Certificate III in Individual Support

Whilst we pride ourselves on our hands-on training, we have had to adjust most of our courses for study from home and remote learning during the COVID-19 restrictions. This means courses will be delivered using a range of methods including online learning, virtual classrooms, workbooks and direct contact with your teacher.

Given the government restrictions that are now in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus in Australia, we expect this new model of study will continue until the government makes changes to these restrictions.

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 own 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.

The learner will gain a wonderful hands-on learning experience covering all of the necessary aspects of being a successful worker in the Aged Care, Home and Community Care and disability sectors. You will enjoy a 120 work placement that is completely supported and set up by SWTAFE.

This course will enable you to work as an individual support worker in an aged care, home and community care and disability setting.

• over the past 10 years jobs in Healthcare and Social Assistance have grown by 26% with Residential Care the biggest driver of growth, growing by 10%
• In 2012 – 350,000 workers in aged care sector, by 2050 there will need to be 1.3m workers in the aged care sector
• 2013 - 2018 – 1 in 4 new jobs created will be in our industry or an additional 229,400 new workers

Locally we are seeing unprecedented growth in the industry with over 90% of our students gained employment or going onto further study within a month of completing the course.

This course is a pathway to a number of other qualifications. Courses you may choose to continue study include:

• Certificate IV in Disability
• Diploma of Nursing

Students will be required to complete 120 hours of placement which will consist of high and low care areas, rehabilitation and allied health areas, respite and community.

You must be 18 years of age to complete the placement component of this course. If you are under the age of 18, you can study the course work but won’t be able to complete the qualification until you turn 18 years of age and can successfully complete the work placement requirements.

Pre-Placement requirements

• A current police check is required prior to all students starting placement
• It is recommended that students have HLTAID003 Provide First Aid before the commencement of the placement
• Students may be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, depending on their placement organisation

Why don’t you come along to our next course info session to find out everything you need to start your learning journey? You can chat with our teachers, tour our facilities, learn more about the course, find out about the application process and get your questions answered by our course experts. 

Find the next info session near you

You must be 17 years of age at the commencement of the course and have turned 18 years of age at the time work placement is scheduled. If you are under the age of 18, you can study the course work but won’t be able to complete the qualification until you turn 18 years of age and can successfully complete the work placement requirements.

Students must be able to produce a current police check prior to placement.

An entry requirement into this course, is for you to have a careers consultation with the Pathfinders Skills and Jobs Centre. After submitting your online application, a member of the Pathfinders Skills and Jobs Centre team will be in contact with you to make an appointment.

To be eligible for this qualification you must successfully complete 13 units: 7 core and 6 elective.

Core Units

Elective Units

This course involves accredited units.  You will be required to complete assessment tasks to demonstrate your underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the course outcomes.  A combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies will be used in either a classroom, online or workplace environment. 

Where units require demonstration of skills in a workplace environment, you will have the opportunity to do this either in your own workplace (where appropriate), through a practical placement, or by using one of the Institute's simulated workshops/classrooms.  Detailed information about the types, conduct and dates of assessments will be provided in advance.  You will also be provided with information about the opportunity for reassessment and appeal.

Once you have applied for your chosen course, you will receive a thank you email from South West TAFE with a few steps to help process your enrolment.

Complete a Pre-Training Review
You will receive an email to complete a Pre-Training Review online evaluation. This evaluation helps us tailor your training to suits your needs.

Create or provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI)
A USI is a nationally recognised reference number that provides an online record of your training qualifications gained in Australia.
Create your USI
Already have a USI but can’t remember it? Find your USI

Skills recognition
If you have experience or prior qualifications, you may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning and gain credits. You will be asked to provide any relevant Statement of Attainment to support identified credits.

Here's an outline of fees and costs associated with your course.

Your fees each year can be made up of 3 different elements.  Everyone has different circumstances that can affect what you pay and how much you pay. :

1. Tuition fees - charged as an hourly rate that varies from course to course. A large portion of the tuition is subsidised by the Victorian Government for eligible students.
2. Resource and/or materials costs - covers the cost of materials and other incidentals. This fee will vary according to the course being undertaken.
3. Booklist items - such as textbooks, equipment and stationery recommended for your course

Tuition fees

There are 4 different rates of tuition fees. Only one will apply to you (depending on your eligibility and circumstances). 

1. Government Subsidised Fee - you could be eligible for a government-subsidised rate under the Skills First funding depending on your age, educational history, and citizenship or residency status. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.
   Check your eligibility
   
   
2. Government Subsidised Concession Fee - If you are eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place and hold a current healthcare or pension card, that you can provide at enrolment. You may be eligible for the concession rate.
   Find out more about concession rates
   
   
3. Free TAFE - Students who are eligible for Victorian government-subsidised training will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). Any resource or material costs, or booklist items for this course are listed in the table below.
   
   
4. Full fee - If you are not eligible for a Skills First government-subsidised place, exemption, concession or are enrolling in a course that isn't government-subsidised, you may be required to pay the full fee rate.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT FEES AND ELIGIBILITY

The fees listed below are indicative only and may be subject to change without notice and given individual circumstances. Your actual fees will be calculated based on your individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect future opportunities to access additional funding in the future. 

Students who are eligible for Victorian government-subsidised training will not pay course tuition fees for the duration of their enrolment in this course, however, there may be some consumable/material fees for the course (find out more below). The consumable fees for this course are listed in the above table.
Find out more or chat with our Customer Service team on 1300 648 911, or visit a SWTAFE Campus.

Some courses require specific resources or materials necessary for your study eg: tools of the trade, excursions, etc. Final costs will be determined and discussed with you prior to enrolment.

Once we have processed your enrolment form, you will receive an email with your invoice.

You have three options when organising your payment:

1. Upfront payment - can be made over the phone with EFTPOS

2. Payment plan - can be directly debited from your bank account, debited from your Centrelink payments or via a VET Student Loan (for diploma or advanced diploma courses only)

3. Paid by employer, school or job network agency - if your fees are being paid by your employer, school or job network agency, you will need to complete an Authority to Invoice form.

Payments will need to be arranged within five(5) business days of receiving the email containing your invoice.

We also offer a range of scholarships each year which you may be eligible to apply for to assist with course fees.

Not sure which course is right for you? South West TAFE will help you find your way.

Our Pathfinders Skills and Jobs Centre is here to support you. Whether you’re exploring career options, transitioning from school to the workforce or looking to study after school we’re here to help you. Call, email or drop in.

Call 5564 8515 or email skillsandjobscentre@swtafe.edu.au

There are five simple steps to apply for a course with us.

1. Apply - complete a short online application form. Once this form is submitted we'll send you a thank you email.
2. Get ready - your thank-you email will contain links to a pre-training review, to a unique student identifier and to government-subsidised training eligibility.
3. Chat with your teacher - your teacher or course specialist will contact you about your Pre-Training Review outcomes and additional course information.
4. Enrol - after chatting with your teacher, you will receive an email with your enrolment form and a link to verify your identity.
5. Sign - once you've completed your enrolment, you will receive a declaration form to review and sign.

If need any assistance with applying, contact our Customer Service team on 1300 648 911 or visit your nearest campus.

As a SWTAFE student, you can access a variety of support services that will enhance your study experience and help you complete your studies successfully. For more information about any of these services, visit our student page.