Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
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CRICOS Course Code: 090829JVET National Code: CHC33015 |
Course Description
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) is designed to provide training to entry level workers who want to work in residential aged care facilities, community care, disability care, community based organisations and hospitals. This qualification reflects the role of workers in the community and/or residential setting (residential aged care facilities) who follow an individualised plan for provision of person-centred care to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason. Workers are being required to increasingly support people in their homes, support people with increasingly complex needs, to tailor care and support approaches to meet individual needs with increased ‘client’ choice. The course combines both theory and practical training, with the bulk of the learning and assessment in the workplace where learners will be practising newly acquired knowledge through delivery of skills in areas relating to personal care, assisting people to maintain independence in their home of choice and provide welfare and support services to assist some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Career Outcomes
- Personal Care Worker
- Assistant in Nursing
- Support Worker
- Respite Worker
- Community Care Worker
Course Admission Requirements
Domestic Australian Students
- For Certificate level courses, students must have completed a minimum of Year 10 schooling or equivalent or to be a mature age student (20 years of age and above).
- Students need to demonstrate they have proficiency in English. If students cannot provide documented proof of their English language proficiency, they will be required to sit for a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test (LLN) before a place can be offered.
- Find out if you are eligible for the government funded Certificate III in Individual Support fees.
- This course is approved by the Department of Human Services (Centrelink) for student payment. Domestic students who meets the requirements of an approved course of education and study may be eligible to receive student payment from the Department.
- Additional requirements below.
International Students
- This course is available to international students on a higher education student visa as their concurrent/ secondary course.
- Students need to demonstrate they have proficiency in English. If students cannot provide documented proof of their English language proficiency, they will be required to sit for a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test (LLN) before a place can be offered.
- International students are required to have a minimum of IELTS test results of 5.5 (academic) with no individual band lower than 5, or achieve an equivalent in other forms of testing that satisfy the Institute’s requirement. If an international student does not have any current IELTS score or any recognised English language result, they are required to take an English language test.
- For Certificate level courses, students must have completed a minimum of Year 10 schooling or equivalent or to be a mature age student (20 years of age and above).
- Additional requirements below.
Note: International student studying a concurrent/secondary course on student visa
An overseas student in Australia on a student visa is permitted to undertake additional study at the same time as the principal course. However, any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is also required for any additional study in a course undertaken by an overseas student whilst in Australia on a student visa. APSI is a registered CRICOS provider which accepts international student undertake this course as their secondary course.
Additional Requirements
- All Certificate III in Individual Support students must be willing to apply, or already hold, a current National Police Clearance (not older than 3 months at time of enrolment). This is COMPULSORY for students/candidates to undertake workplace training. A National Police Clearance can be acquired from any Post Office for a small fee. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Students cannot attend work experience without this.
- All learners are required to wear an APSI uniform while attending workplace training in accordance with APSI Aged Care and Community Services Dress Code.
International students on student visas can study this course as a secondary course
Firstly, I would like to thank APSI for giving such a wonderful opportunity to me to enhance my knowledge skills.
Secondly, I would like to thank tutors for teaching me so nicely and interestingly.
Grace Leahy
Certificate III in Individual Support student from the Philippines
Unit Code |
Unit Name |
Core Units |
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CHCCCS015 | Provide individualised support |
CHCCCS023 | Support independence and well being |
CHCCOM005 | Communicate and work in health or community services |
CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
HLTAAP001 | Recognise healthy body systems |
HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Elective Units |
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CHCAGE001 | Facilitate the empowerment of older people |
CHCAGE005 | Provide support to people living with dementia |
CHCCCS011 | Meet personal support needs |
CHCCCS025 | Support relationships with carers and families |
CHCHCS001 | Provide home and community support services |
HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
Students can also acquire a dual qualification – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) by taking the following extra units:
Additional Units |
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CHCDIS001 | Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach |
CHCDIS002 | Follow established person-centred behaviour supports |
CHCDIS003 | Support community participation and social inclusion |
CHCDIS007 | Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability |


Intake Dates
2023
30 January | 24 April | 17 July | 9 October
2024
29 January | 22 April | 15 July | 7 October
Entry Requirements
- Completion of Year 10 or above AND completion of Certificate III in Individual Support.
- International students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency at the upper immediate level or IELTS 5.5 (Academic).
All students must be over 18 years of age before they can commence this course at APSI.
Course Fees
- Australian/Domestic Student Fees
(includes international students in Perth completing a secondary course) - International Student Fees
- Government Funded/Subsidised Student Fees
Mode of Delivery
This program is delivered with classroom-based face-to-face training which includes but not limited to utilising the specialised training facilities under the required supervision of the trainer, explanation, demonstrations, presentations and some self-paced studies. Also a minimum of 120 hours of workplace training in an appropriate aged care environment is required.
Facilitators/trainers may provide additional learning materials where gaps exist in participants underpinning knowledge or in the training resources.
Course Duration
Domestic students: 14 weeks face to face training which includes 160 hours of workplace training in aged care homes or community care facilities.
(Please contact us to find out the course duration for Disability Workshop)
Location of Delivery
Workplace Training – At the workplace as approved by Australian Professional Skills Institute’s workplace assessor
Timetable
Students need to attend face-to-face training for a minimum of 20 contact hours per week. Class hours will be scheduled from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Timetables/Delivery Schedules/Classes are subject to change without prior notice. Students will be given a timetable prior to course commencement.
Workplace Training
Workplace training is a compulsory component of this course for all students. Students are required to work in aged care facilities for a minimum of 120 hours before graduation. There is no guarantee of employment after completion of workplace training.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is based on the principles of competency based training. Performance of learners is assessed on their ability to perform the task(s) to industry standards. In order to ensure the principles of validity are upheld are variety of learning styles and a range of assessment strategies are used.
Assessment for each unit of competence will be through a combination of classroom based and work placement tasks. Classroom based assessment includes but is not limited to:
- Case studies
- Assignments
- Practical demonstrations
- Group Activities/Roleplay
- Projects
- Knowledge questions
Students are advised well in advance of assessment activities and a student may put forward for consideration any special needs they may have. The assessment criterion is documented in all modules, and workbooks. Dates of assessment are provided on the first day of class along with a timetable. Students may be assessed by a combination of continuous assessments and examinations. Continuous assessment may be based on competencies and marks, or a combination of both.
Uniform
Australian Professional Skills Institute will provide a uniform to all Aged Care and Home and Community Care students while they undertake the theory classes and workplace training.
All learners are required to wear an APSI uniform while attending workplace training in accordance with APSI Aged Care and Community Services Dress Code.
National Police Clearance
A National Police Clearance is compulsory for all students who undertake industry placement or work experience. A National Police Clearance can be acquired from any Post Office for a small fee. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. Students cannot attend work experience without this.
Immunisations
- COVID -19
- Influenza
Articulation
Upon completion of Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community), students can continue to study Certificate IV in Ageing Support.
Employment Skills
Breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills and knowledge application across a broad range ot technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination. Self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.
(Source: AQF Implementation Handbook 2007)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL
- provides an alternative pathway to achieving a qualification without course attendance
- is a consultative process between with the candidate and the assessor to determine whether the candidate has acquired the requisite learning, skills and knowledge to demonstrate that they have achieved the required learning outcomes or performance criteria of the course or qualification, for which the candidate is seeking
- identifies where appropriate additional learning experiences or training gaps are needed to achieve the course or qualification
- is the conduct of an assessment to confirm competency.
APSI has developed a process that promotes holistic and task-based assessment. It focuses on relating assessment activities to actual job tasks. The intention of this model is to streamline and simplify the process of recognising competency.
Prior to RPL, information is provided to the candidate on the assessment process. Specific advice is given to each candidate on how they can demonstrate their competence and what documentary evidence is required to support their application. Each industry has unique documents that can provide evidence of experience and competence.
The candidate is required to provide adequate information prior to, throughout and after a training and assessment experience. The assessor, in this process, needs to be fully aware of the needs of the candidate and help them identify relevant workplace personnel who can confirm the candidate’s competency.
The focus of the APSI streamlined holistic assessment process is to focus on demonstrated skills and knowledge and not to rely purely on documentary evidence as the main source of evidence.
Some examples of documentary evidence that can support the process include:
- licences such as First Aid, RSA
- CV or work history with details of job role and responsibilities
- previous qualifications from overseas and Australia
- certificates and records of results or assessments completed with other RTO’s
- photographs of work undertaken
- samples of related project work
- diaries of tasks performed
- task sheets/job sheets/logbooks
- site training records
- pay slips / employment contracts / job descriptions
- memberships of relevant professional associations
- references/letters/third party reports from previous employers/supervisors
- industry awards
- performance appraisals
Disclaimer
The information contained on this website is current at the time of publishing. Australian Professional Skills Institute reserves the right to change the admission requirements, fees, location of delivery and units of competency whenever necessary. Please contact us for the most current information.