The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) is a nationally recognised qualification for domestic students who want to develop entry-level skills for work in aged care, disability support, home care, community care and related support environments.
This course reflects the role of support workers who provide person-centred support to people who may need assistance due to ageing, disability, illness or other support needs.
Students develop practical skills in personal care, communication, safe work practices, infection prevention and control, supporting independence and wellbeing, and working respectfully with diverse people.
The course also includes mandatory work placement, allowing students to apply their learning in a real care or support 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 aged care, disability support, home care and community care 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 in aged care and disability support settings.
Students will learn how to:
- provide individualised support
- support independence and wellbeing
- provide personal care support
- communicate effectively with clients, families, carers and health professionals
- work legally and ethically
- follow safe work practices for direct client care
- apply infection prevention and control practices
- support people living with dementia
- work effectively in aged care
- work effectively in disability support
- support community participation and social inclusion
- recognise healthy body systems
- use strengths-based approaches when supporting people with disability
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
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 experience in aged care, disability support, individual support or community services is not required unless specified in the course entry requirements. INT College supports students with different levels of experience and learning needs throughout the course.
Additional work placement requirements may apply depending on the policies of the approved host facility.
Graduates of the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) may seek entry-level employment opportunities in aged care, disability support, community care, home care, residential care and related support settings.
Possible job outcomes may include:
- Individual Support Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Personal Care Worker
- Residential Support Worker
- Care Worker
- Care Assistant
- Community Care Worker
- Home Care Worker
- Home Respite Worker
- Residential Care Worker
- Disability Support Worker
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 CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), students may choose to continue their studies in a higher-level community services, aged care, disability support, health or care-related qualification.
Possible further study pathways may include:
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
- CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
- 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 CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), students must successfully complete 15 units of competency, consisting of 9 core units and 6 elective units.
The Ageing and Disability specialisation includes elective units from both the ageing and disability support groups.
Core Units
| Unit Code | Unit Title |
|---|---|
| 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
| Unit Code | Unit Title |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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 aged care, disability support and community care 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.
Students must complete 160 hours of mandatory work placement in an approved aged care, disability support, home care, community care, residential care, respite or other suitable support environment.
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 support, personal care, communication, workplace safety, infection prevention and control, supporting independence and wellbeing, and working appropriately in aged care and disability support environments.
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 care or support environment
- develop practical, on-the-job skills
- build confidence working with clients, residents, 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 aged care, disability support, home care, community care, residential care, respite or other suitable support environment, depending on course requirements and placement availability.
Host facilities provide students with access to workplace equipment, resources and real care or 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, including direct personal care, assisting clients with mobility, transfers and other manual handling activities.
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)
- Influenza vaccination, where required
- COVID-19 vaccination evidence, if required by the host facility
- immunisation records, where required
- 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
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 CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) is a nationally recognised qualification for students who want to develop entry-level skills for work in aged care, disability support, home care, community care and related support environments.
This course supports students to build practical skills in person-centred support, communication, safe work practices, personal care, ageing support and disability support.
This course is suitable for students who want to develop practical skills for care and support roles.
It may be suitable for people who are new to aged care, disability support, community care or home care and want to gain foundational skills for working with people who need support.
Yes. This course is delivered with the Ageing and Disability specialisation.
Students develop skills relevant to aged care and disability support, including supporting independence, wellbeing, personal care, communication, safe work practices and person-centred support.
Students develop practical skills in individual support, personal care, communication, infection prevention, workplace safety, working with diverse people, supporting older people, and supporting people with disability.
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 aged care, disability support, home care and community care 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 aged care, disability support, home care and community care 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 care or support environment and complete practical workplace-based activities.
It also supports students to build confidence, understand workplace expectations, and develop practical experience working with clients, residents, workplace supervisors and care teams.
Work placement may take place in an approved aged care, disability support, home care, community care, residential care, respite 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 may also need to meet additional work placement requirements before commencing placement, depending on the requirements of the approved host facility.
Prior experience in aged care, disability support, individual support or community services is not required unless specified in the course entry requirements.
INT College supports students with different levels of experience and learning needs throughout the course.
Graduates may seek entry-level employment opportunities in aged care, disability support, home care, community care and related support settings.
Possible job outcomes may include Individual Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Care Worker, Community Care Worker, Home Care Worker, Residential Support Worker or Disability Support Worker.
Employment outcomes depend on individual circumstances, employer requirements, workplace availability and any required checks or clearances.
No. Completion of CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) 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 CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), students may choose to continue studying a higher-level aged care, disability support, community services, 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
Assessment Methods
Work Placement
Recognition of Prior Learning
Student Support
Fees and Payment Information
Before You Enrol
Provider Details
FAQs


