Optimum Training Academy (RTO#46534 | CRICOS #04432K) offers the nationally recognised CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Release 1) qualification with quality content and robust training programs aimed at endowing individuals with the requisite skills.

Where can it take your career?

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is the latest nationally accredited qualification reflects the role of individuals in the community, home or residential care setting who work under supervision and delegation as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, following an individualised plan to provide person-centred support to people who may require support due to ageing, disability or some other reason.

This course is perfect for learners who wants to be:

• Home Care Assistant
• Family Support Worker
• Nurse’s Assistant
• Respite Care Worker

How is the course delivered?

Training is delivered via Face-to-face + Online distance + Vocational Placement.

Course Duration: This course is designed to be completed up to 52 weeks.

Expected Study Hours: Typical learners are expected to spend approximately 1204 hours depending on existing knowledge, skills, and experience.

Note: Please read the Optimum Training Academy Student Handbook and other policies and procedures including Refund Policy, Complaints and Appeals Policy, RPL Procedure prior to enrolling.

What will you learn?

This course is designed to develop your expertise in Community Services. Among others, you will learn to:

• Provide individualised support
• Communicate and work in health or community services
• Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
• Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
• Recognise health body systems

How is the course structured?

All learners will be assessed through:

• Observation during on-the-job or role play/simulation 
• Questioning may include self-assessment, verbal answers, written questionnaires, activity modules or interview
• Third party
• Structured Activities may include Projects, Case studies, presentations, role play, demonstration, progressive tasks (SA)

What are the entry requirements?

There are no pre-requisites required to enter this training program for CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support. However, Optimum Training Academy screens learners according to the following criteria:

• must be 18 years or older
• Have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills* (at least Year 10 English, or equivalent)
• Have basic computer skill
• Must hold a current Student Visa
• (From non-English speaking background) are required to provide any one of the following evidence of upper intermediate proficiency in English:
  • IELTS total band score of at least 5.5 with no band less than 5.0, or equivalent.
  • Occupational English Test (OET), TOEFL Ibt, Pearson Test of English, Cambridge English Advanced with scores equivalent to IELTS 5.5 and no less than 5.0 in each band.
  • The English test must have been taken within two years before the application is made.

*Learners who do not meet the LLN requirements may still enrol into the course provided the enrolment has been endorsed by the trainer and corresponding additional support strategies have been put in place.

What are the resources needed to complete the course?

To support you in your new course with Optimum Training Academy, we will provide the following:

• CHC33021 learning and assessment suite which includes:
  • Learner Guides
  • Assessment Workbooks
  • Templates for Projects and other activities;
  • Simulated resources to provide students with simulated assessment pathways (not applicable to all assessment tasks specially those to be done during vocation placement)
• Additional course readings and resources recommended by trainers.

Mandatory Vocational Placement:

Learners are required to undertake a minimum of 120 hours of vocational placement within a registered and approved care centre. This must occur after the student has satisfactorily completed all the other units/subjects in this qualification.

During this time, the learners are required to complete a skills workbook.

Learners have the option to:

• Source their own Vocational Placement providers (Optimum Training Academy to check suitability) or
• Have Optimum Training Academy assist them in arranging Vocational Placement providers near their area or
• Do their vocational placement through Optimum Training Academy’s network
  • Spry Support Services Pty Ltd
  • Dynamic Care Pty Ltd

Optimum Training Academy will continuously look for and form partnerships with Aged and Disability Care providers in South Australia and in other states in the future.

Optimum Training Academy will provide learners a Vocational Placement Pack that outlines all the requirements for finding a suitable Vocational Placement provider that will facilitate the required workplace assessments and allow the learner to complete the required vocational placement hours.

Learners are recommended to initiate contact with potential vocational placement providers as soon as enrolment is confirmed to allow sufficient time for Optimum Training Academy to confirm the workplace’s safety and suitability.

Vocational placement providers must allow access to:

• Vocational workplace supervisor(s) to supervise and confirm completion of the required tasks included in the Skills Workbook. The workplace supervisor must:
  • Have adequate knowledge and understanding of the provision of aged and disability care 
  • Have the ability to effectively supervise and manage aged care services
  • Have the necessary experience and qualification(s) in the area of individual support specialising in aged and disability care (e.g. you have the relevant VET qualification/s, Certificate III in Individual Support Specialising in Aged and Disability Care or higher)
• Individual support clients including:
  • Three (3) clients and access to their care plans
  • Two (2) clients living with dementia, their family and/or carers
  • Two (2) clients, each with a specific cultural need whom you can provide with personal care support
  • Three (3) clients receiving palliative care
  • Three (3) clients with disability
  • Two (2) clients (and or colleagues) from two (2) different cultural backgrounds
• Clients’ individualised plans, health management plans, personal healthcare checklists, and personal healthcare diaries, where relevant to the client’s needs
• Clients’ family and or carers
• Organisational policies, protocols, and procedures including but not limited to:
  • Work health and safety
  • Safe work practices
  • Manual handling
  • Infection control
  • Assessment processes and protocols for skills development of clients with disability
  • Positive behaviour support including:
    • Responses for critical incidents
    • Accident and incident reporting
    • Restrictions on use of aversive procedures
      • Including least restrictive alternative support
• Workplace equipment and resources normally used by care workers (i.e., as needed: patient hoists, standing lifter, wheelchair, other client assistive devices and mobility aids, and PPE)
• Workplace to conduct a work health and safety inspection
• Opportunities to participate in meetings and discussions with clients and colleagues including but not limited to:
  • One (1) work health and safety meeting/debriefing
  • Continuous improvement meeting with the supervisor and at least one (1) colleague
  • Two (2) meetings, one for each client, living with dementia and their family and/or carers
  • One (1) meeting with client and supervisor for the person-centred planning.
  • Discussions with supervisor and or colleagues relevant to student’s workplace performance.
• Resources for infection prevention and control, such as:
  • organisational infection prevention and control guidelines
  • personal protective equipment
  • hand hygiene facilities and equipment
  • medical/client care equipment relevant to the workplace
  • clinical and other waste disposal equipment
  • areas for cleaning
  • equipment for cleaning, including sterilised sharps if relevant to role

To complete your course, you will need ongoing access to the following:

• Computer/laptop with relevant software such as, but not limited to, the following:
  • internet access preferably through Google Chrome
  • MS Word and PowerPoint
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader

What are the CHC33021 course units?

This course covers 15 units of competency (9 core units and 6 elective units)

What are the course fees?

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support course is available for only $8,000.00.

Initial deposit of $4,000 followed by 11 scheduled monthly payments of $363.64

Please see Fees and Refunds Policy for more information.

What are the Qualification Pathways?

Learners may also consider additional training to complement their skills in individual support with courses such as:

• CHC43021 Certificate IV in Ageing Support*
• CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support*
• CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services*
• TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment*

^{*These courses are not offered by Optimum Training Academy}

Is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) available?

Optimum Training Academy has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy, to ensure that an individual’s prior learning, achieved through formal and informal training, work experience or other life experiences, is appropriately recognised. This recognition may assist Learners to progress faster through a unit of competency, or allow the student full credit.