This is a brand new qualification which replaces the following courses in aged care:

• Certificate III in Aged Care
• Certificate III in Disability
• Certificate III in Home and Community Care.

The new Certificate III in Individual Support has a core set of competencies and offers specialisations in Ageing Support, Home and Community Support as well as Disability. The qualification offers flexibility for a learner to choose a range of electives to meet their job role, however also maintains the integrity of the current qualifications in that a learner can undertake either one or two specialisations, which would be identified on their transcript.

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 own outputs. Workers have a range of factual, technical and procedural knowledge, as well as some theoretical knowledge of the concepts and practices required to provide person-centred support.

As an individual support worker you are employed in a job where you can empower groups in your community. This role is a rewarding job and a great way to give back to your community by making a difference in people’s everyday lives.

Potential Career Outcomes

• Accommodation Support Worker
• Care assistant
• Care Service Employee
• Care Worker
• Client Assistant
• Community Access Coordinator
• Community care worker
• Community House Worker
• Disability Service Officer
• Family Support Worker
• Field Officer (Community Services)
• Food Services Deliverer
• Home care assistant
• In Home Respite Worker
• Nurse’s Aide
• Planned activity assistant
• Residential aide
• Residential Care Worker
• Residential Support Worker
• School Support Officer (Disability)
• Senior Personal Care Assistant
• Transport Support Worker

How will I Learn?

Competency based assessment will be conducted through theory tasks, projects and practical demonstration. The training will be delivered in the College’s fully equipped health care training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.

Prerequisite

Prospective students must have a competent level of language and literacy to enrol in this course.

Are there Assessments?

You will be required to complete self study and assessment work in your own time. There is usually a short answer question and small project associated with each unit of competency. Some units of competency require training and assessment of practical skills and will be assessed during work placement.

Further Information

Contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbcc.nsw.edu.au to:nadia@nbcc.nsw.edu.au to enrol or for further information.

Pathway to Further Training

There are many pathways you can follow into more specified fields of nursing once you gain this entry level aged care course qualification. The Certificate III in Individual Support leads a pathway to the Diploma of Nursing or Diploma of Disability.

Work Placement

Work placement is a requirement of the course and can be arranged by the College. Work placement hours will differ from the class hours and will take place on nominated days within the timetable.

Compulsory Checks

Students will need to obtain the following prior to commencement of work placement:

• NSW Police Check

National Recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a means of measuring skills acquired through work or life experiences or through qualifications obtained from formal studies or training. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL must apply for this at least two weeks prior to the course commencing.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

From 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Federal Government that all students undertaking nationally recognised training will need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This involves an easy online application. See USI Fact Sheet for information on how to apply for a USI go to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Website for additional information.

Please ensure when completing your enrolment information, that the details relating to your name are identical to those on the identification evidence used (eg passport or driver’s licence) when creating your USI eg no abbreviations or nicknames should be used.

Once created, it is important that you keep a record of your USI and access to your accredited training records in a safe place. You will need this information for any future enrolments into accredited training in Australia.

Please contact the College on 9970 1000 if you require assistance.

Traineeships

This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Fran Butterworth at fran@nbcc.nsw.edu.au or call 9970 1007 for further information.

Eligibility

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government under the Smart & Skilled Program. To be eligible you must be

• an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder
• aged 15 years or older, and
• live or work in New South Wales, and
• no longer be at school or equivalent

See Smart & Skilled Funding page for details of the range of eligible benefits.

Limited fee free scholarships are available for eligible students who are 15-30 years of age and either a Commonwealth Welfare recipient or the dependant of a Commonwealth Welfare recipient. Students with a disability or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are also eligible for a fee exemption. Evidence of eligibility for a fee exemption will be required.

Course cost

If you meet the above eligibility criteria for the Smart & Skilled Program, the course cost is as follows:

Exempt: Fee-Free
Concession: $240
No prior qualification: $1450
Prior qualification: $1750

Course cost includes course resources but students are responsible for the cost of obtaining a police check.

Payment options: Pay by two instalments (half on enrolment and half midway through the course) or $240 on enrolment followed by fortnightly direct debit payments. By Cash, Cheque, Visa or MasterCard

Not Eligible for Subsidised Training: $4900 – contact the College for payment options

For further information please contact Nadia Louw on 9970 1008 or email nadia@nbcc.nsw.edu.au.