Certificate III in Individual Support

Overview

Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.

Introduction

Pursue a career in healthcare, aged care and/or disability support, putting your empathy and people skills to work with the Certificate III in Individual Support. This prepares students to work with the elderly and/or people living with disabilities in a community or residential setting.

Students will gain the knowledge and skills to work under supervision as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, following an individualised plan to provide person-centred support to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason.

This course is currently available as part of the Free TAFE scheme but is subject to eligibility requirements and may change in the future.

Careers & study pathways

Where can this course take me?

Employment outcomes after completing this course include:

• Aged and Disability Residential Support Worker
• Aged Support Worker
• Disability Support Worker
• In-Home Respite Worker
• Accommodation Support Worker
• Community care Worker
• Care/Client Assistant
• Care Worker
• Coordinator
• Family Support Worker
• Food Services Deliverer
• Nurse’s Aide
• Planned activity assistant
• Residential aide
• School Support Officer (Disability)
• Senior Personal Care Assistant
• Transport Support Worker

Working on the job individuals will be equipped to provide person-centered support, guided by the client's behavioural support plan, individual support plan, and personal goals and aspirations.

Further study

Students wishing to continue with their studies may wish to undertake the:

• CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

Course details

Upcoming dates and times

Attendance & commitment

General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Ageing and Disability specialisation

Students are expected to:

• Attend weekly classes one day virtually and one day on campus (6 hours per day).
• Spend approximately 18 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
• Complete 135 hours of placement as outlined in the placement details below.

School-based apprenticeship traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Ageing single specialisation

Students are expected to:

• Attend weekly (2 hour) webinar classes
• Spend approximately 12 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
• Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
• Work within Industry for a min. of 7 hours per week, to consolidate learning in the workplace.
• Complete 120 hours of placement in their workplace during normal employment hours, as outlined in the placement details below.

Workplace blended delivery | 1.5 year course length | Part-time study load
Disability specialisation

Students are expected to:

• Attend weekly (3 hour) webinar classes.
• Attend one day workshops on campus (approximately 5 in total over 18 months).
• Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
• Work within Industry for a minimum of 12 hours per week, to consolidate learning in the workplace.
• Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
• Complete 120 hours of placement in their workplace during normal employment hours, as outlined in the placement details below.

Traineeship blended delivery | 1.5 years course length | Part-time study load
Disability specialisation 

Students are expected to:

• Attend weekly (3 hour) webinar classes.
• Attend one day workshops on campus (approximately 5 in total over 18 months).
• Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
• Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
• Complete 120 hours of placement in their workplace during normal employment hours, as outlined in the placement details below.

Traineeship blended delivery | 1.5 years course length | Part-time study load
Ageing specialisation

Students are expected to:

• Attend weekly (3 hour) webinar classes.
• Attend one day workshops on campus (approximately 5 in total over 18 months).
• Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
• Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
• Complete 120 mandated hours of placement requirements in their workplace (during normal hours of employment).

Placement

• General public:
  • Placement is organised by GOTAFE.
  • A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student and the host provider and signed prior to the commencement of placement.
  • Complete 135  hours of work placements in two blocks consisting of 2 weeks totalling 60 hrs (Disability) and 2 weeks totalling 75 hrs  (Aged Care).
  • Each placement may involve shift work and hours will vary,  depending on the placement host requirements.
  • Students may need to travel throughout Regional Victoria.
  • GOTAFE polo shirt and badge is required to be worn during placement.
  • 100% attendance is required for placement.
  • Trainers will visit students during each placement (2 in total).
• Workplace-based students, school-based apprentices/trainees, and trainees:
  • Placement is organised by the student.
  • Placement may be undertaken at your place of employment working in a support worker role within a disability service . In situations where all placement tasks are unable to be completed in the workplace, students have the option to gain their practical experience in another workplace, which has the necessary resources and placement opportunities.
  • A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student and the host provider and signed prior to the commencement of placement.
  • Complete 120 hours of placement in their workplace (during normal hours of employment).
  • Students complete a placement workbook.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods may include:

• Written questions
• Case studies
• Observations & demonstrations
• Projects
• Roleplays
• Simulations

Study units

Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.

This course requires a total of 15 units: 9 core and 6 elective.

Before you begin

Entry requirements

GOTAFE entry requirements

Before being accepted into this course applicants must:

• Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
• Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.

General public students must be at least 18 years old prior to the commencement of placement.

Workplace students must be 18 years of age and have a minimum of 6 months experience in the disability sector.

Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.

Placement requirements

Before commencing placement, applicants will need:

• A current National Police Check with no disclosable outcomes within the past 5 years.  If disclosable outcomes are present, a referral to the Department Lead is required.
• A current Working With Childrens Check.
• A current First Aid certificate.
• Immunisation evidence, if requested by the organisation, including COVID-19 and Influenza.
• NDIS Worker Screening Check if completing a placement in a disability service.
• Evidence that they are physically capable of undertaking a range of manual handling tasks and are psychologically well, due to the demands of the role.

Inherent requirements

The role of a support worker/personal care assistant requires the ability to communicate effectively in English with vulnerable adults, including older people and individuals experiencing ageing-related or disability-related challenges.

This includes the capacity to:

• Speak clearly and respectfully, using language appropriate to the individual’s cognitive, sensory and communication needs.
• Actively listen, interpret verbal and non-verbal cues, and respond with empathy, patience and understanding.
• Adapt communication methods, such as simplified language, repetition, visual supports or assistive technologies, to support comprehension and inclusion.
• Provide and receive accurate information to support informed decision-making, safety, wellbeing and service delivery.

Students will require psychological stamina and skills to work with adults, including:

• Empathy, resilience, patience and accountability when dealing with vulnerable people.
• Ability to problem-solve in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate & engage with adults.
• Working night shifts.
• Maintaining adult hygiene.

Physical attributes include:

• Ability to bend down to provide personal care support, often in a repetitieve nature.
• Ability to lift and move a variety of equipment eg, hoists, wheelchairs, walkers.
• Role model and engage with vulnerable people in physical activities to promote healthy lifestyle choices.

Student resources

Students must have:

• A laptop/computer with internet access.
• Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
• General stationery (Pens, pencils, rulers).

Enrolment

How to Apply

1. Explore – Review the course details to check the fit for your goals. Our team is here from 8:30 – 5pm Monday to Friday on 1300 468 233 if you’d like to talk it through.
2. Prepare – Gather any documents you may need, like photo ID, concession or eligibility evidence, residency or visa details, prior study or credit evidence, or your USI (we can help you find or create this).
3. Apply – Click Apply Now and complete your application – its quick and easy.
4. Skills Check – Some courses include a language and numeracy evaluation so we can tailor the right support before you start.
5. Offer – We’ll review your application, contact you if we require anything else, and send you an offer. To secure your place, accept your offer and make any required pre-commencement payment.
6. Welcome to GOTAFE – We’ll finalise your enrolment and share everything you need to feel ready. You may be asked to attend an online or in person induction session where we’ll outline the support available to you from day one.
   

Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification through one or both of the following processes:

• Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.

Fees and payments

Fees and costs

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Student support

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

Learning support

A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your English language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.

Learn more about our learning support services

Library

Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.

Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton

Jobs and study options

Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.

Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres

Contingent Study Arrangements

Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.

Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.

Support for personal issues

We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.

Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you

Disability support

Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.

Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors

Counselling services

We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.

Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors

Koorie Unit

The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.

Learn how the Koorie Unit can support your studies

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.