Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

CHC33021
18 months
Online with work placement

Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Earn a Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online with Swinburne Open Education. Flexible study options available.

  • 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 Disability will get you there.

Learn how to empower and support people with disabilities to become more independent and live rich and full lives. Study to gain a CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online with Swinburne Open Education.

This disability support course will give you the skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings.

Pursue meaningful work with huge growth potential. Start your career in disability support services and learn how to make a real difference in the lives of people living with disability.

Our flexible online study allows you to continue with your current role while you study. Enrol now to study Certificate III in disability 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:

  • Skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities

  • How to empower and support people in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings

  • Support and work alongside other health care professionals

  • Work with a diverse client group.

 

Career options include:

 

  • Disability support worker

  • Personal care assistant

  • Residential care officer

  • Accommodation support worker

  • NDIS support worker.

Elderly man smiles at camera.

 

Start your career in the community services sector

Source: Career outcome information from Your Career (July 2024).

 

Why study Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online

  • This certificate in disability support is nationally recognised

  • Learn to help people with disabilities become more independent and live fulfilling lives

  • Gain skills to provide care to people with disabilities in residential, community, healthcare, and NDIS settings

  • Flexible online study allows you to balance learning with your current role

Young man with down syndrome smiles as he is hugged by his happy disability support carers

 

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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Once you have enrolled in this 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 disability support course contains an introductory module.

Expand units below, to get an understanding of topics and objectives.

CHCCCS031
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

CHCCCS017
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
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
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
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
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.

CHCDIV002
CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety

The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety.

Course requirements

To enrol in this Certificate III in disability course, students must be 18 years of age or above.

Students will need to be reasonably physically fit to undertake the work placement as the tasks and activities associated with the work placement may involve manual lifting and other physical activities.

This course is only available in Victoria, Australia. It is not available to International students or students based outside of Victoria.

The Swinburne Open Education modern online learning platform has been designed so that you can study online anywhere, anytime. You will need to meet the following IT requirements to use our platform for this Certificate III course:

Desktop or laptop

  • Latest version of Chrome or Safari

  • Microsoft Office (2010 or higher)

  • Adobe PDF Reader

Mobile or tablet*

  • Latest version of Chrome or Safari

  • Latest version of Android

  • Latest version of iOS

* Students using a mobile or tablet will need to upload documents from a laptop or desktop or have a Dropbox account.

The Certificate III 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.

Aeralife
Calvary logo

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 disability support frequently asked questions.

Read more FAQs

 

A disability support worker assists individuals with disabilities in various aspects of their lives.

This includes helping with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, providing emotional support, facilitating community participation, and ensuring their safety and well-being.

To become a disability support worker, you can

  • Start by enrolling in a disability support course, like Certificate III in Individual Support Disability or Certificate III in Individual Support Aging and Disability. This helps you build essential knowledge and skills.

  • Gain practical experience through internships or volunteering.

  • Apply for positions with disability support agencies or organisations.

  • Continue improving your skills with ongoing training.

For more details, you can read our blog post "How To Get A Disability Support Job & Salary Guide Australia."

Yes, being a disability support worker can be highly fulfilling and rewarding. You help people with disabilities in their daily lives, support them in reaching their goals. It's important to enjoy helping others to find the work fulfilling.

The job outlook is positive, with employment expected to grow by 30,200 annually.

Yes, the Job and Skills Australia website shows skilled Personal Care Assistants are a priority across all of Australia for 2024, with strong demand expected in the future.

Being a disability support worker can be challenging, but it depends on the person. While it doesn’t need a lot of formal education, it does require patience, empathy, and flexibility.

Taking a course like the Certificate III in Individual Support Disability can make the job easier and train you for succeed. This disability support worker course includes important modules like "Work effectively in disability support" and "Support people with autism spectrum disorder" giving you the skills to manage the challenges.

On average, a disability support worker earns around $72,786 annually (2024).

The salary of a disability support worker in Australia can vary depending on factors like level of experience, location of work, and employers. Completing a certificate in disability support can help you qualify for higher-paying positions in this field.

 

Similar online courses from Swinburne Open Education

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) Online

Develop skills to work with clients with different conditions and needs, including dementia and autism spectrum disorder.

Certificate IV in Community Services Online

Learn the skills and knowledge to provide support, advocacy, or interventions across community service, casework, or case management. Study online at Swinburne Open Education.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) Online

Gain the essential skills and knowledge required to work as an aged care worker. Pursue meaningful work and make a difference in someone’s life.

 

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