Course Overview
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge to support people living with disability in a variety of care settings.
With a focus on person-centred support, you’ll learn how to promote independence, wellbeing, and inclusion for individuals across a range of environments—from community care to residential settings.
Training combines self-paced study, hands-on workshops, and industry placement to give you real-world experience and job readiness in a growing sector of the healthcare industry.
Why choose this course?
- Learn from experienced trainers with real-world expertise in disability care
- Enjoy the flexibility of blended learning, with a mix of self-paced study and on-campus support
- Build confidence through hands-on workshops and industry placement experience
- Develop the skills to support people with disability with dignity and respect
- Graduate job-ready with practical skills and strong connections to the disability sector
- Pathway to further study in community services, aged care, or nursing
If you’re passionate about making a difference, this course is your pathway to a rewarding and impactful career in disability support.
Campus Locations
What You'll Learn
- The skills to empower and support people with a disability
- Legal and ethical work practices
- How to follow safe work practices for direct client care in a disability support role
- Understanding what is meant by working with a ‘strength-based approach’ and putting it into practice
- Improving community participation and social inclusion for people with a disability
- How to facilitate responsible behaviour
- Learning strategies in developing high-level communication skills
Recognition
Study Method
- 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
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Locations
- South Australia
Duration Study Load
- 6 to 12 months, including practical experience placement and holiday breaks
Delivery
A combination of flexible delivery modes, including online, classroom-based (face-to-face training), self-directed learning, and practical ‘hands-on’ clinical skills.
The delivery schedule consists of two full days of attendance on campus per week for facilitated education sessions with your educator and practical sessions in our skills lab.
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for the CHC33021 CIII in Individual Support course at School of Health are as follows.
You will need to:
- Be 16 years of age or over (not currently enrolled in school) AND
- Be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or have a permanent humanitarian visa or certain temporary visas with study rights AND
- Reside in South Australia AND
- Complete a Reading and Numeracy (RNW) proficiency assessment on campus AND
- Be able to provide an unencumbered National Police Clearance
- Be physically fit to meet the demands of manual handling skills, course mandatory requirements and for future employment
Course Features
- Enjoy the convenience of a blended learning model, study online and on-campus, and get on-the-job training in the disability services industry
- As part of your studies, we will organise a work placement for you with highly respected employers in the disability services sector
- You will receive ongoing guidance and training to help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a Disability Support Worker
- Get the career you want, without the big price tag
- SA-based students can access a funded place from the South Australian Government, meaning you can study this course from as little as $100* (conditions and eligibility criteria apply)
Work Placement
As part of the course, you will be required to complete compulsory Professional Experience Placements (PEP) which will be undertaken with one of our partnered disability care providers. These placements are a vital part of your learning experience, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision of industry professionals.
You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience supporting individuals with disabilities, helping to build your confidence and competence in person-centred care.
Our placement team will assist in coordinating your placement to ensure you are well-prepared and supported every step of the way.
During your mandatory PEP, you will be rostered according to standard industry shifts that are beneficial to the Placement Provider and can be easily supervised. The following shifts are provided as examples only as shift times may vary between organisations, providers, and facilities:
- Morning 7:00am to 3:30pm OR 6:30am to 2:00pm
- Afternoon 1:00pm to 9:30pm OR 3:00pm to 11:00pm
Placement prerequisites:
- A clear and unencumbered National Police certificate (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
- NDIS Workers Clearance (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
- Evidence of your seasonal Influenza (flu) and COVID 19 vaccinations (refer to Workplace Clearances/ Checks in your Course Guide)
- Current HLTAID011 Provide first aid and current HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Statement of Attainment (refer to First Aid Requirements in you Course Guide)
- A Certificate of Completion for the Manual Handling Workshop as per your course timetable OR a Statement of Attainment for HLTWHS005 Conduct manual tasks safely (refer to Manual Handling Requirements in your Course Guide)
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of NDIS New Worker Orientation online learning.
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of Do Food Safely online learning.
- Evidence of satisfactory completion of National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) online learning modules:
- Basics of infection control in aged care
- Hand hygiene hand dermatitis online module
Recognition Of Prior Learning
- We offer all students the opportunity to apply for RPL. It is important to note that RPL is not guaranteed, and you will need to provide sufficient evidence to be assessed against the current competency(ies) listed in the CIII in Individual Support course
- You can apply for RPL at any time during the course of study; however, this needs to be undertaken before commencing the unit(s) of competency for which you are applying for RPL
Assessment
- Case studies
- Knowledge tests
- Oral assessments
- Practical skills assessments
- Role plays
- Third party evidence
- Written assessments
Additional Information
- This qualification is delivered and assessed by YourLife Health & Learning Inc t/a School of Health (Provider number: 40049)
- The testamur will be issued by YourLife Health & Learning Inc t/a School of Health
Intakes
South Australia
- August 2025 – enrolment cut-off 7th of August 2025 (Thursday and Friday campus attendance)
- October 2025 – enrolment cut-off 16th of October 2025 (Thursday and Friday campus attendance)
Subjects
About School of Health
Established in 2001, the School of Health has been committed to developing skilled and compassionate enrolled nurses and individual support care workers. With a strong focus on practical, hands-on training, our graduates are highly regarded and in demand across the industry. At our state-of-the-art campuses, students learn from experienced nurses and clinical specialists, gaining the expertise and confidence needed to excel in real-world healthcare settings.
Our nationally recognised courses in health and community care combine online and on-campus study with practical training though industry placements. These blended courses provide you with the flexibility of online study, while also allowing you to build your knowledge, confidence and hands-on skills to deliver exceptional care to patients and clients.
Currently, we offer blended learning at our South Australia and Western Australia campuses.
YourLife Health & Learning Inc t/a School of Health is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Number: 40049)
