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. This industry-designed qualification 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.
Course code: CHC33021
Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 18 months
Qualification: Certificate III
Nationally recognised: Yes
Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment: Yes
Awarded by: Swinburne University of Technology
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.
Start your career in a growth industry
72.6% Career Improvement
Percentage of course graduates that started or expanded a business, landed on a new job, or skilled up for a promotion or pay raise.
84.1% Health Care and Social Assistance workers
Percentage of course graduates working in the Health Care and Social Assistance industries.
$45,000 Salary
The middle of the range of salary earned of course graduates starting their first ever full-time job after graduating.
72.6% Career Improvement
Percentage of course graduates that started or expanded a business, landed on a new job, or skilled up for a promotion or pay raise.
84.1% Health Care and Social Assistance workers
Percentage of course graduates working in the Health Care and Social Assistance industries.
$45,000 Salary
The middle of the range of salary earned of course graduates starting their first ever full-time job after graduating.
Source: Statistics (accessed on 14 September 2022) are for course graduates in the Individual Support field (Certificate III). See more details at MySkills.gov.au
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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
Online course modules
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 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.
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
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
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 Provide loss and grief support
CHCCCS035 Support people with autism spectrum disorder
CHCCCS036 Support relationships with carer and family
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
Course requirements
The 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.
SWLA is grouped into 2 blocks. Although all units in this course have SWLA components, students will not commence SWLA until Module 7. Ensuring each student successfully completes theoretical components of learning and assessment in the first 7 online modules, prior to attending an approved facility. The same design has been applied to Modules 8 to 15. Students are required to complete theory components of these units prior to completing a 2nd block of SWLA. Students cannot be deemed as competent for a unit until their theory and practical (SWLA) assessment tasks are assessed as satisfactory.
See our SWLA Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Students must be 18 years of age or above and 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.
Eligible for Australian and New Zealand Residents and Citizens only.
Our modern online learning platform has been designed so that you can study anywhere, anytime. You will need to meet the following IT requirements to use or platform:
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.
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.
Q. How can I access trainer support?
You can access our dedicated trainer support using your choice of communication – online chat, email, phone call, or video chat.
Q. Do you help me find a job once I graduate?
At Swinburne Open Education, it’s not only about qualifications. We know you want to get a good job when you finish your studies, and our Careers Team will help you with valuable job-hunting skills such as CV writing and interview techniques. We are here to support you every step on the way. Our job finishes when yours starts.
Q. Can I pause my study if something in my life changes?
Self-paced learning gives you the flexibility to fit study around your life. We understand life doesn’t always go to plan. You can apply for extensions for up to 6 months (3 months per extension) if needed. See more details in our full FAQs.
Q. What if the course end up not being right for me?
If you are less than half way through your enrolment period and it’s not working out, you can opt-out of the second half and reduce your course fee liability to 50% of the total course fee. Refer to the Student Agreement for full terms and conditions.
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