Swinburne Open Education
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Course Information
Launch your career in disability support services with the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability). Learn how to empower and support people with disabilities to become more independent and live rich and full lives. This industry-designed qualification will give you the skills, knowledge and values to provide individual care to people with disabilities in residential, community, health care and NDIS settings.
With employment projected to grow by 18% in 2025, you can pursue meaningful work with huge growth potential.
The course duration is up to 18 months. As a guide for self-paced learning, a minimum of 15 hours per week is recommended to complete the course within this timeframe. The actual completion time will depend on your level of skill and knowledge.
Extensions of up to 6 months (3 months per extension) may be applied for if eligibility criteria are met.
This course is delivered online with mandatory Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment (SWLA) placements. All learning materials are accessed through an online learning portal and can be studied on any device — desktop, tablet or mobile.
Online modules are broken down into topics and subtopics. Each module contains a range of learning styles including written text, diagrams, instructional videos and formative activities. Trainer support is available through the course messaging system, with one-on-one video calls available if needed. A Monthly Course Spotlight video is also provided.
Through the learning platform, students can:
- Access learning materials and assessments
- Undertake and upload assessments
- Engage and interact with their trainer
- View monthly Course Spotlight videos recorded by their trainer
- Participate in student forums
- Access assessment grades and feedback
- Access student support services
This course is only offered in Victoria.
This course is suited to people looking to launch or build a career in disability support services. It is ideal for those who want to empower and support people with disabilities to become more independent. Students must be at least 18 years old and be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident. This course is only available to students in Victoria.
Subjects
This course contains 16 online modules, designed to cover 15 units of competency, including 9 core units and 6 elective units, plus an introductory module. Upon completing each module, the next module becomes available.
Payment Option
About Swinburne Open Education
We are focused on helping more and more Australians achieve their career aspirations and ensuring they’re prepared for future workforce needs. We support you to achieve your career goals, from work-integrated learning, to work placement. We’ve partnered with industry experts that need people like you, now.
Swinburne Open Education courses are delivered and assessed by UP Education, one of the largest private education groups in the Asia-Pacific. All qualifications are nationally recognised in Australia and are awarded by Swinburne University of Technology.
Together, UP Education and Swinburne University of Technology have established Swinburne Open Education – a world-class, online native learning platform, to help you reach your career goals, anytime, anywhere.
Swinburne University of Technology is a registered training organisation (RTO 3059)
Career Pathway
- Disability support worker
- Personal care assistant
- Residential care officer
- Accommodation support worker
- NDIS support worker
Course Features
Innovative online learning accessible on any device — desktop, tablet or mobile
Focus on in-demand skills in a rapidly growing industry
Flexible self-paced study to balance work, family and social life
Trainer support via course messaging system and one-on-one video calls
Monthly Course Spotlight videos from trainers
Student forums for peer interaction
Qualification awarded by Swinburne University of Technology (RTO 3059)
Professional Recognition
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia
NRT — Nationally Recognised Training. Upon successful completion, graduates receive the nationally recognised qualification CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), awarded by Swinburne University of Technology (RTO 3059).
Eligibility
Personal requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident
- A reasonable level of physical fitness is required, as students must be able to perform practical workplace tasks within an individual support setting (e.g. providing physical assistance to clients, supporting mobility, standing or moving for extended periods)
Computer skills requirements:
- Create, save and edit Microsoft Office documents
- Access and search the internet
- Download and save documents from websites
- Upload documents through websites
- Create videos
IT requirements (Desktop or laptop):
- Latest version of Chrome or Safari
- Microsoft Office (2010 or higher)
- Adobe PDF Reader
IT requirements (Mobile or tablet):
- Latest version of Chrome or Safari
- Latest version of Android or iOS
- Note: Students using a mobile or tablet will need to upload documents from a laptop, PC or have a Dropbox account
Work Placement
Completion of Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment (SWLA), also referred to as work placement, is a mandatory requirement of this course.
- Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours of work placement in an approved host organisation
- Work placement is completed in two blocks during the course
- Students are responsible for sourcing a suitable work placement
- Swinburne Open Education will review the proposed workplace before placement begins to ensure it meets course requirements
- Students must meet any workplace compliance requirements set by the host organisation, which may include Police Checks, Working with Children Checks, NDIS Worker Screening Checks, vaccination requirements or other workplace-specific clearances, at their own cost
Before starting each block, students must complete the required theory and assessment activities. During placement, students will first practise their skills, then complete and submit evidence of simulated activities before progressing to practical assessment activities involving real clients.
Curriculum
Learning materials are accessed through the online learning portal and include:
- Learning activities
- Rich media including video resources and web links
The course is assessed online through the learning management platform. Students are assigned a specialist assessor for each module. Assessment methods include:
- Short answer questions
- Projects
- Case studies
- Logbooks
- Portfolios
- Direct observation (assessed in real time in the workplace or in a simulated situation that reflects the workplace)
Some assessments require role plays to demonstrate communication and problem-solving skills, which are recorded via video on the student's device and uploaded to the online platform.
Swinburne Open Education
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