CHC33021

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)

Core unit

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

Elective units

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

Course Overview

If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference in a person’s life, have great personal satisfaction as well as flexible hours, then a career in providing individual support services to the elderly or people with a disability, could be for you.

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) is your first step in opening the door to a challenging and rewarding career in a growing industry. Providing services to elderly people or people with a disability in their own home, residential care facilities, aged care facilities or day care/respite settings, you could find work as a care support worker, personal carer, residential care worker or day care support carer.

To be successful in this course, you will need to be a compassionate and caring person who communicates well. You will have a real desire to work with the elderly or people with a disability in all aspects of their daily living requirements, as well to empower a person to achieve their desired levels of independence, self-confidence and community involvement.

This course is also a great introduction to CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support or CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support that will help you further progress your career as a care team leader, care supervisor or care co-ordinator.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt Richmond and Ryde. Enrol today or enquire now!

Learn more about this course

What you will learn

Course outline

In this course, you will learn:

  • How to use different communication styles for the elderly
  • ​How to use various mobility and transfer equipment
  • Infection control procedures
  • How to empower the elderly or people with a disability and support them to maintain their independence to ensure they have a quality life
  • How to work legally and ethically
  • How to assist with the organising, delivery and monitoring of different support services required by the elderly
  • The key principles of person centred support and promoting independence
  • The use of alternative strategies and techniques to communicate with people who have a disability
  • Safe manual handling techniques when providing support to people with a disability
  • How to facilitate the empowerment of people with a disability
  • How to contribute to the ongoing skills development of the person with a disability using a strengths based approach
  • How to encourage community participation and social inclusion

Course outcome

By the end of the course you will be able to confidently utilise the technical skills and knowledge gained to provide individualised support to the elderly, who require a variety of support needs, while applying:

  • Knowledge of procedural practices setting
  • Strategies to manage legal and ethical compliance in an organisational context
  • A person centred approach
  • Strategies that will maximise independence
  • Active support that facilitates the empowerment of service users
  • Knowledge of procedural practices within a residential aged care facility or home and community as well within a disability support organisational context
  • Practices to work within legal and ethical guidelines of direct care

Upon successful completion of this course you will be issued a certificate in CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) where competency has been achieved, giving you the skills to participate in further study and/or employment.
Please Note: Specialisation options can be discussed with your trainer once classes have started.

What is involved

Time commitment

All students will undertake face-to-face or livestream video training, home study and 120 hours work placement. The amount of home study required is dependent on the experience of the student and is in addition to face-to-face or livestream video training hours.

Assessment

Assessment (including recognition of prior learning) must:
  • Meet the requirements of the relevant training package or accredited course, and
  • Be conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence, and
  • Meet workplace and, where relevant, regulatory requirements.
For this course assessment will entail the following:
  • Assessment methods include written and oral tasks, practical tasks and observation by the assessor. You will be informed when assessments are to take place.

Work placement

Students are required to complete 120 hours of work placement.
Please note: The practical workplace component is scheduled at various stages through the course.
Completion of 120 hours in an aged care and/or disability service facility is required where you will work as a volunteer student during work-placement.
Work placement will be divided between an Aged Care facility and a Disability service to ensure all requirements of the training package are met.

  • Work placement start times are dependant on the Aged Care facility and Disability centre
    • Aged care facilities will have a start time between 6:30am and 7:00am
    • Disability centres will have a start time between 6:30am and 9:00am


Before commencing work placement, you will be required to obtain one or all of the following which will be confirmed during the enrolment process and at your course induction. If required Macquarie Community College will assist you with this application process.

  • A current NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC) – (free of charge for volunteers)
  • A current National Police Check (between $30-$60)
  • An up-to-date NSW vaccination record, showing proof of double COVID vaccination, COVID booster and yearly flu vaccination as required by most Aged Care and Disability centres.
  • Suitable work placement clothing is required. i.e., black pants, white polo shirt and leather (or leather like) fully enclosed shoes with non-slip soles.

What you need to know

Entry requirements

An appropriate level of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills is required to enrol in this course. Macquarie Community College may conduct an LLN assessment as part of the pre-enrolment process.

  • A current NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC) – (free of charge for volunteers)
  • A current National Police Check (between $30-$60)
  • An up-to-date NSW vaccination record, showing proof of double COVID vaccination, COVID booster and yearly flu vaccination as required by all Aged Care and Disability centres.

What you need to provide

All course material will be provided and is included in course fees.

  • You will need a pen and paper for taking notes.

Fees and government subsidies

Smart and Skilled provides government-subsidised training and higher-level courses to help you get skills to find a job and advance your career.
If you're a prospective student, please visit: https://www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au/smart-and-skilled/ where you will find everything you need to know about the Smart and Skilled program before you enrol.
*Eligibility criteria apply. This training is subsidised by the NSW Government, and as a result your fee is determined through Training Services NSW formal eligibility criteria.
Students will need to supply the required evidence in accord with the requirements of Smart and Skilled eligibility.
Not eligible for Subsidised Training: $8,490

Contact us today or call on 1300 845 888 to check your eligibility.

What you can do next

Career pathway

Upon completion of the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) you may be able to undertake roles such as:

  • Care Worker
  • Residential Aged Care Worker
  • Group Home Disability Support Worker
  • Day Care Centre Disability Support Worker
  • Home Care Support Worker
  • Assistant in Nursing

Study pathway

Upon completion of the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), you may go on to study Certificate IV, Diploma or Bachelor courses in Allied Health areas such as CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support or CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support.

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date29 October 2024
End Date01 July 2025
DaysTue, Wed
Time9.30am - 2.30pm
TutorSana Moledina
Location Epping Campus

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date12 November 2024
End Date22 July 2025
DaysTue, Wed
Time9.30am - 2.30pm
TutorJodi Crozier
Location Blacktown Campus

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date18 November 2024
End Date21 July 2025
DaysMon, Tue
Time9.30am - 2.30pm
TutorJasmeet Khanooja
Location Online Zoom Class

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date04 February 2025
End Date
DaysTue, Wed
Time9.30am -2.30pm
TutorKaren Hogan
Location Blacktown Campus

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date20 February 2025
End Date
DaysThu, Fri
Time9.30am -2.30pm
TutorVanessa Sharkey
Location Online Zoom Class

Class details

RTO 90033
Start Date27 February 2025
End Date
DaysMon, Tue, Wed
Time9.30am -2.30pm
TutorSana Moledina
Location Epping Campus

Fees & Government Subsidies

At Macquarie Community College, we create and provide affordable and inclusive learning opportunities that meet the needs of individuals, organisations and communities.

Given the broad range of accredited and non-accredited programs offered by the College the fees and subsidies will vary depending on the course.

Fee for Service Courses 

Courses available on a fee-for-service basis will have the price clearly indicated within the class details. Additional fee information may also be found in the ‘’what you need to provide’’ section of the course details.

Funded Courses

Macquarie Community College delivers NSW government subsidised training, including training under the Smart and Skilled and Adult and Community Education (ACE) programs.

To access government subsidised training, including fee exemptions or concessions, you must meet the following criteria:

  • aged 15 years or older
  • no longer be at school
  • living or working in NSW
  • Australian OR New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident OR a Humanitarian Visa Holder, OR a Partner Visa Holder whose sponsor is a current or past Humanitarian Visa Holder

When you enrol in a NSW government subsidised course you will be required to pay the Smart and Skilled student fee unless you qualify for a fee exemption.

For further information on NSW government subsidies visit the below funding pages.

Adult and Community Education 

Smart and Skilled 

Traineeships

NSW Fee Free Training 

Credit Transfer

Am I Eligible for Credit Transfers?

Credit Transfer (CT) is granted as a result of identifying learning outcomes already achieved through formal training. Credit outcomes may allow for entry into a qualification and/or provide credit towards the qualification. Credit Transfer given may reduce the time required for you to achieve the qualification.

To apply for Credit Transfer you will need to provide original or certified copies of certificates previously attained through formal training prior to completing the enrolment process.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is granted as a result of identifying and assessing previous and current informal education and training, work experience and/or life experience and knowledge. Previous learning and the evidence supplied is measured against pre-determined performance standards contained within the Units of Competency.

To apply for recognition of prior learning you should indicate your decision to apply for recognition as soon as possible after enrolment and the induction program.

We will be happy to provide you with an RPL kit after speaking directly with you to ensure you understand the requirements of this process.

Delivery Mode

To meet the needs of our students Macquarie Community College balances delivery and engagement across permanent, regular and temporary delivery sites and offer face-to-face, remote zoom classes and self-paced learning options.

Ways to Study

  • On campus

Our college campus locations are:

    • Blacktown
    • Chatswood
    • Carlingford
    • Epping
    • Ryde
    • Mt Druitt
  • Virtual classroom
  • Complete workplace training
  • Combine ways to study

FAQ

How you got questions? Please see our comprehensive FAQ page for everything you need to know about Macquarie Community College, our policies, student support, application and enrolment procedures.

How to Apply

Step 1 - Apply

  • Select your preferred course and class
  • Review course and fee subsidy requirements to check your eligibility
  • If you need help contact us via livechat or via contact us form
  • Click Apply now

Step 2 - Assessment / Enrolment

  • We will assess your application and make contact within 2 business days
  • You will be asked to complete a language, literacy & numeracy assessment
  • Complete enrolment form
  • Provide all required evidence and/or documents

Step 3 - Start Learning

Following submitting your enrolment form and documents you will receive:

  • An enrolment confirmation
  • Tax invoice / payment plan details (if relevant)
  • A course reminder prior to your classes starting
  • A Zoom link (Online Zoom classes only)
  • A student login to your learning portal if relevant