Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
Overview
See yourself as empathetic, patient and kind? Our Certificate III in Individual Support is designed with flexibility in mind. We use a blended approach of online theory and on-campus practicals, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Once theory is complete, attend practical sessions at times that suit you, including evening, daytime and Saturday options. Learn core skills in a safe, simulated environment before undertaking placement.
As part of this course you will undertake a minimum 120 hours of work placement (sourced by Swinburne).
Certificate III Individual Support is a pre-requisite for Certificate IV in Disability.
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Want to see where you’ll start mastering your trade?
Come to the Swinburne Study Expo for a hands-on look at the workshops and facilities where you could be learning – and meet the teachers who’ll get you there.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience. This course requires the completion of 120 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placement, typically over a 3 week period.
Swinburne is responsible for sourcing all clinical placements for students. During placement, students will be expected to work 8 hour shifts excluding lunch.
Topics you'll cover
- Ageing support
- Disability support
- Person-centered care
- Infection control
Skills you’ll learn
- Personal care for vulnerable clients across aged care and disability
- Effective communication skills
- Manual handling skills
Your career opportunities
- Home and community care worker
- Support services assistant
- Individual and disability support worker
- Aged care worker
- Personal care assistant
- Accommodation support worker
Why Swinburne?
91.5% of graduates are employed or pursuing further study
87.1% of students are satisfied with their training
80.9% of students are likely to recommend Swinburne
Admissions
Our Certificate III in Individual Support is designed with flexibility in mind to suit your needs. We use a blended approach of on-line theory and on-campus practicals. Learn theory at your own pace choosing a time that fits your schedule. Once you’ve completed the theory components, attend practical sessions at your convenience. We offer evening, daytime and Saturday sessions to accommodate your availability.
Our industry expert teachers will be by your side throughout your academic journey, offering guidance at every stage. We provide a range of academic resources to assist you including help with assignments, English language, time management and study strategies. Additionally, our services encompass disability support and counselling ensuring that all students have the necessary resources to excel in their academic pursuits. Your success remains our top priority.
Please note that the duties of an Individual Support Worker may be quite physically demanding and should be considered and/or discussed before applying if there are any concerns.
Applicants for this course must meet the following entry criteria:
* be 18 years at the time of placement.
Mandatory documentation
Applicants are required to hold and submit the following documentation:
- National Police Check (If an applicant believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for this course and work within the healthcare environment).
- a Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.
Applicants may be required to obtain the following:
- NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Course pre-requisites
Language, literacy and numeracy
Applicants are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills assessment as part of the application process. This will assist in determining course suitability and identifying whether additional support may be required.
The approved online skills assessment tool used to determine language, literacy and numeracy skills within the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) is Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB).
The levels required for this course are:
- language and literacy level 2-3
- minimum foundation digital skills.
Other requirements
Please note that the duties of an Allied Health Assistant are quite physically demanding and if there are any concerns, should be considered and/or discussed before applying.
Students must be able to perform the physical activities required to be deemed competent in placement, some examples are:
- pushing and pulling of equipment and/or patients
- pifting and carrying of equipment and/or patients
- day-to-day activities including prolonged standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, and bending over
- manual handing of equipment and/or patients
- hydrotherapy
- exercise demonstration and facilitation with patients.
Immunisations
Immunisations are a requirement to work within health, and up-to-date evidence of immunisations are required to complete assessment requirements within the workplace. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be eligible to complete this program.
Immunisation requirements include the following:
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Tuberculosis
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- COVID-19.
For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the:
Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.
It is the student’s responsibility to check the current COVID-19 mask mandate and whether it will affect their ability to undertake placement.
Computer software
This course requires the use of some software from Microsoft 365 and Adobe. Swinburne allows students to access this software through the Swinburne system at no cost.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks that define a job and must be performed for successful execution. This course involves practical and physical demands, as well as behavioural abilities, required for assessments and professional placements in nursing.
These skills are crucial for career progression in the field. The Inherent Requirements information helps applicants assess their ability to successfully participate in and complete the course.
Effective communication is the key to providing safe and competent care – without it, the needs of the client cannot be determined.
- A support worker is required to communicate with a wide variety of people ranging from health care professionals to the person requiring care and their families.
- You must be able to speak clearly and provide instructions, understand and use non -verbal cues to enhance communication, adjust your communication style depending on who you are interacting with, demonstrate respect and empathy when communicating.
Vision
Students need to be able to see clearly. For example:
- read small print on medications, labels and expiry dates
- administer eye drops safely
- notice differences in skin colour.
Hearing
The ability to hear clearly is imperative to safe practice. Some important tasks that depend on being able to hear are:
- listening to breath sounds
- communicating with clients
- hearing different vocal tones or sounds.
This refers to being able to use the muscle groups in your body to lift, carry, push, pull, twist and bend.
You will be expected to:
- bend, squat and kneel to assist with moving or positioning patients
- move equuipment in confined spaces and over defined distances
- assist clients with personal care needs such as showering, dressing and toileting.
You will need to use fine motor skills which is the ability to undertake coordinated movements of the hands.
- stand and walk for extended periods throughout an 8-hour shift
- maintain a high level of concentration, performing multiple physical and mental tasks over the period of a day in order to provide safe and effective care to clients.
Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully. Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour. Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in all learning environments. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully with appropriate support.
This course requires that you can manage multiple demands with engagement, focus and composure.
You must be able to manage client content of a sensitive, confronting or traumatic nature with objectivity and accuracy.
Credit transfer
Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.
RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
-
Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Course structure
To be awarded this Qualification, students will complete 15 units (nine core and six electives) and successfully complete a practical placement of 120 hours.
Please note that whilst all attempts are made to make this three week full time placement available at the end of the course work completion, you will be advised during the course what Provider and date has been allocated to you. While significant effort is made to match students geographically to placements, students do need to be prepared to travel to placements in the event that this is required. Students who are already working in the Industry, and would like this considered as a work placement, are required to contact the Placement Coordinator at the commencement of the course.
The course has been structured so that students graduate with the Certificate III in Individual Support, with a specialisation in Ageing and Disability.
Indicative nominal course hours: 945.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Communicate and work in health or community services
Core unit |
CHCCOM005 |
|
Work legally and ethically
Core unit |
CHCLEG001 |
|
Work with diverse people
Core unit |
CHCDIV001 |
|
Recognise Healthy Body Systems
Core unit |
CHCCCS041 |
|
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Core unit |
HLTWHS002 |
|
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Core unit |
HLTINF006 |
|
Support Independence and Wellbeing
Core unit |
CHCCCS040 |
|
Provide Individualised Support
Core unit |
CHCCCS031 |
|
Facilitate the empowerment of people recieving support
Core unit |
CHCCCS038 |
| Elective units | |
|
Work effectively in aged care
Elective unit |
CHCAGE013 |
|
Provide support to people living with dementia
Elective unit |
CHCAGE011 |
|
Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
Elective unit |
CHCDIS011 |
|
Support community participation and social inclusion
Elective unit |
CHCDIS012 |
|
Work effectively in disability support
Elective unit |
CHCDIS020 |
|
Deliver care services using a pallative approach
Elective unit |
CHCPAL003 |
2026 fees
Free TAFE eligible students
Full fee* ($AUD)
$13,190
Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)
$3,360
2026 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$0.00
Skills first government-subsidised place
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)
If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.
The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.
Concessions rates for vocational students
If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.
-
Study this course for free in 2026
You could have your tuition fees covered in 2026 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE initiative.
Free TAFE is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.
There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2026 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.