Certificate III in Individual Support

This course provides you with foundational skills and knowledge to work in the aged, disability, home and community care industry. You'll learn to work with individuals to support their independence and wellbeing, in their homes or in community settings.

You can choose to specialise in the following areas:

• ageing
• home and community
• disability.

Through classroom learning, e-learning and a practical work placement, you'll learn to:

• provide individualised support, both physical and social
• maintain personal care and other activities
• recognise healthy body systems
• work with diverse people.

You will also learn valuable skills in following safe work practices and working legally and ethically.

Working in individual care and community services can be incredibly rewarding. Job opportunities are also high, and with this qualification from Victoria University Polytechnic, you will be sought after. Employment for aged and disability carers is expected to grow strongly over the next five years (Labour Market Insights).

You will have the skills to provide individualised care to those who require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason. Our graduates find employment working in a range of residential and community settings such as:

• aged care facilities
• residential group homes
• day respite centres
• clients' homes.

Example job titles include:

• care worker
• home care assistant
• care assistant
• disability support worker
• NDIS disability support worker
• residential care worker
• personal care assistant
• community care worker
• support worker.

Discover jobs and careers in the care sector.

To be awarded CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support, a student must successfully complete a total of thirteen (13) units of competency, consisting of:

• seven (7) core units, and;
• six (6) elective units, consisting of:

• at least four (4) units from the electives listed within the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support qualification, of which, at least two (2) units must be from those units listed under Groups A, B or C;
• up to two (2) units from the electives listed within the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Specialisations
The Polytechnic currently offer the following specialisation(s):

- Ageing;
- Ageing, Home and Community, and;

- Disability.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

• Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.