Kick start your career in the community services industry with this entry-level qualification. Gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to provide individual support in disability care. The Certificate III in Individual Support has a core set of competencies and offers specialisations in Disability or Ageing Support.

The Certificate issued to successful graduates will be CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability). If you wish to study the Aged Care specialisation, you can join the same course but you will study different elective subjects to achieve Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).

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.

Learn new skills including

• Help improve the quality of life for clients
• Work with a range of diverse clients, including people with dementia
• Recognise healthy body systems
• Meet personal support needs
• Help clients to live with respect and dignity and maintain independence
• Understand the concepts and practices required to provide person-centred support

Employment opportunities with this qualification include:

• Aged Care Worker
• Respite Care Worker
• Disability Services Worker
• Direct Care Worker
• Home Help Worker
• Personal Care Worker
• Support Worker

Course outcomes include

• Completion of a nationally recognised industry qualification
• Experience providing care in a care service facility.

Available as a Traineeship

This qualification can be completed through a traineeship pathway. Please contact Mairead O’Leary on 9970 1001 or email mairead@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information. New entrant traineeship: $0.

Course entry requirements

• Telephone or personal meeting with our Training Coordinator who will provide course information and answer your questions to ensure this is the right course for you before you enrol.
• Current National Police Check
• Current Influenza Vaccination
• Unique Student Identifier (see information below).
• Successful completion of an NBMC English language, literacy and numeracy quiz to determine that you have appropriate skills to successfully complete the course.
• Reasonable level of fitness to carry out manual handling tasks.
• COVID-19 vaccination may be required in accordance with NSW Health Orders.

What you need to know about this course

• The College offers part time day or evening courses. See below for class options.
• Attendance will be in person at a College Campus.
• The course is delivered combining classroom attendance, weekly flexible directed self study hours and 120 work placement hours.
• Students will need to allow regular weekly hours (approx 15) throughout the course for directed self study for the completion of learning and assessment tasks.
• There are no classes during school holidays.
• The course is delivered in the College’s fully equipped aged care/nursing training room by our qualified and industry experienced trainer/assessor.
• Work placement hours will differ to normal class hours usually 7am-3pm Mon-Fri
• 15 units of competency must be successfully completed to achieve this qualification. These are listed in the pop up list located above the class options below.
• A timetable will be provided on course commencement detailing theory, practical and work placement training sessions.

About work placement

• A minimum of 120 hours of unpaid work placement in a care service facility is required (usually arranged by NBMC)
• Work placement provides you with the opportunity to respond to situations and circumstances that cannot be replicated in a simulated environment.
• Your trainer will visit you regularly during work placement hours to guide and support you as well as assess practical skills. h3. Are there Assessments?
• Competency based assessment of each unit of competency in the course will be conducted through a mix of assessment methods including case studies, theory tasks, projects and practical demonstration.
• Some units of competency require assessment of practical skills during work placement.
• You will receive clear assessment instructions and an opportunity will be provided for resubmission of assessments if required.

Pathway to Further Training

The Certificate III in Individual Support can provide a pathway to CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support or CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services or other qualifications relevant to the community services and/or health industries.

Eligibility for “NSW Fee Free” Training – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

The NSW and Federal Governments have signed an agreement to deliver more fee free vocational education places in NSW in 2025 for priority qualifications including Certificate III in Individual Support – training to commence between 1 January and 30 June 2025. Note: There are very limited fee-free places available and cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to apply for a fee free position, it is recommended that you do so as soon as possible after 1 November 2024

To be eligible you must be:

• an Australian Citizen/Perm Resident/NZ citizen/humanitarian visa holder or a partner visa holder whose sponsor is a humanitarian visa holder
• aged 15 years or older, and
• live or work in New South Wales, and
• no longer be at school or equivalent (excluding registered home schooled)

If you meet the above criteria, along with the Course Entry Requirements, you can apply to study this course fee free (includes course resources but students are responsible for the cost of obtaining a police check).

Course cost

If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria the cost for this course is: $7000 – please contact the College for payment options.

College Trainers

All NBMC Trainers/Assessors are current industry professionals with the required qualifications to deliver and assess this course. Trainers draw upon and share their own experiences in the industry to ensure that the training delivered to you is current and relevant. For information about individual trainers, please click on the trainer name in the class details below for the trainer’s bio.

Student Support

Please advise our Training Coordinator at your initial telephone or personal meeting if you require additional support in your learning. This will allow a support plan to be devised before you commence your course.

Why study at Northern Beaches & Mosman College?

Enjoy smaller class sizes, a personalised relationship with your trainer, face-to face teaching sessions and qualifications that include real life work experience, when you choose to study at the three-campus Northern Beaches & Mosman College. (NBMC) With classes available across the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore at Brookvale and Mosman, the College offers increasing numbers of accredited and vocational qualifications. Students include those looking to upskill, to change career direction and school leavers keen to step onto a career pathway. Courses on offer can lead directly to employment and/or go towards future learning opportunities.

National Recognition Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This is a process of acknowledging previously completed qualifications, skills, knowledge or experience relevant to your course. This may reduce the amount of learning required, reduce your course fees and allow you to achieve your qualification faster. Any student who believes they may be eligible for RPL should discuss this with our Training Coordinator on enrolment.

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 (eg passport or driver’s licence) used 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.

To Enrol or for Further Information

• Commence the enrolment process by completing the application below.
• Contact Mairead O’Leary on 9970 1001 or email mairead@nbmc.nsw.edu.au for further information.

Training in priority qualifications is fee-free and fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.