Australia has a fast-growing ageing population. This means more people than ever will rely on support from specialist healthcare workers to go about their daily lives – and the industry will need to increase its workforce to meet the demand.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is an entry-level qualification and a requirement for anybody seeking employment supporting older people in their homes, hospitals or care facilities.
In this article, you will learn more about the certification, including course content, costs, duration, and job prospects onc completed.
Table of Contents:
- What is Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)?
- What Does an Individual Support Worker Do?
- Is Certificate III Individual Support Hard?
- How Long is a Certificate III in Individual Support?
- How Much is Certificate III in Individual Support?
- How Many Units in Certificate III Individual Support?
- What Jobs Can You Do with Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)?
What is the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)?
A fun, meaningful and rewarding career awaits you when you begin working with people in aged care. Completing the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is your first step on this journey.
A nationally recognised qualification, the certificate provides students with all the essential practical skills to take directly to the workplace and support older people with a range of daily tasks. Once completed, it boosts your chances of securing a job in the aged care support work sector, with some employers paying up to $2,000 per week!
What Does an Individual Support Worker Do?
The purpose of a Support Worker is to help vulnerable people with everyday tasks to make their lives easier. Vulnerability might result from their age, a chronic illness or disability.
When working with an older person, a Support Worker helps in numerous ways, and may include:
- Providing personal care – bathing, dressing and toileting
- Planning and preparing meals
- Buying groceries from the shops
- Administering medication or dressing wounds
- Keeping the housework up to date – cleaning, dusting and vacuuming
- Managing communications with utilities companies
- Offering a friendly ear and companionship
- Accompanying the client to visit medical specialists
- Taking the client on excursions
- Supporting other family members when they visit
Is Certificate III Individual Support Hard?
The certificate is considered an entry-level qualification and teaches students basic skills necessary for working with people in an aged care setting (at home, in a hospital or care residence). It is not considered a difficult course for committed students.
There are no formal entry requirements, although we prefer students to have a School Certificate before enrolling on the course.
The enrolment process also considers a student’s needs and desired outcomes, ability and commitment to complete the course, and existing ability in the ACSF core skills (learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy). They must also meet the eligibility requirements as set out in the National Training Package.
Where a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements, we will redirect them towards a more suitable course.
How Long is a Certificate III in Individual Support?
Certificate III in Individual Support is delivered online or in a blended capacity (a mix of online and face to face delivery) – this flexible learning option allows the student to choose when to study. There is also a work-based component to the study, including 120 logged hours within an Approved Service.
One of the many benefits of flexible learning is that students are empowered to learn at their own pace. Some may complete the course quickly, while others will take longer as they factor their study time around existing commitments – work, family or social plans. You can even study the course while already working in the industry.
On average, we find most of our students complete all components of the course within 6-12 months.
How Much is Certificate III in Individual Support?
As the population in Australia continues to age, jobs in the aged care sector continue to increase.
The government recognises the need for skilled people to fill the growing number of roles offered by healthcare services providers. As such, they provide incentives for many entry-level qualifications to encourage job seekers into the industry. Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is one of the certificates currently available at a heavily subsidised cost.
In 2024, people in Queensland can continue to study CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support at Collaboration Learning by paying a small contribution. Click here to see details of our concessional and non-concessional fees to study Certificate III in Ageing at Collaboration Learning.
Learn more about Queensland funding opportunities
How Many Units in Certificate III Individual Support?
To attain Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), a student must successfully complete 15 units of competency – 9 core and 6 electives.
CORE UNITS
- CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
- CHCCCS023 Support independence and well-being
- CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
- CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
- HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practice for direct client care
- HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
ELECTIVE UNITS
- CHCPAL001 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
- CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
- CHCAGE013 Work effectively in aged care
- CHCCCS001 Address the needs of people living with chronic disease
- CHCAGE007 Recognise and report risk of falls
- CHCCCS043 Support positive mealtime experiences
In addition, all students undertake at least 120 logged working hours within an Approved Service to complete a range of applicable work tasks. Students already working for an Approved Service can complete their hours here or find a work placement elsewhere.
Students are encouraged to locate their preferred placement facility independently, giving you complete flexibility on who it’s with and where. Collaboration Learning will then support students in this process in coordinating with the facility all of the paperwork and requirements to confirm placement. Collaboration also has an extensive network of employers that will support student placement opportunities, these facilities will also be accessible for students to access for placement if convenient to them.
Students receive a booklet detailing all the required tasks to complete during their work placement. An assessor will conduct observations of the student while on placement to review their ability in performing the necessary skills effectively.
What Jobs Can You Do with Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)?
After successfully completing the certificate, you will be better qualified for numerous jobs in the aged care sector, including:
- Accommodation Support Worker
- Care Assistant
- Care Service Employee
- Client Assistant
- Community Access Coordinator
- Community Care Worker
- Community House Worker
- 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
- Transport Support Worker
Study CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) with Queensland’s leading RTO for Aged Care, Collaboration Learning.
Enjoy funded courses, flexible study and industry expert trainers.
Start your future career today!
