Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Earn a Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online with Swinburne Open Education. Flexible study options available.
Course code: CHC33021
Delivery mode: Online, with face to face workshops
Course duration: 18 months
Qualification: Certificate III
Eligibility: This course is not available to international students
Nationally recognised: Yes
Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment: Yes
Awarded by: Swinburne University of Technology
Assessments
Short answer questions
Projects
Case study
Role play
Portfolio
Video and reporting
Direct observation (assessed in real time in the workplace or in a simulated situation that reflects the workplace).
This course is only offered in Victoria.
If you’re searching for a fulfilling career where each day can be different to the next, the Certificate III in Individual Support Disability will get you there.
Learn how to empower and support people with disabilities to become more independent and live rich and full lives. Study to gain a CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online with Swinburne Open Education.
This disability support course will give you the skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings.
Pursue meaningful work with huge growth potential. Start your career in disability support services and learn how to make a real difference in the lives of people living with disability.
Our flexible online study allows you to continue with your current role while you study. Enrol now to study Certificate III in disability online. Earn your Cert III with Swinburne Open Education.
This course is only available in Victoria, Australia. It is not available to International students or students based outside of Victoria.
You will learn:
Skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities
How to empower and support people in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings
Support and work alongside other health care professionals
Work with a diverse client group.
Career options include:
Disability support worker
Personal care assistant
Residential care officer
Accommodation support worker
NDIS support worker.
Start your career in the community services sector
Source: Career outcome information from Your Career (Jan 2025).
Why study Certificate III in Individual Support Disability online
This certificate in disability support is nationally recognised
Learn to help people with disabilities become more independent and live fulfilling lives
Gain skills to provide care to people with disabilities in residential, community, healthcare, and NDIS settings
Flexible online study allows you to balance learning with your current role
Study online with our world-class learning platform
Designed and delivered online so you can learn anywhere, anytime
Study on any device - desktop, tablet or mobile
Learn through regular trainer-lead online sessions and native content
Engage with your learning community through online forums and messages
Download your free online course guide
Enter your details and the Swinburne Open team will send you a free course guide with the info to get started. An Enrolment Consultant will be in touch to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.
All fields are required. By downloading the Course Guide, you agree to our Privacy Policy and receiving email and other forms of communication from us. You can opt-out at any time.
Online course modules
Once you have enrolled in this course, you can access our online platform and start with the first module. You will need to complete a module and then the next module becomes available to you.
This online course contains 16 online modules, which have been designed to cover the following units of competency, including 9 core units and 6 elective units. This disability support course contains an introductory module.
Expand units below, to get an understanding of topics and objectives.
CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to organise, provide and monitor support services within the limits established by an individualised plan. The individualised plan refers to the support or service provision plan developed for the individual accessing the service and may have many different names in different organisations.
CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support, and to deliver rights-based services using a person-centred approach.
CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide individualised services in ways that support independence, as well as, physical and emotional wellbeing.
CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with basic information about the human body and to recognise and promote ways to maintain healthy functioning of the body.
CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.
HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to the needs of people who are experiencing loss, grief and bereavement. This unit applies to workers in a range of community services and health contexts.
CHCCCS036 Support relationships with carer and family
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work positively with the carer and family of people using a service based on an understanding of their support needs.
CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with supporting the ongoing skill development of a person with disability. It involves following and contributing to an established individual plan and using a positive, strengths-based approach.
CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with supporting people with disability in community participation and social inclusion using a person-centred approach. This involves enabling people to make choices to maximise their participation in various community settings, functions and activities to enhance psychosocial well-being and lifestyle in accordance with the person’s needs and preferences.
CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work effectively in a disability support work context. The unit covers meeting job requirements, complying with organisational requirements and working in a disability sector context. This unit applies to individuals who work with people with disability in a range of community services and health contexts.
CHCDIV002 - Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety.
Course requirements
The Certificate III individual support requires skills to be demonstrated within the workplace during 120 hours of Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment (SWLA). SWLA is conducted in an approved venue under a formal agreement between the host organisation, the student and Swinburne Open Education.
Swinburne Open Education partners with Aeralife and Calvary Care to place students in SWLA.
Please download the course guide (above) or get in touch for more information on SWLA.
Online study FAQs
We understand you need to fit study around your busy life. Our online learning platform is designed with this in mind, so you can study on any device, anywhere, anytime. Here are answers to some disability support frequently asked questions.
Read more FAQs
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