COURSE GUIDE

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) CHC33021

Introduction

Our nationally accredited CHC33021 Certificate III Individual Support (Disability) is designed to equip you with the practical recovery-centred skills to enable you to have a long and thriving career as a Support Worker. You’ll unlock a variety of job opportunities and step into an in-demand industry.

Course Breakdown

E1422

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Course duration: Self-paced - maximum of 18 months

Recommended hours per week: 17h

Delivery method: Online with Work Placement

Qualification level: Certificate III

Awarded by: Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90197)

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Industry Overview

According to Job Outlook, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, the demand for other Aged and Disabled Support workers is expected to grow strongly (28%) over the next 5 years (2021-2026)

Source: Australian Government Job Outlook [Accessed 2/11/23]

Is this course for you?

Learners may choose to enrol in the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) as an entry point to working in the disability support sector. Alternatively, they may undertake the qualification as a pathway to further education in:

  • CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability
  • CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

What you will learn

During this course, you'll learn how to:

  • Communicate and work in health or community services
  • Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  • Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
  • Provide individualised support
  • Work with diverse people
  • Work legally and ethically
  • Support independence and wellbeing
  • Recognise healthy body systems
  • Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  • Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
  • Support community participation and social inclusion
  • Work effectively in disability support
  • Follow established person-centred behaviour supports
  • Support relationships with carer and family
  • Provide First Aid

Learning Material

Your learning materials are accessed through OpenSpace. These  learning materials include:

  • Learning content
  • Practice activities
  • Media
  • Additional resources
  • Self-checks

Your trainer

Jacqualyn Lawrence
Jac is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience working in both aged care facilities and the disability industry. With a diverse skill set, Jac has held many positions in nursing, ranging from general nursing roles to coordinator and management positions.
Melissa Cockburn
Melissa has 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an Enrolled Nurse and a Personal Care Worker, working in both aged care facilities and a regional hospital. At the hospital, she worked across all areas, including acute care, the emergency department, and the theatre.
Jana Nettleship
Jana’s extensive and diverse background includes 7 years as a Trainer and Assessor, where she delivered Certificate III and IV in Ageing and Disability. Currently, she works as a Home Support Worker with Regis Aged Care and is furthering her education by studying for a Bachelor of Social Work.
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Academic Information

Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

CHCCOM005
Communicate and work in health or community services
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  • Communicate effectively with people
  • Collaborate with colleagues
  • Address constraints to communication
  • Report problems to supervisor
  • Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
  • Contribute to continuous improvement
HLTWHS002
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
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  • Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  • Follow safe work practices for manual handling
  • Follow safe work practices for infection control
  • Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
  • Reflect on own safe work practices
CHCCCS038
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
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  • Demonstrate commitment to empowerment for people receiving support
  • Foster human rights
  • Facilitate choice and self-determination
CHCCCS031
Provide individualised support
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  • Determine personal support requirements
  • Provide support services
  • Monitor support activities
CHCDIV001
Work with diverse people
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  • Reflect on own perspectives
  • Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
  • Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
  • Promote understanding across diverse groups
5/ modules
View All

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.

Course Duration

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

Mandatory Local Entry Requirements: There are no mandatory local entry requirements. Recommended Local Entry Requirements

  • Are 18 years old at the time of placement.
  • Have language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to work independently and initiate and use support from a range of established resources,
  1. Matches and cross-references words, symbols, codes and signs contained in instructions or labels.
  2. Completes a range of forms requiring routine, factual data, e.g. WHS records
  3. Reads and discusses data from simple charts or tables provided
  4. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully achieve and ACSF Level 2 or have previously completed a Certificate II level qualification.
  • Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet.
  • Access to Microsoft office or equivalent
  • Basic computing skills including the ability to make a short video

Physical Requirements

Students need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as the role may involve a variety of physical tasks, such as providing personal care, assisting clients with mobility and transfers and considerable time standing and walking. Additionally, where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, students are required to have the requisite level of fitness that enables them to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult mannequin placed on the floor.

Tools and equipment required

To successfully complete their studies, learners will need access to the following resources and equipment.

  • computer with access to the internet
  • digital recording device to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
  • tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
  • up to 3 people to support you in the role-play. It is the responsibility of the learner to find suitable role-play participants

Additional Work Placement Requirements

Students who are not currently employed at an appropriate workplace are required to find a host organisation to undertake work placement. Depending on the nature of the individual workplace, the student may need to undertake this at more than one workplace. While undertaking their training and assessment in industry, the student must abide by the policies and procedures of the workplace. The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

  • Police Check
  • NDIS Worker Screening
  • Working with Children Check
  • Occupational Assessment
  • Screening and vaccination against infectious disease, including COVID-19
  • Signing of Codes of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreements
  • First Aid Certificate
  • Psychological testing
  • Manual Handling certification

Students are able to link their NDIS worker screening and blue card to Integrated Care and Management Training so that they can get student version. Students are provided a link on how to do this in OpenSpace in the FAQs.

The cost of obtaining any of above is at the cost of the student and will vary based on the student’s location and their personal circumstances. The costs will range between $50 - $250 per requirement.

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Work Placement

You are required to complete 160 hours of work placement.

What are the benefits?

  • By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
  • You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
  • Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

How do I find a work placement?

You’ll need to find a work placement yourself and ensure it’s approved by Open Colleges. When looking for a suitable work placement host organisation, have a think about the following:

  • Are you already working or volunteering in the industry your course is related to? You could potentially do your work placement at your current place of work or have contacts that could recommend a suitable work place. Ask around!
  • If you’re entering a new industry, do some research and start thinking about organisations you could approach. We have plenty of resources available to help with approaching and finding a suitable work placement organisation.

Cost of work placement

All costs of work placement, including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or Open Colleges), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. These fees will vary and are dependent on your location within Australia.

  • Costs for statutory checks will range between $50 - $250 dependent on the type of check you select and your state.
  • Costs for vaccinations will very between practitioners, please refer to your GP for approximate costs.
  • Placement fees will vary, please discuss this with your intended host organisation for approximate costs.

Host organisation

Workplaces suitable to undertaken SWL include: ·

  • Residential aged care facilities
  • Group homes
  • Respite care services
  • Home care services

In order for learners to be able to undertake the practical component of the course approved SWL work places must contain the following:

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

Students will be required to complete 160 hours of direct support work in at least one regulated aged care organisation. These hours will be split into 2 sections

  • 40 hours – Work placement (learning)
  • 120 hours – Work placement Work placement hours can be done part time or as a full-time block, depending on the host organisation’s requirements and availability

Immunisations

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Supervisor requirements

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent or higher plus at least 18 months experience in industry working with clients with disability. Other suitable qualifications are:

  • Certificate IV in Disability
  • Diploma of Community Services
  • Open Colleges may need to obtain further evidence to show confirm that the supervisor has the skills and experience to supervise the student in the required tasks
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Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Pay Upfront
Save 35%
$3,146.00 Save $1,694.00
was $4,840.00
Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 6%
Pay in 78 instalments over the length of your course.
$58.21 Weekly
Total course cost: $4,540.00
Save $300.00
was $4,840.00
Full course breakdown
TBD

Studying online with Open Colleges

Flexibility - study at your own pace

When you study online with Open Colleges you’re in control.

You can choose to complete your course quickly, or keep to a steady pace. Learning is fully flexible so you can fit your everyday commitments around your studies.

Everything you need to study is online so you can study wherever you like – but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.

OpenSpace is our online learning platform. It’s where you’ll go to access your learning materials, contact your expert trainers and assessors and upload your assessments.

What is OpenSpace?

It’s important to us that we deliver a superior, online learning platform that meets our students’ needs. That’s why we have upgraded to our brand new, custom-designed learning platform, OpenSpace.

OpenSpace provides you with a user-friendly interface, that is mobile responsive. This means that you can complete your coursework using your laptop, iPad, or mobile device. All coursework is automatically saved, providing you with the flexibility you need to complete your studies anywhere, anytime.

How to get support?

Learning Support

The learning support team will be with you every step of the way, from enrolment to graduation. They’re here to help you get the most out of your online course. They can assist by providing non-academic support - like helping you craft an achievable study plan so that you can graduate in a realistic timeframe. If you’re finding it tough to stay motivated throughout your course, they’ll be there to help keep you on track.

Student support

The Student Support team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues – including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification.

You can access the Student Support team by email or phone

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Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

How would you like to pay for your course?

With Open Colleges, you can start your course orientation today. Select your preferred payment option & we'll provide you with the next steps for enrolling with us.
  • Save 35%

    Total course cost: $3,146.00 was $4,840.00

    Get the best value when you pay upfront

  • Save 6%

    Total course cost: $4,540.00 was $4,840.00

    Paid weekly, over the length of your course.

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Jacqualyn Lawrence

Health & Community
Jac is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience working in both aged care facilities and the disability industry. With a diverse skill set, Jac has held many positions in nursing, ranging from general nursing roles to coordinator and management positions.
Jac is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years of experience working in both aged care facilities and the disability industry. With a diverse skill set, Jac has held many positions in nursing, ranging from general nursing roles to coordinator and management positions. Jac has a passion for client wellbeing, ensuring clients receive person-centred care, and has a special interest in wound care prevention, management, and palliative care.

Jac also has a keen interest in coaching and mentoring staff, which led to a move into the training field. In 2021, Jac successfully obtained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and began a career in training. Jac enjoys passing on knowledge to those just starting out in the industry or those looking to change careers
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Melissa Cockburn

Health & Community
Melissa has 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an Enrolled Nurse and a Personal Care Worker, working in both aged care facilities and a regional hospital. At the hospital, she worked across all areas, including acute care, the emergency department, and the theatre.
Melissa has 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry as an Enrolled Nurse and a Personal Care Worker, working in both aged care facilities and a regional hospital. At the hospital, she worked across all areas, including acute care, the emergency department, and the theatre.

Melissa has been a trainer and assessor for 15 months, delivering both online and face-to-face training.

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Jana Nettleship

Health & Community
Jana’s extensive and diverse background includes 7 years as a Trainer and Assessor, where she delivered Certificate III and IV in Ageing and Disability. Currently, she works as a Home Support Worker with Regis Aged Care and is furthering her education by studying for a Bachelor of Social Work.
Jana is deeply passionate about supporting and empowering individuals in healthcare and community services. While pursuing her Bachelor of Nursing, she gained valuable experience working as an Assistant in Nursing and Support Worker, amassing 10 years of experience across hospital, home care, residential care, and group home settings. Jana’s extensive and diverse background includes 7 years as a Trainer and Assessor, where she delivered Certificate III and IV in Ageing and Disability. Currently, she works as a Home Support Worker with Regis Aged Care and is furthering her education by studying for a Bachelor of Social Work.