loader

This qualification reflects the role of individuals in a range of community settings and peoples' homes, who provide support in a manner that empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation and wellbeing. Workers promote a person-centred approach, work according to and may contribute to an individualised plan, and work without direct supervision. They may be required to supervise and/or coordinate a small team.

CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support

Career Outcomes

Once you have successfully completed CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support you could be expected to work in roles such as:


Respite Worker

NDIS Support Worker

Residential Care Officer

Disability Support Worker

Senior Personal Care Assistant

Disability Team Leader/Supervisor

Lifestyle Support Officer - Special Schools

Employment Coordinator (Disability)

Additional Information

//www.acos.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/shutterstock_1351687637-e1597044148785.jpg

Education Pathways

Students may continue their education in:

  • CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
  • Other Diploma qualifications in Community Services

Prerequisites

Completion of one of the following qualifications:

  • CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
  • CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
  • CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability

PLUS the CHCSSS0125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set

Course Delivery/Duration

Delivery
  • 20 hours per week of classroom-based learning
  • 10 hours per week of self-study
  • 120 hours of total work placement
Duration
  • 52 weeks comprising of 36 scheduled tuition weeks, 4 weeks of work placement and 12 weeks of holidays

Placement Arrangements

Students will complete 120 hours of work placement. Placements will be in an accredited aged care facility and/or home and community. ACOS has agreements with sufficient workplaces to provide suitable placements for the students. If you would like to select your own aged care or home and community facility, you will need to discuss this arrangement with Student Support. ACOS maintains its own student insurance scheme.

Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL]

Recognition of Prior Learning [RPL] is a process where skills and knowledge that you have gained through work and life experience and other unrecognised training can be formally recognised.

*Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on RPL.

Course Credit

Australian College of Studies can grant you credit towards your course for units of competency that you have already completed with another RTO or authorised issuing organisation. There is no charge to apply for Credit.

To apply, fill in the Credit Application Form and submit it as part of your enrolment. *Please refer to your Student Handbook for more information on Course Credit.

How to Apply

If you would like to enrol into the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support, please contact our office on 1300 415 233 or via email info@acos.edu.au.

International students only: If you are transferring from another provider, please ensure you have a letter of release so that Australian College of Studies can issue you with a new Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) letter.

Entry Requirements

ACOS requires that all students:

  • Are over the age of 18.
  • Complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy, Digital [LLND] assessment to demonstrate that they have the required level of LLND skills required by the course.
  • Demonstrate an interest in, knowledge of, and
    suitability for work in the disability support sector.
  • Demonstrate the level of maturity, empathy, and
    responsibility required to provide person-centred care and empower individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence and quality of life.

Additional Work Placement requirements:

  • Possess a Police check (which is required for
    placement).
  • Possess an NDIS worker check
    Updated Vaccination Record.
  • Have a reasonable level of fitness to cope with the physical demands of supporting people with
    disability, including assisting with mobility, lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.
  • Are physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy to respond appropriately to the diverse needs, comfort, and wellbeing of people with disability.

Further Information – International Students

This course is available to international students who are able to provide evidence that they:

  • Meet the English proficiency requirements with a valid IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no score below 5.0 in any band, or PTE Academic score of 45.
  • Are suitable for entry via an interview (online or in person) as part of the course selection process.

Additional Support

All students will complete a language literacy and numeracy assessment to determine their learning support needs. All students will be provided with a range of learning support options and resources to help you achieve competency. Where additional support needs have been identified an Individual Support Plan will be developed which may include: 

  • Mentoring from trainers
  • Additional classes, tutorials and workshops
  • Online support and exercises for some courses
  • Computer and technology support
  • Referral to external support services
  • Reasonable adjustment to assessments 

Australian College of Studies will provide additional support for any students experiencing:

  • Disability and access issues; 
  • Language barriers; 
  • Language, literacy and numeracy issues; 
  • Employment issues; and/or 
  • Any other issues that may affect their ability to achieve their training goals.

Provision of additional support services will be provided where necessary to enable students to participate in the same way as any other person regardless of whether support services have been required.

Units of Competency

CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support requires the completion of the following 10 units [comprising of 7 core and 3 electives], as follows:

Code Title Core / Elective
CHCCCS044 Follow established person-centred behaviour supports Core
CHCDIS017 Facilitate community participation and social inclusion Core
CHCDIS018 Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach Core
CHCDIS019 Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability Core
CHCLEG003 Manage Legal and ethical compliance Core
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues Core
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety Core
CHCCCCS001 Address the needs of people with chronic disease Elective
CHCCCCS003 Identify and report abuse Elective
CHCCCS036 Support relationships with carer and family Elective
Orientation 

Training Arrangements

The first week will include an orientation session that will cover the following: 

  • Details about living in Australia such as transport, city orientation and currency 
  • How to access support services provided by Australian College of Studies
  • External support services available such as legal, emergency, health and wellbeing 
  • Nearby amenities to assist with learning such as libraries   
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Complaints and Appeals policy and procedure
  • Critical Incident policy and procedure
  • Privacy
  • Introduction to course requirements 
  • Course progress and attendance requirements and impact on VISA requirements.

Classroom Training 

The course will be delivered in the classroom for theory based learning giving students the opportunity to share ideas, discuss and explore core concepts and the practice skills before applying them in their work placement. 

Training will be delivered 3 days per week:

  • 2 days from 9am to 4pm 
  • 1 day from 9am to 5pm.  

Students will have access to College facilities when they are not attending placement to conduct self-study or research and or complete assessment tasks. 

During training sessions students will also have access to the clinical simulation room to learn and practice skills such as performing activities of daily living tasks for their clients, using equipment such as the lifting hoist, practicing safe manual handling and infection control techniques etc. before placement begins.

Work Placement 

Students will complete 120 hours of work placement.  

Work placement is designed to: 

  • Gain invaluable experience in a real work environment
  • Complete and receive feedback on practical work
  • Develop an understanding of workplace expectations and practices
  • Observe experienced staff completing tasks
  • Develop an understanding of workplace policies and procedures
  • Form networks that may assist with future job opportunities

Course Fees

International Students
$11,000 Total
Enrolment fee: $450
Material Fee: $550
Tuition Fee: $10,000
Domestic Students
$5,450 Total
Enrolment fee: $450
Material Fee: $550
Tuition Fee: $4,450

RPL Costs:

  • Application Fee - $500
  • Charge per unit of competency - $200

Total course fees may be reduced to account for the number of units undertaken via RPL or where Course Credit has been granted.  Nationally Recognised Training does not incur GST. Students will only be eligible to receive their qualification if fees have been paid in full and all course requirements have been met. *Please refer to your Student Handbook for our Fees and Refunds Policy.

Assessment Arrangements

Assessment will be conducted individually. You will be provided with a Student Assessment Booklet for each unit of competency which includes:

  • A full description of all assessment tasks for the unit of competency
  • Assessment instructions for each unit of competency
  • Assessment resources for each unit of competency
  • Details about when assessment will occur
  • Details about assessment submission

There are a variety of assessment methods used for this qualification including:

  • Written questions
  • Projects
  • Case studies
  • Role Plays
  • Research
  • Reports