The CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support is a nationally recognised qualification for domestic students who want to develop skills for work in disability support, community care, home care and related support environments.
This course reflects the role of support workers who provide person-centred support to people with disability. Workers at this level may work in community settings, home-based support environments, residential care, respite or other disability support settings.
Students develop practical skills in person-centred disability support, community participation, behaviour support, mental health support, legal and ethical practice, workplace communication, workplace safety, and supporting people with complex needs.
The course also includes mandatory work placement, allowing students to apply their learning in a real disability support or community care environment and complete required workplace-based activities.
This course is delivered through a blended delivery model for domestic students.
Students complete theory components through online learning activities, digital learning resources and self-paced study.
Students are also required to attend face-to-face classes at least once per week to complete practical learning activities. These classes may include:
- role-plays
- simulations
- practical demonstrations
- trainer-led skills practice
- assessment preparation
- supervised practical learning activities
Face-to-face classes are an important part of the course because students must develop and demonstrate practical skills that reflect real disability support, community care, home care and related support environments.
Domestic students have up to 52 weeks to complete this course.
Students who have previously completed relevant study or have existing skills and experience may be eligible to apply for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning. This may reduce the amount of training or assessment required, depending on the evidence provided and INT College’s assessment process.
During this course, students develop the skills and knowledge required to provide safe, ethical and person-centred support to people with disability.
Students will learn how to:
- follow established person-centred behaviour supports
- facilitate community participation and social inclusion
- support ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach
- provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs
- work with people with mental health issues
- manage legal and ethical compliance
- maintain work health and safety
- communicate effectively with clients, families, carers, colleagues and workplace supervisors
- support independence, self-reliance, participation and wellbeing
- apply disability support skills in simulated and real workplace environments
- support care needs using a palliative approach, where relevant to the support context
Domestic students applying for this course should:
- be 18 years of age or older
- have completed Year 12 or an equivalent secondary school qualification, or be able to demonstrate suitable language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills for the course
- complete INT College’s Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment before enrolment
- meet any additional enrolment or work placement requirements
- meet the qualification entry requirements for CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
Applicants must also have completed a recognised disability support entry pathway. Relevant entry pathways may include:
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), where the completed qualification and units meet the disability support entry pathway requirements
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability plus CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set
INT College will assess evidence of previous study as part of the enrolment process.
In accordance with regulatory requirements, domestic students may be required to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills assessment prior to enrolment. This helps INT College identify any learning support needs and provide appropriate support during the course.
Prior work experience in the disability support industry is not required unless specified in the course entry requirements. However, applicants must meet the qualification entry pathway and any additional enrolment or work placement requirements.
Additional work placement requirements may apply depending on the policies of the approved host facility.
Graduates of the CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support may seek employment opportunities in disability support, community care, home care and related support settings.
Possible job outcomes may include:
- Disability Support Worker
- Disability Officer
- Disability Officer — Day Support
- Community Care Worker
- Residential Care Worker
- Senior Disability Support Worker
- Support Facilitator
- Social Educator
- Disability Team Leader
- Employment Coordinator — Disability
Employment outcomes depend on individual circumstances, employer requirements, workplace availability, and any additional checks or clearances required by the employer or host organisation.
Completion of this qualification does not guarantee employment or professional registration.
After completing CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support, students may choose to continue their studies in a higher-level community services, disability support, health or care-related qualification.
Possible further study pathways may include:
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- other community services, disability support, health or care-related qualifications
Entry into further study is subject to the admission requirements of the receiving training provider and qualification.
To be awarded the CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support, students must successfully complete 10 units of competency, consisting of 7 core units and 3 elective units.
Core Units
| Unit Code | Unit Title |
|---|---|
| CHCCCS044 | Follow established person-centred behaviour supports |
| CHCDIS017 | Facilitate community participation and social inclusion |
| CHCDIS018 | Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach |
| CHCDIS019 | Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
Elective Units
| Unit Code | Unit Title |
|---|---|
| CHCPAL003 | Deliver care services using a palliative approach |
| CHCDIS012 | Support community participation and social inclusion |
| CHCDIS020 | Work effectively in disability support |
Assessment is completed through a range of tasks designed to reflect realistic workplace situations.
Assessment methods may include:
- knowledge questions
- case studies
- role plays
- practical demonstrations
- simulated workplace tasks
- workplace observation
- work placement logbooks
Practical assessments may be conducted in simulated training environments and workplace settings, where students are required to demonstrate skills that reflect real disability support, community care and health-related workplace situations.
Students must achieve a satisfactory result in all required assessment tasks, demonstrate competency in all required units, and successfully complete all required work placement, logbook and workplace assessment requirements before the qualification can be issued.
What is work placement?
Work placement is a required part of this course. It gives students the opportunity to learn in a real workplace environment, apply the knowledge and skills developed during training, and demonstrate practical competencies required for the qualification.
While the CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support does not have a separate fixed work placement requirement listed at qualification level, relevant units do require students to demonstrate skills in a real workplace environment and complete practical workplace-based activities. For this reason, INT College requires students to complete 160 hours of work placement as part of the approved training and assessment arrangement.
Work placement also supports student learning by helping students develop practical skills, confidence and workplace awareness in disability support and community care settings.
Students must complete 160 hours of mandatory work placement in an approved disability support, community care, home care, respite, residential care or other suitable support environment before the qualification can be issued. Work placement supports students to apply classroom and online learning, complete practical workplace-based activities, and demonstrate required skills in a real workplace environment.
When does work placement take place?
Work placement usually occurs after students have completed relevant learning and assessment requirements and are ready to demonstrate practical skills in the workplace.
The timing of work placement will depend on the student’s progress, course requirements, trainer approval, and availability of the approved host facility.
Placement schedules and shift times are arranged in consultation with the host facility.
What will I do during work placement?
During work placement, students may complete practical tasks under supervision and demonstrate skills related to person-centred disability support, community participation, communication, workplace safety, support planning, behaviour support and working with people with complex needs.
Students are supervised by workplace staff and monitored by INT College trainers and assessors. Students will have contact with their trainer or assessor during placement, including site visits where required.
Workplace supervisors support students during their shifts, while final assessment decisions are made by INT College trainers and assessors.
What are the benefits of work placement?
Work placement allows students to:
- apply course learning in a real disability support or community care environment
- develop practical, on-the-job skills
- build confidence working with clients, colleagues and workplace supervisors
- understand workplace expectations, routines and professional standards
- consolidate learning through supervised workplace practice
- complete required workplace assessment tasks and logbook activities
Where can work placement take place?
Placement may take place in an approved disability support, community care, home care, respite, residential care or other suitable support environment, depending on course requirements and placement availability.
Host facilities provide students with access to workplace equipment, resources and real support environments. INT College works with approved placement providers to support suitable placement opportunities for students.
Placement availability, location, roster and shift times are subject to host facility requirements. INT College does not guarantee a specific placement location, facility, shift time or placement outcome.
Are there physical requirements for work placement?
Work placement may involve physically demanding tasks depending on the workplace environment. This may include standing for extended periods, assisting clients with mobility, manual handling activities, using workplace equipment, and completing practical support tasks under supervision.
Students should advise INT College as early as possible if they have any health condition, disability or physical limitation that may affect their ability to participate in practical training or work placement. This allows INT College to consider reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
What do I need before starting work placement?
Before commencing work placement, students may be required to provide:
- National Police Check
- Current First Aid Certificate, where required – HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid)
- relevant vaccinations or immunisation records, where required
- COVID-19 vaccination evidence, if required by the host facility
- NDIS Worker Screening Check, where required
- any additional documents, checks or evidence required by the host facility
Students are welcome to complete HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) with INT College, where it is available at a discounted rate for students enrolled in one of our qualifications. Students may also choose to complete First Aid through any accredited provider.
Host facility requirements may vary. If a student’s documents do not meet the host facility’s requirements, the student may be asked to provide further evidence or complete additional requirements before commencing placement.
Work placement requirements will be discussed with students before placement. Students will be advised of the specific documents, checks or evidence required by the host facility.
What support will I receive during work placement?
INT College organises work placement for students as part of this course. Students will have regular contact with their trainer or assessor during placement, including site visits where required.
Students are partnered with workplace staff and supervised by a designated workplace supervisor while on shift. The trainer or assessor and workplace supervisor help guide the student through the placement period.
Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from placement and must attend all scheduled shifts in accordance with the placement timetable and host facility requirements.
Do I need to complete work placement to receive the qualification?
Yes. All 160 hours of work placement, logbook requirements and workplace assessments must be successfully completed before the qualification can be issued.
INT College recognises prior learning and previous study through Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer processes.
Students who have existing skills, knowledge, work experience or previously completed equivalent units may apply for assessment through RPL or Credit Transfer.
Students are not required to repeat any unit in which they have already been assessed as competent, unless a regulatory requirement requires this. If a student provides suitable evidence that they have successfully completed an equivalent unit at another Registered Training Organisation, they may be granted Credit Transfer for that unit.
Where a previously completed unit is not identical, INT College may undertake an equivalency review to determine whether the previous study aligns with the relevant unit offered by INT College before Credit Transfer is granted.
Credit Transfer is different from Recognition of Prior Learning. Credit Transfer recognises equivalent formal study that has already been successfully completed. RPL is an assessment-only pathway used to determine whether a student already has the skills and knowledge required for a unit of competency.
Applications are assessed in accordance with INT College policies and evidence requirements. Students can contact INT College administration staff for more information about the RPL and Credit Transfer process.
INT College provides access to student support services to assist students during their studies.
Support may include:
- academic support
- language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills support
- student wellbeing support
- referral to external support services, where required
- assistance with understanding course progress and assessment requirements
- support with work placement preparation
- support with online and self-paced study
- support with practical skills development during face-to-face classes
- support to develop higher-level study skills required at Certificate IV level
- support with disability support practice, workplace communication and practical skills development
Students who require additional support are encouraged to speak with INT College as early as possible so that appropriate assistance can be arranged.
If you are interested in studying with us, please contact INT College to discuss your study options and the course that best suits your goals. Course fees may vary depending on your individual circumstances, including your visa status, whether you are a permanent resident or citizen, and whether you are eligible for any Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning.
Students may choose to pay their course fees upfront or request an approved payment plan. Any payment plan must be approved by INT College and followed according to the agreed payment schedule.
INT College accepts the following payment methods:
- bank transfer
- credit or debit card
- cash payment at the INT College campus
A card surcharge may apply to payments made by card.
Before enrolling, students should read the current fee information, refund policy, enrolment terms and the relevant student handbook or student information provided by INT College.
For current fee details, contact INT College:
Phone: 1800 046 846
Email: info@int.edu.au
Before enrolling in this course, students should carefully read all course information, including:
- entry requirements
- course duration
- study mode and attendance expectations
- online and self-paced study requirements
- face-to-face practical class requirements
- assessment requirements
- work placement requirements
- fees and charges
- refund conditions
- student support services
- Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer information
- relevant student handbook or student information provided by INT College
Students are encouraged to contact INT College before applying if they have questions about course suitability, work placement requirements, face-to-face class requirements, support needs, fees or study expectations.
INT Nurse Training Pty Ltd trading as INT College
RTO Code: 45232
ABN: 44 614 478 572
St Marys Campus
5/40 Phillip Street
St Marys NSW 2760
Dubbo Campus
3/30 Blueridge Drive
Dubbo NSW 2830
Phone: 1800 046 846
Email: info@int.edu.au
The CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support is a nationally recognised qualification for students who want to develop skills for work in disability support, community care, home care and related support environments.
This course supports students to build knowledge in person-centred disability support, community participation, behaviour support, mental health support, legal and ethical practice, workplace communication, workplace safety and support for people with complex needs.
This course is suitable for students who want to develop practical skills for disability support and community care roles.
It may be suitable for students who have completed a recognised disability support entry pathway and want to continue developing their skills at Certificate IV level.
Students develop skills in person-centred disability support, community participation, behaviour support, mental health support, legal and ethical compliance, workplace health and safety, communication, support planning and practical disability support skills.
Students also complete practical training and workplace-based activities to support the development of real workplace skills.
Yes. This course includes practical training and workplace-based assessment activities.
Students complete online learning, self-paced study, face-to-face practical classes, assessment tasks and mandatory work placement to help develop skills that reflect real disability support, community care, home care and related support environments.
Yes. Students are required to attend face-to-face classes at least once per week to complete practical learning activities, role-plays, simulations and skills-based training.
These classes help students develop practical skills for disability support, community care, home care and related support environments.
Students can complete theory components through flexible online and self-paced study within the approved course completion timeframe.
Students are also required to attend face-to-face classes at least once per week for practical learning activities and must complete all learning, assessment and work placement requirements before the qualification can be issued.
Work placement helps students apply course learning in a real disability support or community care environment and complete practical workplace-based activities.
It also supports students to build confidence, understand workplace expectations, and develop practical experience working with clients, workplace supervisors and support teams.
Work placement may take place in an approved disability support, community care, home care, respite, residential care or other suitable support environment, depending on course requirements and placement availability.
Placement arrangements are subject to host facility requirements, workplace availability and the student’s approved enrolment arrangement.
Students must meet INT College’s academic, language, literacy, numeracy, digital skills and enrolment requirements for this course.
Students must also meet the qualification entry pathway requirements for CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support. INT College will assess evidence of previous study as part of the enrolment process.
Students who have completed CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) may be eligible to progress to CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support where the completed qualification and units meet the disability support entry pathway requirements.
INT College will assess evidence of previous study as part of the enrolment process.
Prior work experience in disability support is not required unless specified in the course entry requirements. However, students must meet the qualification entry pathway requirements and any additional enrolment or work placement requirements.
INT College supports students with different levels of experience and learning needs throughout the course.
Graduates may seek employment opportunities in disability support, community care, home care and related support settings.
Possible job outcomes may include Disability Support Worker, Disability Officer, Community Care Worker, Residential Care Worker, Senior Disability Support Worker, Support Facilitator, Social Educator or Disability Team Leader.
Employment outcomes depend on individual circumstances, employer requirements, workplace availability and any required checks or clearances.
No. Completion of CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support does not guarantee employment or professional registration.
Employment outcomes depend on individual circumstances, employer requirements, workplace availability and any required checks or clearances.
After completing CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support, students may choose to continue studying a higher-level community services, disability support, health or care-related qualification.
Entry into further study is subject to the admission requirements of the receiving training provider and qualification.
Students can contact INT College to discuss course suitability, entry requirements, fees, work placement requirements, support services and the enrolment process.
Before applying, students should read the current course information, enrolment terms, refund policy, fee information and the relevant student handbook or student information provided by INT College.
critical information
Course Description
Study Mode and Attendance
Course Duration
What You Will Learn
Entry Requirements
Career Opportunities
Further Study Pathways
Course Structure
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Work Placement
Recognition of Prior Learning
Student Support
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Before You Enrol
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