Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
Pursue meaningful work and come home every day knowing that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. Study online for a nationally recognised CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing. Gain the essential skills and knowledge required to work as an aged care worker.
Course code: CHC33021
Delivery mode: Online, with face to face workshops
Course duration: 18 months
Qualification: Certificate III
Eligibility: This course is not available to international students
Nationally recognised: Yes
Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment: Yes
Awarded by: Swinburne University of Technology
Assessments
Short answer questions
Projects
Case study
Role play
Portfolio
Video and reporting
Direct observation (assessed in real time in the workplace or in a simulated situation that reflects the workplace).
This course is only offered in Victoria.
Start a rewarding career in individual and aged care support with our Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing.
Earn a (CHC33021) Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing online with Swinburne Open Education. Join a rapidly growing industry and know that you’re making a difference in someone’s life.
As an aged care worker, you will help to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population with empathy, patience and a detail-oriented approach to care. Graduates can pursue work in individual and disability support, specialised care, in-home care and support service roles in government, not-for-profit and community organisations.
The best part about working as a carer? You’ll get to come home every day knowing that you’ve made a difference.
Maintain work/ life balance with flexible online study, allowing you to continue in a current role. Enrol to study aged care online. Work towards your Certificate III with Swinburne Open Education.
This course is only available in Victoria, Australia. It is not available to International students or students based outside of Victoria.
You will learn:
Provide effective and holistic aged care to individuals in government, not-for-profit and community organisations
Support and work alongside other healthcare professionals
Build your technical and soft skills, including interpersonal communication skills and relationship-building skills
Work with a diverse client group.
Career options include:
Aged care worker
Personal care assistant
Home care worker
Family support worker
Accommodation support worker.
Start your career in the community services sector
Source: Career outcome information from Your Career (Jan 2025).
Why study Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing online
This aged care certificate is nationally recognised
You'll make a real difference in people's lives
You'll develop effective communication skills for working with clients with different needs
Prepare for roles in individual support, disability support, and in-home care across government, non-profits, and community organisations
Study aged care online with flexibility, allowing you to continue with your current role while you study.
Study online with our world-class learning platform
Designed and delivered online so you can learn anywhere, anytime
Study on any device - desktop, tablet or mobile
Learn through regular trainer-lead online sessions and native content
Engage with your learning community through online forums and messages
Download your free online course guide
Enter your details and the Swinburne Open team will send you a free course guide with the info to get started. An Enrolment Consultant will be in touch to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.
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Online course modules
Once you have enrolled in this online course, you can access our online platform and start with the first module. You will need to complete a module and then the next module becomes available to you.
This online course contains 16 online modules, which have been designed to cover the following units of competency, including 9 core units and 6 elective units. This aged care course contains an introductory module.
Expand units below, to get an understanding of topics and objectives.
CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to organise, provide and monitor support services within the limits established by an individualised plan. The individualised plan refers to the support or service provision plan developed for the individual accessing the service and may have many different names in different organisations.
CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support, and to deliver rights-based services using a person-centred approach.
CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide individualised services in ways that support independence, as well as, physical and emotional wellbeing.
CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with basic information about the human body and to recognise and promote ways to maintain healthy functioning of the body.
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred care and support to people living with dementia. It involves following and contributing to an established individual plan. This unit applies to workers in a residential or community context, including family homes. Work performed requires some discretion and judgement and may be carried out under regular direct or indirect supervision.
CHCAGE013 Work effectively in aged care
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work effectively in an aged care work context. The unit covers meeting job requirements, complying with organisational requirements and working in an aged care sector context. This unit applies to individuals who work with older people in a range of community services and health contexts.
CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to the needs of people who are experiencing loss, grief and bereavement. This unit applies to workers in a range of community services and health contexts.
CHCCCS036 Support relationships with carer and family
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work positively with the carer and family of people using a service based on an understanding of their support needs.
CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with supporting the ongoing skill development of a person with disability. It involves following and contributing to an established individual plan and using a positive, strengths-based approach.
CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide care for people with life-limiting illness and those within the normal ageing process using a palliative approach, as well as end-of-life care. This unit applies to workers in a residential or community context.
Course requirements
The aged care course requires skills to be demonstrated within the workplace during 120 hours of Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment (SWLA). SWLA is conducted in an approved venue under a formal agreement between the host organisation, the student and Swinburne Open Education.
Swinburne Open Education partners with Aeralife and Calvary Care to place students in SWLA.
Please download the course guide (above) or get in touch for more information on SWLA.
Online study FAQs
We understand you need to fit study around your busy life. Our online learning platform is designed with this in mind, so you can study on any device, anywhere, anytime. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
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