Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
Make a difference in people's lives. Learn to support diverse clients in the aged care and disability sector. Earn a nationally recognised CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing and Disability online with Swinburne Open Education.
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.
If you’re searching for a fulfilling career where each day can be different to the next, the Certificate III in Individual Support will get you there.
Study online to gain a Certificate III in Individual Support Ageing and Disability with Swinburne Open Education. Learn how to support diverse clientele’s independence and well-being within the industry’s legal framework.
You will develop skills to apply sound communication strategies when dealing with clients with different conditions and needs, including dementia and autism spectrum disorder. This Certificate III in aged care and disability will also give you a sound understanding of body systems to be able to cater for individual needs, including palliative care.
Pursue meaningful work with huge growth potential. Start your career in individual support services and learn how to make a real difference in the lives of people living with varying conditions and needs.
Our flexible online study allows you to continue with your current role while you study. Enrol now to study individual support online. Earn your Cert 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:
How to support diverse clientele’s independence and wellbeing within the industry’s legal framework
Skills to apply sound communication strategies when dealing with clients with different conditions and needs, including dementia and autism spectrum disorder
The knowledge and understanding of body systems to be able to cater for individual needs, including palliative care
Career options include:
Aged care or disability carer
Support worker
Personal care aide
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 and Disability online
Nationally recognised qualification
Learn how to make a positive impact on the lives of people with various needs
You will learn how to communicate effectively with clients who have different conditions, such as dementia and autism
This aged care and disability course covers knowledge of body systems, allowing you to provide tailored care, including palliative care
Flexible online study allows you to keep your current job while learning
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 aged care and disability 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 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.
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.
CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with supporting people with disability in community participation and social inclusion using a person-centred approach. This involves enabling people to make choices to maximise their participation in various community settings, functions and activities to enhance psychosocial well-being and lifestyle in accordance with the person’s needs and preferences.
CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work effectively in a disability support work context. The unit covers meeting job requirements, complying with organisational requirements and working in a disability sector context. This unit applies to individuals who work with people with disability in a range of community services and health contexts.
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 Certificate III in Individual Support 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 individual support frequently asked questions.
Read more FAQs
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