← Certificate III qualifications
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
CHC - Community Services
Specialisation in supporting people with disability under the NDIS. Covers active support, dignity of risk and safe transfer practices.
Entry requirements
- Year 10 or equivalent
- NDIS Worker Screening
- First Aid
What you will learn
The CHC33021 with the disability specialisation prepares workers for disability support roles funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Core units include providing individualised support, supporting independence and wellbeing, communicating with people with disability and their families, following safe work practices, and applying NDIS Practice Standards. The disability stream adds units on active support principles, supporting community participation, and positive behaviour support. You also study the NDIS Code of Conduct, dignity of risk, supported decision making, and safeguarding from abuse and neglect.
Skills you build
- Active support and skills development
- Personal care including continence support
- Safe manual handling and use of mobility aids
- Communication with non-verbal participants and AAC users
- Positive behaviour support and de-escalation
- Community access and transport support
- NDIS service documentation and progress notes
How the course runs
Most students study full-time over 12 months or part-time over 18 to 24 months. Around 480 hours of formal training plus a mandatory minimum 120 hours of work placement in a disability service. Theory and practical split roughly 50/50, with simulation lab sessions on safe transfers, AAC communication and positive behaviour support. Many workers begin shifts as a casual support worker during the course.
How you will be assessed
- Practical demonstrations in TAFE simulation labs
- Workplace observation by a senior support worker
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- NDIS Code of Conduct and Practice Standards assessment
- Case study presentations on person-centred planning
Workplace and placement
Minimum 120 hours of supervised work placement is required in an NDIS registered service. Placements arranged through RTO industry partnerships. You hold an NDIS Worker Screening clearance before placement begins. Disability support wages are set under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award, with strong demand due to ongoing NDIS funded growth.
Typical employers
- Large NDIS providers (Achieve Australia, Aruma, Endeavour Foundation, Life Without Barriers)
- Small community-based disability providers
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) houses
- Community participation and day-program providers
- Behaviour support and allied health practices
- Self-managed and plan-managed participant teams
Pay after this qualification
$55,000 - $75,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/aged-or-disabled-carers. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can build trust over months and years
- You can handle the unpredictability of behaviours of concern
- You can do personal care work with respect for dignity
- You can work flexible hours including overnight active and sleepover shifts
- You can pass an NDIS Worker Screening
It is probably not for you if
- You struggle with bodily fluids or personal care
- You react impatiently to communication difficulties
- You have a back condition that limits transfers
- You cannot tolerate behaviours of concern (yelling, hitting)
After you finish
After Cert III you can progress to Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121) for senior support and team leader roles, or the Diploma of Community Services (CHC52021) for case management work. Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Disability and Inclusion Studies (Flinders, Deakin) and Bachelor of Nursing programs offer entry pathways. Many workers move into behaviour support practitioner roles with additional qualifications.