Overview
Turn your compassionate nature and people skills into a career with a Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This course provides you with foundational skills and knowledge to work in the aged, disability, home and community care industry. You’ll learn to work with individuals to support their independence and wellbeing, in their homes or in community settings.
You can choose to specialise in the following areas:
- ageing
- home and community
- disability.
Through classroom learning, e-learning and a practical work placement, you’ll learn to:
- provide individualised support, both physical and social
- maintain personal care and other activities
- recognise healthy body systems
- work with diverse people.
You will also learn valuable skills in following safe work practices and working legally and ethically.
Free TAFE - apply now
Eligible students currently won’t pay tuition fees for this course.
Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.
Find out more about Free TAFE.
COVID-19 vaccine requirement
In response to Victoria's Roadmap announced in September 2021, all students must have any COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of placement.
- You must provide evidence of having the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are not compliant with this requirement you are not eligible to undertake a placement and progress within the course.
- Be willing to undergo any additional checks and immunisations as directed by the University.
Community-focused place to study
Victoria University Polytechnic believes in inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. We have a strong history of community engagement, working with organisations in the region to develop programs that meet local needs.
These partnerships benefit the communities near each of our campuses, and benefit our students too. By contributing to local projects, we can ensure our students’ skills are well matched to opportunities in the region, and create networks for future employment.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Timetable
Full time: three days a week (one day workshop, two days interactive e-learning), 9am – 3.30pm
Please note that timetables are subject to change.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
-
Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
- Course information sessions
Develop foundational skills and knowledge to work in the community care industry with the Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33015.
Careers in individual care
Working in individual care and community services can be incredibly rewarding. Job opportunities are also high, and with this qualification from Victoria University Polytechnic, you will be sought after. Employment for aged and disability carers is expected to grow strongly over the next five years (Labour Market Insights).
You will have the skills to provide individualised care to those who require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason. Our graduates find employment working in a range of residential and community settings such as:
- aged care facilities
- residential group homes
- day respite centres
- clients’ homes.
Example job titles include:
- care worker
- home care assistant
- care assistant
- disability support worker
- NDIS disability support worker
- residential care worker
- personal care assistant
- community care worker
- support worker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support, a student must successfully complete a total of thirteen (13) units of competency, consisting of:
- seven (7) core units, and;
- six (6) elective units, consisting of:
- at least four (4) units from the electives listed within the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support qualification, of which, at least two (2) units must be from those units listed under Groups A, B or C;
- up to two (2) units from the electives listed within the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support qualification, any endorsed training package or accredited course.
All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
Specialisations
The Polytechnic currently offer the following specialisation(s):
- Ageing;
- Ageing, Home and Community, and;
- Disability.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
Specialisation: Ageing (on campus) Traineeship (off campus)
To be awarded this specialisation, the following training package rules must be adhered to:
- all Group A units must be selected and all remaining electives must be selected from Group D
CORE UNITS
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group A: Ageing
Either one (1) of the units below, based on student enrolment. Refer to department for information
Unit below for new and continuing students from 01/03/2023
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
Superseded alternative unit for graduates by 28/02/2023
Group D: Ageing
Traineeship
Specialisation: Ageing, Home and Community
To be awarded this dual specialisation, the following additional packaging rules must be adhered to:
- all Group A units must be selected, and;
- at least four (4) units from Group C electives must be selected.
Core units
Elective units
Group A: Ageing
Either one (1) of the units below, based on student enrolment. Refer to department for information
Unit below for new and continuing students from 01/03/2023
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
Superseded alternative unit for graduates by 28/02/2023
Group C: Home and Community
Please note: CHCAGE001 and CHCCCS011 from the Group A Elective list are also approved electives in the Group C Elective list and will count towards the four (4) units required in this group.
Other
Specialisation: Disability
To be awarded this specialisation, the following additional packaging rules must be adhered to:
- all Group B units must be selected.
Core units
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group A: Ageing
Group B: Disability
Either one (1) of the units below, based on student enrolment. Refer to department for information
Unit below for new and continuing students from 01/03/2023
-
- Unit code
- HLTINF006
Superseded alternative unit for graduates by 28/02/2023
Group C: Home and Community
Group D: Aged Care
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
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 individual 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.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, all applicants will be required to complete a pre-training assessment and a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility.
Practical Placement:
For employment and practical placement purposes, all applicants require:
-
Satisfactory Police Check (valid within 6 months of course commencement)
- Evidence of influenza vaccination
- NDIS Worker Screening check
The following are suggested sites to access information about these checks:- Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
- NDIS check - https://www.vic.gov.au/ndis-worker-screening-check
Failure to provide the required documents in the time frame specified by the Course Coordinator, means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 13 June 2023
- 28 August 2023
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
