Course Overview
If you’re keen to build a rewarding career in disability, the CHC33021 – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (Release 1) is a specialised qualification that can train you up for entry-level positions in disability support. This course will have you learn the fundamentals of disability care, which can prepare you for the career pathways of Community Care Worker or Disability Support Worker.
Whether you’re looking to enter the community services industry or simply want to create a positive impact for individuals with disabilities, this course can help you develop the practical skills needed to prepare for all situations involved with disability work. Plus, you’ll get the opportunity to undergo work placement where you can put your skills into practice.
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
- Provide individualised support
- Disability Support Worker
What You'll Learn
This qualification comprises units that will help you prepare for a career in disability support. The training you’ll receive from this course will help you carry out duties as a disability care worker, preparing you for different and complex work scenarios. The units also allow you to develop transferable skills that may be useful as you progress throughout your career.
From this course, you’ll learn to:
- Work with diverse people
- Communicate and work in health or community services
- Provide individualised support
- Support community participation and social inclusion
Other personal skills you may learn along the way include:
- The ability to work autonomously
- Cultural sensitivity
- Conflict resolution
- Complex problem-solving
Recognition

Study Method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
Duration and Study Load
This course is designed to be completed within 18 months.
There is no minimum timeframe to complete this course. Students who are highly motivated, well-organised, experienced and committed to making time to study can complete the qualification at an accelerated pace.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. To make sure you get the most out of training with us, the following enrolment process applies:
- Once you have inquired, one of our friendly Education Consultants will contact you to ensure you have the right pre-existing knowledge and skills to achieve your chosen qualification.
- A short language, literacy and numeracy assessment will need to be completed upon enrolment.
To successfully complete this course, we recommend the following:
- Have the ability to read and write in English and display numeracy skills up to a minimum level of Year 10.
- Have access to a modern computer with high-speed internet.
- Have access to a device with audio/video recording and playback capabilities.
- Have basic computing skills, including the ability to make and upload short videos.
Course Features
By choosing Upskilled, you will gain access to supplementary resources that can help with your studies. These inclusions aim to enhance your online learning experience, making it interactive and engaging. These include:
- Access to Upskilled’s customised learning platform, MyUpskilled
- Student Support Team
- Core and specialist trainers
- Online tutorials
Video content access to:
- ClickView
- LinkedIn Learning
Show Off Your Achievements with Upskilled Digital Credentials!
Students who successfully complete their qualification receive a digital badge from Upskilled to display on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, your resume and more. Our sharable badges are portable, verifiable credentials that validate your knowledge, skills and experience in the area of your studies.
Since you worked hard to earn it – why not show everyone your accomplishments?
Role-Playing and Interactive Learning Activities
This course comes with Interactive Learning Activities. Upskilled understands the importance of practical experience, so to complement the theory components of your course, our specialist trainers may run ad-hoc Interactive Learning Activities.
You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other students – sharing questions, thoughts and ideas, as well as participating together in interactive learning activities.
While the Interactive Learning Activities are not mandatory, your participation is encouraged. You can receive some additional benefits and support, which may include:
- Having a study buddy where you can bounce off ideas and help each other with assessments.
- Online Classrooms where our specialist trainers can go over learning content that’s part of your course.
- Activities that relate to your assessments, which can help boost your knowledge and skills.
- Additionally, role-playing is included in some of the learning areas of this course. It will also make up some of the practical elements of your assessments, including the assessments in your work placement.
Work Placement
If you are currently working in the disability industry you are required to undertake work placement during a period of at least 120 hours of direct support work in at least one aged care, home and community, disability or community service organisation, undertaking activities specified for CHCCCS040 – Support independence and wellbeing.
If you are not currently working in the disability industry you are required to undertake an additional ten (10) hours work placement in addition to the 120 hours, to provide the opportunity to practice the skills that are required in the disability industry.
This qualification will have you undertake work placement at a nominated host organisation approved by Upskilled.
Work placement has been specifically designed to help prepare you for potential career outcomes, giving you the opportunity to further implement and gain practical skills and valuable industry insights through a real-life workplace.
Your work placement will commence once you have completed most of the theory components of your course.
Here are some key requirements you should be aware of for the CHC33021 – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability):
- If you are currently working in the disability industry you are required to undertake work placement during a period of at least 120 hours of direct support work in at least one aged care, home and community, disability or community service organisation, undertaking activities specified for CHCCCS040 – Support independence and wellbeing.
- If you are not currently working in the disability industry you are required to undertake an additional ten (10) hours work placement in addition to the 120 hours, to provide the opportunity to practice the skills that are required in the disability industry.
- It is your responsibility to source a suitable host organisation for work placement. Please note that this can take up to several weeks, so it is recommended to allocate sufficient time when sourcing host suitable organisations.
- If you are unable to locate a host organisation, Upskilled’s Work Placement Officer can assist you in finding one. Please note that it is required to provide Upskilled with a list of host organisations who have declined your requests for work placement via MyUpskilled.
- Once you have successfully secured work placement with a host organisation, you will need to complete the Work Placement Agreement Form and submit via MyUpskilled. Please note that Upskilled must approve the Work Placement Agreement before you start your work placement.
Recognition of Prior Learning
- You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer (CT) provided that you have supporting evidence of any prior education and work experience. This can either reduce your study load or shorten the duration of your course. Prior to enrolment, please speak with your Education Consultant for further details
- After enrolment, you can download the application from MyUpskilled, or on request from Student Support. A trainer will be assigned to assess your eligibility for RPL and/or CT
Assessment
- This course will have you undertake summative and formative assessments, write reports and/or create a portfolio, and participate in role-playing scenarios
- You’ll also be working on a variety of projects that require your own research as well as answering various written/oral questions that apply the theory you learn into practice
Subjects
About Upskilled
Upskilled is Australia’s pre-eminent provider of qualifications at certificate and diploma level. We specialise in the online delivery of nationally accredited courses in key industries, ensuring that every learning experience is an investment in career opportunity. Upskilled is proud to be synonymous with outcomes that skill the economy, support the community, and reward our graduates on both a personal and professional level.
At the heart of Upskilled is a commitment to exploring the training opportunities made possible by the digital age. As the internet revolutionises the educational playing field, the rules of student engagement must evolve just as quickly.
Upskilled understands that instant access does not equate to instant knowledge. We understand that a new kind of student requires a new style of learning.
At its heart, learning is an interaction. For that reason, the tools that deliver effective skills learning must be interactive too. By understanding how people systemise information effectively, Upskilled has been able to develop online programs that make study natural, rewarding, and fun.
Upskilled Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organization (RTO 40374)