Overview
Discover a meaningful career working in aged care or disability support by studying the Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
With a focus on practical skills and essential knowledge, this course equips you to work as a support or care worker in a variety of settings.
You can choose to specialise in ageing and/or disability.
Through classroom-based learning, e-learning and a practical work placement with support from our experienced, qualified trainers, you'll learn to:
- provide individualised support, both physical and social
- maintain personal care
- recognise healthy body systems
- work with diverse people
- work safely, legally and ethically.
Whether you're starting out in the healthcare industry or looking to upskill, the Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021 will provide you with the tools and experience you need to thrive in this fulfilling and in-demand profession. This course is also offered through Traineeship.
Get the support you need to succeed
Victoria University Polytechnic has academic support programs and tailored resources designed to help you succeed in your studies.
Through workshops, mentoring, and study groups, we can help you with:
- assignments and assessment tasks
- maths skills
- writing skills
- English language
- time management
- study strategies.
We also have disability support services and counselling services available to all students.
Be part of an inclusive community
Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity.
We have a strong history of community engagement, working with organisations in the region to develop programs that meet local needs. These partnerships benefit the communities around each of our campuses, and our students too.
By contributing to local projects, we can ensure your skills are well matched to opportunities in the region, and create networks for our students’ future employment.
COVID-19 vaccine requirement
All students must have any COVID-19 vaccine before beginning placement.
You must:
- provide evidence of having had the COVID-19 vaccine to undertake a placement and progress within the course
- be willing to undergo any additional checks and immunisations as directed by the University.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
-
Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, care and support workers follow individualised plans to provide support to people who require assistance due to age, disability or other reasons.
Following the Certificate III in Individual Support, you could look apply for a role as:
- care assistant
- care worker
- personal care assistant
- residential care worker
- support worker
- disability support worker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
Victoria University currently offers the following specialisation(s):
-
Ageing;
-
Disability; and
-
Ageing and Disability.
Specialisation - Ageing
To be awarded the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), a student must successfully complete fifteen (15) units, comprising of:
-
nine (9) core units, and;
-
six (6) elective units, of which:
- all Group A electives must be selected; and
- remaining electives can be selected from Groups A, B or C.
Specialisation - Disability
To be awarded the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), a student must successfully complete fifteen (15) units, comprising of:
-
nine (9) core units, and;
-
six (6) elective units, of which:
- all Group B electives must be selected; and
- remaining electives can be selected from Groups A, B or C.
Specialisation - Ageing and Disability
To be awarded the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), a student must successfully complete fifteen (15) units, comprising of:
-
nine (9) core units, and;
-
six (6) elective units, of which:
- all Group A and Group B electives must be selected.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Standard student delivery
Core units
- all students
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS031
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS038
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS040
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS041
-
- Unit code
- CHCCOM005
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIV001
-
- Unit code
- CHCLEG001
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
-
- Unit code
- HLTWHS002
Elective units
- students select preferred specialisation
Specialisation: Ageing
Group A - Ageing Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE011
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE013
-
- Unit code
- CHCPAL003
Group C - Other Electives
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS033
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS037
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS044
Specialisation: Disability
Group B - Disability Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS011
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS012
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS020
Group C - Other Electives
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS033
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS036
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS037
Specialisation: Ageing and Disability Support
Group A - Ageing Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE011
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE013
-
- Unit code
- CHCPAL003
Group B - Disability Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS011
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS012
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIS020
TRAINEESHIP DELIVERY - Specialisation: Ageing
Core units
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS031
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS038
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS040
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS041
-
- Unit code
- CHCCOM005
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIV001
-
- Unit code
- CHCLEG001
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
-
- Unit code
- HLTWHS002
Elective units
Group A - Ageing Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE011
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE013
-
- Unit code
- CHCPAL003
Group C - Other Electives
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS033
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS044
-
- Unit code
- HLTAID011
INDUSTRY DELIVERY - Specialisation: Ageing
Core units
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS031
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS038
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS040
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS041
-
- Unit code
- CHCCOM005
-
- Unit code
- CHCDIV001
-
- Unit code
- CHCLEG001
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
-
- Unit code
- HLTWHS002
Elective units
Group A - Ageing Specialisation
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE011
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE013
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS044
Group C - Other Electives
-
- Unit code
- CHCAGE007
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS001
-
- Unit code
- CHCCCS044
Learning outcomes
This qualification reflects the role of workers in the community and/or residential setting who follow an individualised plan to provide person-centred support to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason. Work involves using discretion and judgement in relation to individual support as well as taking responsibility for individuals' outputs. Workers have a range of factual, technical and procedural knowledge and theoretical knowledge of the concepts and practices required to provide person-centred support.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
* Pre-training Review (PTR)
* Literacy and numeracy assessment
Traineeship applicants must complete to determine suitability:
* Pre-training Review (PTR)
* Literacy and numeracy assessment
* must be employed as an apprentice
* must have an active Epsilon number prior to commencing the course.
Practical Placement:
For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires:
* a current and satisfactory Police Record Check
* a current and valid NDIS Worker Screening Check
* evidence of influenza vaccination
* evidence of COVID-19 vaccination (unless an exception applies):
- fully vaccinated if under 18 years old
- fully vaccinated (booster) if 18 years and over.
see here for further information: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/vaccination-for-healthcare-workers
The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:
* Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
* NDIS Worker Screening Check - https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/national-disability-insurance-scheme
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 17 February 2025
- 28 April 2025
- 21 July 2025
- 6 October 2025
Before you apply
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.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 14 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 17 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
