Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)

Prioritise your learning journey with this practical course, which will help you upskill to provide personal care and support while adhering to safe work protocols.
You'll learn a diverse set of theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for delivering customised care in a wide array of environments. You'll also develop an aptitude for effective communication, embrace the value of diversity, and familiarise yourself with legal and ethical considerations.
Delivered face-to-face two days a week and one flexible online day per week with 120 hours of practical placement to be completed near the end of the course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of person-centred care and gain insights into the functioning of the healthy body.

Graduates with skills in the personal support industry are going to be in high demand over the new few years with around 179,000 jobs expected to become available, according to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook service.
Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be able to apply for roles in aged care facilities, home and community care environments, or the disability sector just to name a few!
Reflecting the role of support workers in the community, this course will give you the factual, technical and procedural knowledge to follow individualised plans to provide person-centred support. You'll also gain the skills to use your discretion and judgement in relation to individual support as well as taking responsibility for own outputs carried out under regular direct or indirect supervision.

Did you know: The Victorian Government has now made Free TAFE courses even more accessible for new students enrolling for study in 2024. All Free TAFE courses at TAFE Gippsland are now available to people with higher-level qualifications and those who have completed a previous Free TAFE course and are looking to continue in their selected training pathway. Conditions and eligibility rules apply. Check out our Free TAFE information page for further details.

Job roles or employment may include but is not limited to work in:
Aged care stream - Aged care facilities and home and community care environments
Disability stream - A range of disability roles such as disability support worker, personal care worker, lifestyle support worker or personal care assistant, support coordinator, case manager, in-home disability support worker, Community Access Coordinator, In Home Respite Worker, Disability Service Officer, Care Worker, Client Assistant, School Support Officer (Disability), Family Support Worker and community support worker.

Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Certificate IV Leisure and Health
Certificate IV in Disability
Diploma of Nursing
Certificate IV in Community Services
Certificate IV Alcohol and Other Drugs
Certificate IV in Mental Heath

You will prioritise attending to their personal support requirements while adhering to safe work protocols. Throughout your learning journey, you will acquire a diverse set of theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for delivering customised care in a wide array of environments. Additionally, you will develop an aptitude for effective communication, embrace the value of diversity, and familiarise yourself with legal and ethical considerations. Furthermore, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of person-centred care and gain insights into the functioning of the healthy body.
Students will understand the diversity of people with disability. Understand the importance and benefits of an inclusive work environment. Use strategies to enhance communication with people with disabilities in the workplace. Access a range of supports for communicating with people with disabilities in the workplace.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes

Mandatory entry requirements:

Applicants under the age of 18 are encouraged to apply for upcoming intakes, however you must be 18 years of age at course commencement or have turned 18 years of age by 30 April, 2025.
Provide Police Check in each year of placement (without disclosures)
Provide Working with Children’s Check (without disclosures)
Flu vaccination in current year of placement
COVID vaccination - triple dose (From 17 September 2021, COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all residential aged care workers. Exemptions will not apply)
NDIS worker screening check (at a cost of in excess of $130) for Disability students
Other potential vaccination requirements may include Flu, Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Diphtheria – tetanus – pertussis, Hepatitis B and Varicella
Must be able to attend class as per the timetable
Complete 120 hours placement as arranged by TAFE Gippsland unless under a traineeship model.
Prospective student to complete online application form
Minimum ACSF level 3 in all levels

Recommended entry Requirements:

Moderate computer skills
Licence in order to travel to placement is preferable
The ability to stand with only short breaks for the duration of 8 hour period.
The ability to walk for extended periods as required for a clinical placement shift,
Maintain concentration levels in order to complete practical tasks and care at the high level required including for multiple clients/consumers per shift.
Complete multiple physical and mental tasks over the period of a shift with the stamina to provide safe care.
The ability to lift safely at least 20kg of weight.
Stable physical mobility in order to transfer and aid a client with walking.
The ability to assist clients /consumers to move from lying to sitting or to standing all while completing some weight bearing activities.

Limitations to course Entry:

Must be physically fit as elements of the job role will require manual handling using industry equipment and 8-hour shifts on placement where the role involves physical work and long periods of standing. Refer to inherent requirements for this course.

• Working with children check
• Police check

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: No