Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) CHC33021

Learners may choose to enrol in the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) as an entry point to working in the ageing and disability support sector. Alternatively, they may undertake the qualification as a pathway to further education in:

• CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability
• HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
• HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
• CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services

During this course, you'll learn how to:

• Communicate and work in health or community services
• Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
• Provide individualised support
• Work with diverse people
• Work legally and ethically
• Support independence and wellbeing
• Recognise healthy body systems
• Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
• Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
• Support community participation and social inclusion
• Work effectively in disability support
• Provide support to people living with dementia
• Work effectively in aged care
• Deliver care services using a palliative approach

• Multiple choice quiz
• Role plays
• Video
• Written assessments
• Work placement

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Recommended Local Entry Requirements

Students will need to be at least 18 years old. Students under 18 will need a parent or guardian to complete the parent or guardian declaration on the Enrolment Form.

Students residing in WA/NT under the age of 18, who are not currently studying for their year 12 certificate cannot be enrolled.

Students are recommended to have the language, literacy, and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to read and comprehend technical terms and communicate effectively through email.

These skills are equivalent to:

• Successfully completed Year 11 OR
• ACSF Level 2 OR
• Successful completion of a nationally recognised Certificate II qualification or higher

Tools, equipment, and skills required:

• Access to up to 3 people to participate in role plays and assessments
• Access to a device with audio & video capabilities to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• A simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions for role-play with facilities and equipment
• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet
• Access to Microsoft Office
• Basic computing skills

Additional Requirements:

• Students need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as the role involves physical tasks such as assisting clients with personal care, mobility, and transfers.
• Additionally, where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, students must have the requisite fitness level that enables them to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult manikin placed on the floor.

NDIS worker screening and blue card:

Students can link their NDIS worker screening and blue card to Integrated Care and Management Training so that they can receive a student version. Students are provided a link on how to do this in OpenSpace in the FAQs.

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

Focus on your studies while we handle your work placement. Through our partnership with SkilTrak, our Guaranteed Work Placement ensures you gain hands-on experience in your dream career—right in your local area. Learn more

• Meet with SkilTrak – Their team will discuss your skills, goals, location, and travel preferences to arrange the best placement for you.
• We’ll do the work – While you continue your coursework, we’ll be behind the scenes securing the perfect placement match.
• Get the details – Have a quick chat with us to go over what to expect from your work placement experience.
• Start your placement – Gain real-world experience while we check in along the way to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Complete your course – Once your placement is done, upload your workbooks, finish your final assessment, and receive your certificate.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) will require a minimum of 160 hours in at least one regulated disability care organisation.

The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is completed at the end of the course. Students should start looking for placement facilities once they have commenced their studies. Once they have completed 75% of their course, they can submit their workplace approval form.

There will also be specific assessment tasks including a logbook and portfolios to be completed at the workplace.

Workplaces suitable to undertake SWL include:

• Residential facilities
• Group homes
• Respite care services
• Home care services

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

The workplace may require the student to meet workplace-specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• Police Check
• NDIS Worker Screening
• Working with Children Check
• Occupational Assessment
• Screening and vaccination against infectious diseases, including COVID-19
• Signing of Codes of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreements
• First Aid Certificate
• Psychological testing
• Manual Handling certification
  

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent or higher plus at least 18 months experience in industry. Other suitable qualifications

• Certificate IV in Ageing
• Diploma of Community Services
• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses