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

Aged Care is a growing and rewarding career pathway. Prioritise your learning journey with this practical course, designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide quality personal care and individual support while following safe work practices.
You will develop a broad range of theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills essential for delivering person-centred aged care across a variety of settings. The course also focuses on effective communication, valuing diversity, and understanding the legal and ethical responsibilities of working in the aged care sector.
Delivered face-to-face over two days per week, the course includes 120 hours of practical placement, completed towards the end of your studies. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of person-centred support, healthy body systems, and the skills required to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people.
Upon completion, you will be well prepared to pursue employment opportunities within the aged care and community services sectors.

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 2026. 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.

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, must be 18 years of age within 12 weeks of course commencement. This will assist with practical placement.
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
As per Government changes Covid vaccinations are no longer mandated in healthcare, however it is strongly recommended for students to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Placement options may be limited, and travel may be required dependant on facility policy for those students who are unable to provide evidence of Covid vaccinations.
NDIS worker screening check (at a cost of in excess of $130)
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:

Good computer skills
Licence in order to travel to placement is required
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

If you're already working in the aged care sector, this course is for you.
Skill up for an incredibly satisfying career that helps older people stay independent and enjoy a better quality of life, in a place that’s safe and familiar. Our Certificate III in Individual Support will give you the skills to provide person-centred care and support to older people living in residential aged care facilities.

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 2026. 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.

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, must be 18 years of age within 12 weeks of course commencement. This will assist with practical placement.
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
As per Government changes Covid vaccinations are no longer mandated in healthcare, however it is strongly recommended for students to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Placement options may be limited, and travel may be required dependant on facility policy for those students who are unable to provide evidence of Covid vaccinations.
NDIS worker screening check (at a cost of in excess of $130)
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:

Good computer skills
Licence in order to travel to placement is required
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