According to statistics provided by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 15% (3.7 million) of the total Australian population are 65 years and above in age. This number is projected to reach 22% (8.7 million) by 2056. Furthermore, according to data from Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC), 4.4 million Australians (17.7%) were living with one or more disabilities in 2018 with only 2.65 (10.8%) million care providers. A recent study of job opportunities on Seek shows that there are 5,755 jobs pertaining to care giving, and is expected to increase by 29.3% in the next 5 years – placing a massive pressure on existing health care workers to provide quality facilities in the industry.
To prepare the Australian workforce for this massive demand, the Community Services & Health Industry Skills Council (CSHISC) announced an updated course, Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015), in August 2015. The course has been designed to supersede three courses;
- Certificate III in Aged Care (CHC30212)
- Certificate III in Home and Community Care (CHC30312)
- Certificate III in Disability (CHC30408).
Certificate III in Individual Support course still allows you to specialize in one of the above-mentioned areas. The difference is that there were 14 units in each of the courses before. However, the new course has just 13 units in total; 7 core units and 6 electives. You can choose to specialize in one or get a combination of all three.
What to expect from the course?
Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) demonstrates the capabilities of workers in the community to follow an individualized plan to provide person-centered support to individuals who may require support due to ageing, disability, or some other factors. The course has been designed to gain theoretical knowledge as well as factual, technical, and procedural knowledge on the ideas and practices needed to give person- centered support.
To achieve this competency, you must have completed at least 120 hours of work as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the units of competency. After the completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Accompany aged and disabled people for their daily activities.
- Assist clients with their mobility.
- Prepare food for clients.
- Arrange social activities.
- Assist in personal hygiene and cleaning.
- Provide companionship, friendship and emotional support.
Career opportunities
You can aspire to choose one of the following careers after the completion of the course.
- In-Home Respite Worker
- Nurse’s Aide
- Community Access Coordinator
- Planned activity assistant
- Accommodation Support Worker
- Care Service Employee
- Community care worker
- Disability Service Officer
- Care assistant
- Client Assistant
- Care Worker
- Community House Worker
- Home care assistant
- Residential Care Worker
- Residential Support Worker
- Senior Personal Care Assistant
- Transport Support Worker
- Field Officer (Community Services)
- Family Support Worker
- School Support Officer (Disability)
- Residential aide
Instead of studying separate courses, Individual Support entails all the courses in one, giving a student the freedom to choose from multiple specialisations. With this certificate, one can also opt for more specialized and advance courses such as Certificate IV in Disability, Certificate IV in Ageing Support and Certificate IV in Community Services.
Royal Greenhill Institute of Technology (RGIT), Australia offers the highly demanded course that runs for the duration of 52 weeks. One can also opt for a fast-track course, which runs for the duration of 26 weeks (T&Cs apply). Upon completion of the course, one is expected to possess sound theoretical knowledge and skills with a combination of a minimum of 120 hours of work-based training in a regulated Aged Care Industry.
To get more information on the course and discuss your study plans, send your enquiry at [email protected] or visit our website www.rgit.edu.au
