CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability)

Call Email Apply

Next intake

January 2027

Location

Workplace
Geelong City Campus
Werribee Princes Campus

Duration

Full-time: 8 Months
Part-time: 12 Months

Traineeship

Part-time: 12 Months

Print Page
Share Page

Course description

Do you have an empathetic nature, strong people skills and a passion for supporting others? A career in healthcare could be for you.

The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) prepares you to work with older people and people living with disability in community, home and residential care settings. You will develop the skills and knowledge to communicate effectively in health and community services, provide individualised support, promote independence and wellbeing, recognise healthy body systems, work with diverse people, and apply safe, ethical and person-centred care practices.

This dual-specialisation qualification combines both Ageing and Disability streams, providing graduates with a broader range of skills and employment opportunities across the care and support sector.

If you have an employer and are interested in a traineeship, contact us.

Possible career outcomes

Personal care worker/assistant
Direct care worker
Disability support worker
Home care worker

Applications and attendance

How to apply

Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or email COURINFO@gordontafe.edu.au.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

Apprenticeship and traineeship applicants

To become an apprentice or trainee, you will first need to find an employer willing to employ you. An Apprentice Connect Australia Provider can assist you with this.
If you would like more information about hiring an apprentice or trainee, you can find all the information here.

Intake	Applications	Attendance	Classes
2026 Full Year Workplace	Open: 1 Aug 2025 Close: 15 Dec 2026	Workplace	Part Time \| Start: 27 Jan 2026 \| Trainee I Flexible
2027 January Geelong City Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 15 Jan 2027	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 28 Jan 2027 \| Mon,Tue & Thur 9am - 4pm - 3 days/week	Apply
2027 January Geelong City Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 15 Jan 2027	Blended	Part Time \| Start: 27 Jan 2027 \| Tue Online, Wed On Campus \| 5:30-8:30pm	Apply
2027 January Werribee Princes Campus	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 15 Jan 2027	Class Day	Full Time \| Start: 27 Jan 2027 \| Mon, Tue & Wed 9am - 4pm	Apply
2027 Full Year Workplace	Open: 1 Aug 2026 Close: 15 Dec 2027	Workplace	Part Time \| Trainee I Flexible

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course. Spaces are limited and only completed applications will be considered for an offer. Intakes can be cancelled at any time.

Additional attendance information

To participate successfully in this course, students will need:

A computer and reliable internet connection for streaming online classes
Participation in webinars and online collaboration 
Basic digital literacy skills, including the ability to:
- Communicate via email/forums
- Use the online learning management system LMS navigation (Gordon Online/Moodle) 
- Document creation and submission
- Online research

This qualification is available in both full-time and part-time delivery modes and combines both the Ageing and Disability specialisations, providing graduates with a broader range of skills and employment opportunities across the care and support sector.

Full-time delivery

Delivered at the Geelong City and Werribee Princes Highway campuses
Students attend on-campus classes three days per week
Supported by a compulsory online tutorial each week
Students are expected to complete self-directed learning outside scheduled class times

Part-time delivery

Already working in the care industry and looking to gain your formal qualifications? This part-time course is designed to support those currently employed or seeking flexible study options while entering the care sector.

Duration: 12 months
Work placement: Includes 120 hours of practical experience in a registered care facility
Delivery mode: Blended learning, combining online study and face-to-face classes
Location: Geelong City Campus

Students are required to attend:

One online class each week
One face-to-face class each week

Class options

When enrolling, you'll be asked to select your preferred class times. While we do our best to accommodate your preferences, allocations may vary depending on availability. Students are also expected to complete 15-20 hours of self-directed learning per week.

Online classes

Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Face-to-face classes

Wednesday, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Mid-year intake (face-to-face only)

Monday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Work placement/industry experience

Duration & Structure	120 hours of placements is to be completed 5 days per week over 4 weeks. • 2 weeks Aged Care, shifts run 7:00 am–3:00 pm • 2 weeks Disability, shifts may vary Note: Students can complete the full 120 hours in Aged Care,
Location	Students are placed in facilities within the residential aged care sector for a minimum of 80 hours. Some students can also do the remaining 40 hours in disability support if they meet requirements to make the total of 120 hours.
Organised by	The Gordon negotiates the practical/industry placements.
Additional requirements	Students MUST; Police Check at students' own cost (Note: if there are any disclosures, the Facility must approve it)  To ensure students are eligible to attend placements and avoid disruption to their placement allocation, all students are required to maintain up-to-date Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of enrolment and placement, in line with placement provider requirements and at the student's own cost Working with Children Check (volunteer – free) NDIS Worker Screening Check at the student's own cost (All disability placement and some aged care facilities) Students are required to be physically able to remain standing and work on their feet for 8 hours a day during placement. They are required to be able to get down on one knee and get up unsupported and safely to complete personal care tasks on clients. They will also be sitting for several hours a day during study. This may require a medical clearance certificate from a doctor or specialist if required to ensure placement readiness.
Additional Information	*Placement is not paid work, and student will not receive payment for undertaking practical placement.

Entrance requirements

Applicants must be 17 years and over at the time of course commencement.
Applicants are expected to have literacy skills at Year 11 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3 and numeracy skills at Year 10 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 2.
All students must attend The Gordon - City campus to attend a Student Success discussion prior to enrolment. This includes detailed information on the course, placement requirements, and opens communication with students and a chance to meet their trainer prior to the first day of class. Additional services offered, including disability and study skills, are discussed including assessment requirements for successful completion of the qualification.

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.

Units and assessments

Core Units	Code	Hours
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control	HLTINF006	35
Communicate and work in health or community services	CHCCOM005	30
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support	CHCCCS038	120
Follow safe work practices for direct client care	HLTWHS002	25
Provide individualised support	CHCCCS031	100
Recognise healthy body systems	CHCCCS041	80
Support independence and wellbeing	CHCCCS040	80
Work legally and ethically	CHCLEG001	55
Work with diverse people	CHCDIV001	40
Elective Units	Code	Hours
Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach	CHCDIS011	40
Deliver care services using a palliative approach	CHCPAL003	70
Provide support to people living with dementia	CHCAGE011	80
Support community participation and social inclusion	CHCDIS012	60
Work effectively in aged care	CHCAGE013	65
Work effectively in disability support	CHCDIS020	65

Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

Questioning
Observations and practical demonstrations
Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Workplace evidence

Fees

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

Fees	Rate	Unit	Indicative Course Hours	Indicative Tuition	Indicative Gov Total
Concession Tuition	AUD $0.90	per hour	945	AUD $850.00	AUD $8,550.00
Standard Tuition	AUD $4.50	per hour	945	AUD $4,252.00	AUD $8,550.00
Full Fee Tuition	AUD $11.13	per hour	945	AUD $10,518.00

Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee
Resources	AUD $300.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Education Levy	AUD $141.75		Charged at enrolment
Administrative Fee	AUD $250.00	Once	Charged at enrolment
Materials	AUD $110.00	Once	Charged at enrolment

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees and payments pages.

Fee help

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

Further study options

HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.