What is CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support?

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is Australia’s current national qualification for entry-level support workers in community, home or residential care. Graduates work under supervision and delegation as part of a multi-disciplinary team, following individualised plans to deliver person-centred support to people who need help because of ageing, disability or some other reason. It replaced CHC33015 in November 2022 and is the standard starting qualification for personal care and support roles across aged care, disability and home care.

If you are considering a care career or comparing courses, this guide explains what the qualification covers, its structure, its specialisations and what studying it involves at ALIT.

What the qualification prepares you for

According to the national training register, the qualification reflects the roles of individuals who work in the community, home or residential care setting under supervision and delegation, following an individualised plan to provide person-centred support. Workers take responsibility for their own outputs within the scope of their job role and delegation, and hold a range of factual, technical and procedural knowledge, plus some theoretical knowledge of person-centred practice.

In plain terms, this is the qualification behind roles such as personal care assistant, aged care worker, disability support worker and home care worker. CHC33021 was first released on 23 November 2022 and supersedes CHC33015, with the register recording the change as not equivalent, so anyone enrolling today studies the new qualification. The register notes that no licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to the qualification at the time of publication, though employers commonly require police checks and, for disability roles, an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance — confirm current requirements for your intended role with the relevant authority.

Course structure: fifteen units

The qualification requires fifteen units of competency: nine core units plus six electives. At least three of the electives must come from the groups that create the specialisations, with the remainder drawn more broadly. This mix is what lets providers shape the course toward aged care, disability support or general community care while keeping the same core skills for every graduate.

The nine core units

The core units are the same for every student completing CHC33021: CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support, CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support, CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing, CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems, CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services, CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people, CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically, HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control, and HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care.

Together they cover the daily craft of support work: reading and following an individualised plan, communicating inside a multi-disciplinary team, supporting people respectfully across cultures, understanding legal and ethical duties, keeping yourself and clients safe, controlling infection, and knowing enough about how the body works to notice when something changes. That body-systems knowledge is also the foundation for later medication assistance training — ALIT’s guide to who needs HLTHPS006 explains how medication units build on this base.

Electives and specialisations

Electives are organised into groups. Completing all Group A electives earns the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing); all Group B electives earns the (Disability) specialisation; and both groups together earns (Ageing and Disability). General electives from Group C round out the course. The specialisation you complete is recorded on your testamur, which matters for employers hiring into aged care or disability-specific roles.

Work placement

To achieve the qualification, candidates must complete at least 120 hours of work as detailed in the assessment requirements of the units of competency. Placement is where the person-centred theory becomes practice — supporting real clients under supervision and building the workplace evidence that assessors sight. Plan for placement when you enrol, because it is a scheduled part of the course rather than an optional extra.

Studying CHC33021 at ALIT

ALIT delivers the Certificate III in Individual Support at its West Melbourne campus with monthly intakes, a listed duration of 36 weeks and recognition of prior learning available for experienced workers. Contact the admissions team for current fees and delivery details. International students can explore ALIT’s range of CRICOS-approved courses and check study options with the admissions team.

Where the qualification leads

CHC33021 is the entry point to direct support work and the platform for further study. Graduates commonly move into personal care, aged care, disability support and home care roles, then extend their careers with the Certificate IV in Ageing Support or the Certificate IV in Disability Support, both delivered at West Melbourne. Workers who add medication assistance duties later typically complete the unit HLTHPS006 — ALIT’s guide to what HLTHPS006 Assist Clients with Medication is covers that pathway.

FAQ

Is CHC33021 the same as CHC33015?

No. CHC33021 superseded CHC33015 in November 2022, and the national register records the change as not equivalent. New students enrol in CHC33021.

How many units are in the Certificate III in Individual Support?

Fifteen in total: nine core units and six electives, with at least three electives from the specialisation groups.

Does CHC33021 include work placement?

Yes. At least 120 hours of work are required, as detailed in the assessment requirements of the units.

Do I need a licence to work as a support worker after graduating?

No licence attaches to the qualification itself, though employers commonly require police checks and NDIS Worker Screening for disability roles. Confirm the requirements for your intended role with the relevant authority.

Related ALIT guide: what CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support covers.

Related ALIT guide: what CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support is.

Related ALIT guide: studying CHC33021 online in Victoria.

Related ALIT guide: the Cert III versus Cert IV disability support comparison.