Train to become a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Personal Care Worker (PCW) or Disability Support Worker with class-based training at our Carnegie campus in Melbourne.

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support includes both the Ageing and Disability specialisations, with full-time and part-time study options and a structured 120-hour work placement organised for Melbourne students.

If you enjoy caring for people, have a sensitive and compassionate nature, and want meaningful work supporting older people or people with disability, this practical course can prepare you for employment across aged care and disability support services.

Classes are delivered on campus in Carnegie, with practical learning, trainer support and placement arrangements designed to help you develop the skills required for real workplace settings.

Class-based Course Delivery in Carnegie, Melbourne

This class-based program includes:

  • On-campus classes at our Carnegie, Melbourne campus, with practical learning in fully equipped simulation classrooms.
  • Full-time or part-time study options, with full-time classes over two days per week, or part-time with one evening and one Saturday class per week.
  • Placement support, through our Melbourne residential aged care partners.

Course Duration and Study Schedule

Choose a full-time or part-time class schedule at our Carnegie campus:

  • Full-time: approximately 3.5 months of classes, attending two full days per week, with additional self-directed study.
  • Part-time: approximately 5 months of classes, attending one evening and one Saturday class per week, with additional self-directed study.
  • Work placement: the qualification includes a structured 120-hour work placement, with placement support provided for Melbourne students.

Upcoming Intakes – Carnegie, Melbourne

  • Full-time: new intakes commence approximately every 4 weeks.
  • Part-time: new intakes commence approximately every 6 weeks.

Fees and Funding

View our current course fees and funding information.

120-Hour Work Placement in Melbourne

Work placement is a key part of CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, giving you the opportunity to apply your skills in a real workplace. For Melbourne students, Phillips Institute will organise your 120-hour supervised placement in a residential aged care facility and will endeavour to arrange a suitable placement as close to your home as possible.

Phillips Institute has established relationships with residential aged care organisations across Melbourne and has been arranging student placements for more than 25 years.

If you already have a placement organisation in mind, such as a suitable residential aged care facility, you may be able to organise your own placement, subject to RTO approval.

Organised placement for this class-based program is currently available in Melbourne. Suitably employed regional or interstate applicants may wish to consider our separate Experienced Worker program.

Why do we usually arrange placement in residential aged care?

Many students choose this course because they want to work in disability support. Phillips Institute’s class-based program includes both the Ageing and Disability specialisations, but we usually arrange the 120-hour placement in a residential aged care facility.

This is because the core units of CHC33021 require students to demonstrate a broad range of practical personal-support skills in a real workplace. These include personal care, mealtime support, continence care, mobility and transfers, and the use of equipment such as hoists, slings and slide sheets. Some of these skills must be demonstrated in the workplace on multiple occasions.

Disability-support workplaces vary considerably according to the needs of the people being supported, and not every setting can provide reliable opportunities to demonstrate the full range of required practical skills during a placement. A suitable residential aged care placement gives students regular, supervised opportunities to develop and demonstrate this broader range of skills.

If your career goal is disability support, the placement is still highly relevant. The practical skills developed in personal care, mobility support, communication, dignity and choice, individualised support and safe work practices are applicable across many aged care and disability-support roles.

Students who wish to use another suitable workplace or placement setting can discuss this with Phillips Institute. Before approving an alternative, we need to confirm that it can provide the clients, activities, equipment, supervision and assessment opportunities required for the course.

The placement is also designed to broaden practical experience and confidence, including skills students may not routinely encounter in their existing work or preferred sector.

Class Timetable

Full-time – Carnegie, Melbourne
Monday and Tuesday, 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Part-time – Carnegie, Melbourne
Thursday evening, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, plus Saturday, 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Placement attendance:
Residential Aged Care Facility, Melbourne
Supervised placement is required working with people who are ageing and living in residential aged care; work placement requires demonstration of skills during a period of 120 hours minimum; many students complete their placement in a block of approximately 3.5–4 weeks, Monday to Friday, usually 7am to 2.30pm. Placements are not scheduled on public holidays, weekends, evenings or night shifts.

Entry Requirements

No minimum prior qualification is required. However, you will need to be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English, read and interpret workplace information, and use basic numeracy skills at the level required in the workplace.

Training focuses on developing the practical skills and knowledge needed for work in aged care and disability support. For this class-based program, printed learning and assessment resources are provided during classes.

Checks and Immunisations for placement

Because your placement involves working with people receiving care and support, you will need to meet the checks and immunisation requirements of the placement provider.

All students must provide a current National Police Check before commencing placement. The check must meet Phillips Institute and placement-provider requirements at the time placement is arranged.

Placement providers may also require evidence of particular immunisations before placement begins. Requirements can vary between organisations and may change over time. Your trainer can provide further guidance, and you can also refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for current workplace recommendations.

Pathways

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support can prepare you for employment in aged care and disability support and can also provide a foundation for further study in community services and health.

Further study options

The Disability specialisation included in this course satisfies one of the entry requirements for CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support.

Depending on your career goals, you may also consider further study in:

Students who later undertake another qualification may be eligible for credit transfer for equivalent units already successfully completed.

Some graduates later choose to pursue nursing or other health-related studies. Entry and credit arrangements for those courses are determined by the relevant education provider.

Already working in aged care or disability support?

If you are already suitably employed in the sector, our separate Experienced Worker program may provide a more flexible option and may allow recognition of existing skills and experience.

Qualification Structure – Ageing and Disability Specialisations

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support includes 9 core units and 6 elective units.

For the Phillips Institute class-based program, all students complete the electives required for both the Ageing and Disability specialisations.

Core units (9)
  • CHCCCS031 – Provide individualised support
  • CHCCCS040 – Support independence and wellbeing
  • CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services
  • CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
  • CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically
  • CHCCCS041 – Recognise healthy body systems
  • HLTWHS002 – Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  • CHCCCS038 – Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
  • HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
Ageing specialisation electives (3)
  • CHCAGE011 – Provide support to people living with dementia
  • CHCAGE013 – Work effectively in aged care
  • CHCPAL003 – Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Disability specialisation electives (3)
  • CHCDIS011 – Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
  • CHCDIS012 – Support community participation and social inclusion
  • CHCDIS020 – Work effectively in disability support

Practical assessment requirements apply across a number of units in this qualification. These are completed through class-based simulation, supervised workplace activities and the 120-hour placement as applicable to each unit.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about CHC33021

Is CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support class-based or online?

This program is delivered through class-based training at our Carnegie campus in Melbourne. Full-time and part-time study options are available. If you are already suitably employed in aged care or disability support and are looking for a more flexible option, you may wish to consider our separate Experienced Worker program.

Does this course include both the Ageing and Disability specialisations?

Yes. Phillips Institute’s class-based CHC33021 program includes the elective units required for both the Ageing and Disability specialisations. Students completing the program therefore develop skills relevant to work across both aged care and disability support.

How long does the course take?

Full-time students complete approximately 3.5 months of classes, attending two full days per week. Part-time students complete approximately 5 months of classes, attending one evening and one Saturday class per week. The qualification also includes a structured 120-hour work placement.

How often do new classes start?

New full-time classes at Carnegie generally commence approximately every 4 weeks, while new part-time classes generally commence approximately every 6 weeks. Contact us to confirm the next available intake.

Does Phillips Institute organise my work placement?

Yes. For Melbourne students in the class-based program, Phillips Institute organises a supervised 120-hour placement in a suitable residential aged care facility and will endeavour to arrange the placement as close to your home as possible.

Why is placement usually in residential aged care if I want to work in disability support?

The core units of CHC33021 require students to develop and demonstrate a broad range of practical personal-support skills in a real workplace. These can include personal care, mealtime support, continence care, mobility and transfers, and the use of equipment such as hoists, slings and slide sheets.

Disability-support workplaces vary considerably according to the needs of the people being supported, so not every setting provides reliable opportunities to practise and demonstrate the full range of required skills. A suitable residential aged care placement provides regular supervised opportunities to build this broader practical experience. These skills are also relevant across many disability-support roles.

Can I use my current workplace or arrange a different placement?

Possibly. If you already have access to a suitable workplace or placement setting, discuss this with Phillips Institute. Before approving an alternative, we need to confirm that it can provide the clients, activities, equipment, supervision and assessment opportunities required for the qualification.

What checks or immunisations do I need before placement?

You will need to provide a current National Police Check before commencing placement. Placement providers may also require evidence of particular immunisations or other checks. Requirements can vary between organisations, and Phillips Institute will advise you of the requirements relevant to your placement.

What jobs can CHC33021 prepare me for?

The qualification can help prepare you for support roles such as Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Personal Care Worker (PCW) and Disability Support Worker. The exact role titles and employment requirements vary between employers and service settings.

Ready to take the next step?

Whether your goal is to work in aged care, disability support or both, our team can help you decide whether the class-based CHC33021 program is right for you.

Apply for an upcoming Carnegie intake or contact us if you would like to discuss the course, class schedule, placement or your career goals first.