Certificate III in Individual Support
The baseline vocational qualification for Aged Care and disability support work.
The Certificate III in Individual Support is the baseline vocational qualification for working in Aged Care and disability support. Most frontline support roles either require it or expect workers to be enrolled in it, and it commonly comes with a specialisation in ageing, disability or both. The course covers personal care, working safely, supporting independence and communicating with the people you assist.
For workers, the Cert III is usually the entry ticket into the sector. It is delivered by registered training organisations and includes supervised work placement, so it gives new starters real hands-on experience before they take on a role of their own.
For providers, the qualification is one piece of the picture, sitting alongside worker screening rather than replacing it. A Cert III does not satisfy screening on its own: Aged Care workers still need either a police certificate issued in the last three years or an NDIS Worker Screening Check. Keeping qualification certificates and screening clearances together against each worker is part of what a Career Passport is for. The qualification document is reviewed rather than verified against the issuing body.
This is general information, not compliance advice. Always confirm requirements with the relevant regulator, and remember that providers keep the legal responsibility to sight credentials and decide who can work.
We work hard to keep it accurate, but the rules change and we will not always get every detail right. If you think something here needs updating, email us at resources@koora.care. We would genuinely rather know, because we all do better when we help each other get it right.
How to become an Aged Care worker in Australia
The qualifications, screening and steps to start a career in Aged Care, from the Certificate III in Individual Support to your first job.
Read guideAged CareCertificate III vs Certificate IV in Aged Care
How CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support and CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support differ, what each unlocks, and the usual pathway between them.
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