CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support

Aged care and disability support are two of the fastest-growing employment sectors in Australia, and demand for qualified workers is only increasing. An ageing population, the ongoing expansion of the NDIS, and mandatory qualification requirements introduced following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety have all contributed to a workforce shortage that shows no signs of easing.

For people looking for a career that’s stable, meaningful, and actively hiring, the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is the nationally recognised qualification that gets you there. It trains you to provide person-centred care to people who need support due to age or disability, across residential, community, and in-home settings. You can specialise in either Ageing or Disability, or study units from both.

Delivered by Adept Training (RTO 90991) through a blended model of virtual online classrooms and face-to-face workshops in Harris Park, the CHC33021 Cert III in Individual Support in Sydney is designed to work around your life while making sure you’re genuinely prepared for the job.

Understanding the Two Specialisations

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support has 15 units in total: 9 core units that apply across both sectors, plus 6 elective units that reflect your chosen specialisation – 3 from the Ageing stream and 3 from the Disability stream.

The 9 core units provide the foundation every support worker needs, regardless of who they’re supporting: person-centred care principles, legal and ethical frameworks, infection control, communication in health and community services, safe work practices, and supporting independence and wellbeing.

Your electives then focus your training:

• Ageing Specialisation covers: supporting older people in residential settings, a palliative approach to care, dementia care, and supporting people with chronic health conditions.
• Disability Specialisation covers: community participation, NDIS plan implementation, supporting independent living, empowerment and strengths-based approaches, and working with people with physical, intellectual, or psychosocial disabilities.

Adept Training offers both streams. If you’re not yet sure which direction suits you, that’s a conversation worth having with our team before you enrol.

What a Support Worker Actually Does

Aged Care

In an aged care role, your day involves direct, personal support for older people. That means:

• Assisting with personal care (showering, dressing, grooming, and oral hygiene)
• Preparing meals and supporting nutrition and hydration
• Providing medication reminders under care plan guidelines
• Helping with mobility, transfers, and fall prevention
• Providing social support and companionship
• Supporting people living with dementia with appropriate communication and routines
• Assisting with palliative care under supervision
• Communicating with families, clinical staff, and other members of the care team

It’s physically and emotionally present work. The people you support are often at their most vulnerable, and the difference a skilled, caring support worker makes is real and immediate.

Disability Support

In a disability support role, the focus shifts toward enabling participation and independence. Day-to-day work includes:

• Supporting people to participate in the community and pursue personal goals
• Implementing NDIS support plans with a strengths-based approach
• Assisting with communication – including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
• Supporting people in supported independent living (SIL) environments
• Providing personal care, transport, and daily living support
• Building skills and confidence through consistent, person-led routines
• Working with people with physical, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities across a range of settings

Both roles require adaptability, patience, and genuine commitment to the people you’re working with. The training is designed to build it all.

What You’ll Learn – Core Units

The 9 core units cover the skills every support worker needs, regardless of specialisation:

• CHCCCS031 – Provide individualised support
• CHCCCS040 – Support independence and wellbeing
• CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services
• CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
• CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically
• HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles of infection prevention and control
• HLTWHS002 – Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• CHCAGE013 – Work effectively in aged care (Ageing stream) or equivalent Disability unit
• CHCDIS020 – Work effectively in disability support (Disability stream)

View the full unit list here.

Setting Expectations for Work Placement

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (for disability and aged care streams) requires 120 hours of work placement. This is a practical requirement set by the qualification itself – it’s how you demonstrate your skills in a real care environment.

Adept Training coordinates student placements wherever possible. We’ve built relationships with quality aged care and disability providers, and our goal is to make the placement process as smooth as possible. You’re also welcome to arrange your own placement if you already have a connection to a suitable employer.

Pre-placement requirements you’ll need to arrange:

• National Police Check
• Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• NDIS Worker Screening Check (required for disability placements with registered NDIS providers)
• Up-to-date immunisations

It’s worth starting the police check and WWCC early in the course, as they can take time to process, and you’ll need them before placement begins. Our team will guide you through what’s required and when.

Why Now Is a Good Time to Enter the Care Sector

Aged care and disability support are among the most stable employment sectors in Australia precisely because demand is driven by demographics rather than economic cycles. People age regardless of what the market does. NDIS participants don’t disappear in a downturn.

Since July 2023, aged care workers have received significant pay increases under the Fair Work Commission’s sector-wide decision, with further staged increases through 2025. Holding a Certificate III or above now directly affects which pay grade you’re classified under – meaning this qualification isn’t just about getting a job, it’s about getting paid properly once you’re in one.

For disability support workers, the NDIS continues to expand year on year, and workers with formal qualifications are increasingly preferred by registered NDIS providers. Whether you’re drawn to ageing, disability, or both, the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support puts you in a strong position from day one.

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How is the CHC33021 Cert III Individual Support Course in Sydney Delivered?

This CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (blended online) is structured across 25 weeks and uses a delivery model designed to give you genuine support throughout:

• Virtual online classrooms – live, interactive sessions with your trainer (not just pre-recorded videos)
• Face-to-face workshops at our Harris Park campus, Western Sydney
• Home study of approximately 15–20 hours per week
• Trainer-supported assessments – all assessments (other than workplace observations) are completed during virtual sessions or workshops, with your trainer present

Our trainers are here to support you through your course; you’re not expected to complete it alone. If something isn’t clear, there’s someone to help you.

You’ll need a computer, internet access, email, and Microsoft and Adobe software to participate in the online components.

2026 course details:

Detail	Information
Start Date	Students can commence the course at any time
Duration	25 weeks
Location	Virtual classrooms online + workshops at Harris Park + work placement
Assessments	Completed during virtual sessions and workshops with trainer support

 

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support are qualified for roles including:

• Aged Care Worker
• Disability Support Worker
• Home Care Worker
• Community Care Worker
• Residential Care Worker
• Assistant in Nursing (AIN)
• Personal Care Assistant
• NDIS Support Worker
• Respite Care Worker

You’ll find employment across residential aged care facilities, in-home and community care services, supported independent living (SIL) houses, day programs, hospitals, and community health organisations.

Further study pathways: The Certificate III is a recognised stepping stone to further qualifications in the care sector:

• Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015)
• Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121)
• Diploma of Community Services
• Diploma of Nursing (pathway to Enrolled Nursing registration)

Funding & Fees

The standard course fee is $3,900. This course may be available at a significantly reduced cost through the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program for eligible students.

Places are limited, and eligibility criteria apply. Check if you’re eligible here. Flexible payment plans are available for students who aren’t eligible for government funding.

Entry Requirements

No prior care or healthcare experience is required. To enrol, you’ll need:

• A sound understanding of written and spoken English, maths, and intermediate computer literacy – assessed through our Digital Language, Literacy and Numeracy (DLLN) assessment at enrolment
• Access to a computer, internet, email, and Microsoft and Adobe software

Documents required at enrolment:

• Completed enrolment form
• Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Photo ID
• Proof of residency (birth certificate, passport, Green Medicare Card, or citizenship certificate)

Start a Career in Care with Adept Training

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support gives you a nationally recognised qualification, real workplace experience, and a clear pathway forward – whether you’re entering the sector for the first time or formalising experience you already have.

Adept Training has been delivering healthcare and care qualifications for almost three decades. Our blended delivery, experienced trainers, and placement support mean you’re not doing this alone.

If you’d like to find out more about either specialisation, check your funding eligibility, or enquire about the next intake, get in touch – we’re happy to help you work out the right direction.

Adept Training Pty Ltd | RTO 90991