer Relationships Officers will contact you for a quick chat to discuss your goals, course suitability, eligibility and any support you may need.
  4. Accept Your Course Fees Quote. Once your enrolment application has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll receive a course fee quote. Simply review and accept the quote to finalise your enrolment and secure your place.

To secure your place in the course, all (4) steps of the enrolment process must be fully completed. We encourage you to complete these steps as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your training and to help ensure a smooth enrolment experience.

Government-subsidised places are limited and not guaranteed. If you don’t complete your enrolment application promptly, you may miss out on securing a place. 

If your enrolment is not accepted, we’ll contact you to explain the reasons and explore other course or support options that may be more suitable for you.

We are unable to enrol International students at this time.

SUPPORT SERVICES

As a student, you’ll have access to a range of support services to help you succeed in your studies. This includes one-on-one trainer support, access to learning resources, help with technology, and guidance with study or personal challenges.

Click here to access our Student Support Services Guide, which provides a comprehensive overview of the support available to you throughout your course.

HOW TO APPLY

Our upcoming course intakes are listed below. To apply, simply click ‘Apply Now’ next to the course date you wish to start.

Please note: You will not be charged any fees until we have been able to assess your eligibility for funding. A $0 amount will be shown in the online application. The Customer Relationships Officer will provide you with a quote for your course fee as part of the Pre-Training Review process. On acceptance of the quote, a deposit will be required to finalise your enrolment.

International Students
Unfortunately, we are not an approved provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). If you are in Australia on a Study VISA, you are unable to enrol with us. However, if you are in Australia on any other VISA and you can provide a Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Statement that states that your VISA allows you to study in Australia, you may be able to enrol with us. Please note that even though you may be able to enrol with us, you may not be eligible to receive course funding.

STUDY PATHWAYS

Completing this qualification may open the door to further study in community services or related areas. Depending on your career goals you may choose to continue your education with:

CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services
CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

Enhance Your Skills in Complex Care Support

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In partnership with Benchmark Learning, we offer a range of non-accredited, online short courses developed to align with the NDIS Skill Descriptors and Aged Care Quality Standards. Whether you’re looking to upskill or meet compliance requirements, our modules provide practical, industry-relevant knowledge to support safe, quality care. Courses are affordable and designed for care workers and support staff needing accessible, self-paced learning. Check out our full online course library and start learning today.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) – Upcoming Courses


There are currently no openings available for this course.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) – Upcoming Courses


There are currently no openings available for this course.

 

*We reserve the right to cancel or postpone courses when minimum numbers are not met.