CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability)

Vocational Education Training

This nationally recognised qualification prepares students to work in community, home-based and residential care settings under supervision and delegation as part of a multi-disciplinary team. It reflects the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred care to individuals who may require support due to ageing, disability or other support needs.

• Why study this program?

  Australia’s ageing population and the continued growth of the disability sector, particularly through the NDIS, are creating strong and ongoing demand for skilled support workers. If you enjoy helping others, this qualification can lead to a rewarding career on both a personal and professional level. It also allows you to enter a high‑demand industry with solid job security and meaningful work that focuses on person‑centred care. It also helps you develop the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to meaningful, person‑centred care across a range of community and support settings.

• Program summary

  Core Units

  • CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
  • CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
  • CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing
  • CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
  • CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
  • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
  • CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
  • HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  • HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

  Elective Units

  • CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
  • CHCAGE013 Work effectively in aged care
  • CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
  • CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
  • CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
  • CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support

• Eligibility criteria

  Admission to Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) implies eligibility for enrolment as a domestic student. Enrolment may be granted to any individual who meets the qualification criteria as described below.

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Be willing to obtain required industry clearances and are required to hold appropriate safety screening checks, such as a National Police Check (NPC) and a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) check, along with any other checks that may be required by specific workplaces or industry regulations, including a Working with Children Check (WWCC).
  • Possess digital skills and be familiar with Microsoft 365 (specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Students embarking on this this program should be aware that it involves tasks requiring an appropriate level of physical fitness and the capacity to perform manual handling activities.

  Pre-enrolment requirements for applicants are described below.

  • Complete and submit the Application for Enrolment form
  • Undertake a Language Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) Assessment
  • Participate in a pre-enrolment interview, which will take place before the program begins to ensure suitability and make sure students’ individual needs are met.

• Study and participation requirements

  • Students need to attend face-to-face theory and practical training for a minimum of 21 hours per week. Class hours are Monday to Wednesday, between 08:30 am to 5:00 pm
  • Students will require computer access with a reliable broadband internet connection and will need the skills and ability to use a computer, including earphones, a microphone, and a webcam.
  • Students are required to bring their own computer device (i.e. laptop or tablet) to use in class and are expected to complete extra hours of self-paced learning, assignment preparation, and research.

• Practicum component

  For the completion of this qualification, 120 hours of supervised work placement are mandatory and will be arranged by the University of Notre Dame Australia in a health care setting within the student’s local area where practicable, though this cannot be guaranteed.
  Students are required to work on Monday to Friday from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm while on work placement, this means that personal or work commitments need to be rearranged to be able to attend. Students will not be allowed to participate in placement hours on weekends or public holidays.

  Please note students are required to:

  • Arrange mandatory safety checks at their own cost before starting their work placement.
  • Complete a fitness to practice medical form.
  • Meet mandatory vaccination requirements, including COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccinations, as well as any additional vaccinations specified by aged care facilities.
  • Travel to an appropriate health facility to complete their work placement.

• Career opportunities

  Upon successful completion, students could seek employment opportunities in roles such as:

  • Personal Support Worker
  • Personal Care Assistant/Worker
  • Personal Carer
  • Care Aide/worker
  • Multi Skilled Support Worker
  • Support Worker
  • Disability Support Worker
  • Community Disability
  • Support Worker
  • Residential Support Worker
  • Aged Care Support Worker

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to VET students.

• Fees and costs

  WA residents study for free in 2026*

  Vocational Employment and Training's CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) is tuition free in WA throughout 2026. This program is subsidised by Jobs and Skills WA for people living in Western Australia.  Please note that access to subsidised training is subject to availability.

  *Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply. Free tuition is available for WA residents only. The student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees and other fees. Full fees without state funding could be as high as $8169.21.

  Other costs related to your program

  You may need to pay for other costs associated with your program in addition to your program fees. We’ve put together a guide for what you could expect to pay.

  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Check	$145 for paid employees $11 for volunteers/unpaid workers $80 for eligible concession card holders.
  National Police Certificate	$64.90
  Seasonal influenza vaccination	Costs vary. Free for eligible individuals. Appointment fees may apply.
  COVID-19 vaccination	Costs vary. Free for eligible individuals. Appointment fees may apply.
  Depending on the work placement setting additional vaccination may be required, as stated by the Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability & Ageing.	Costs vary. Free for eligible individuals. Appointment fees may apply.

  *All costs listed are provided as a guide and are subject to change.

• More information

  View application steps for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program on How to apply – VET.

  If you have questions about applying for a VET program at Notre Dame or need help completing your application, please contact us at 08 9433 0168 or vetadmin@nd.edu.au.