Start Your Career in Aged Care and Disability Support
CHC33021 – Certificate III in Individual Support — Aged Care & Disability Course in Sydney for International Students
Nationally Recognised Training
- Intakes : Monthly
- Specialist Stream : Ageing and Disability
- Delivery : Face-to-face on campus in Burwood, Sydney
- Qualification : Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
Study face-to-face at NTA’s Burwood campus in Sydney over 36 weeks, learn from experienced trainers including Registered Nurses, and complete 120 hours of work placement in an aged care or disability services organisation.
36 weeks
120 Hours Work Placement
15 Units
AQF 3 Certificate III
Burwood Sydney NSW
$6,500 AUD
AQF Level 3
ASQA Registered
CRICOS Course Code : 115042A
CRICOS Provider Code : 03575C
Course Outline
CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support prepares you for work in community, home and residential care settings. You work under supervision and delegation as part of a multi-disciplinary team, following an individualised plan to provide person-centred support to people who need assistance because of ageing, disability or another reason. You take responsibility for your own work within your job role, and you build the factual, technical and procedural knowledge that person-centred support requires. At NTA this qualification is packaged as the Ageing and Disability specialisation, so you develop practical skills relevant to supporting people across aged care and disability services.
The skills in this qualification must be applied in accordance with the appropriate Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
NTA delivers CHC33021 face-to-face at its Burwood campus in Sydney over 36 weeks. You study in an interactive classroom, practise in a purpose-built simulation environment, and complete at least 120 hours of work placement in an aged care or disability services organisation. You complete 15 units of competency — 9 core units and 6 electives packaged as the Ageing and Disability specialisation. You learn from experienced trainers, including Registered Nurses with relevant industry experience.
Delivered by Care Plus Training Pty Ltd trading as Nurse Training Australia, RTO ID 41009. CRICOS Provider Code 03575C. CRICOS Course Code 115042A.
Wish to Enrol in a Course
Entry Requirements
- You must be 18 years of age or above at the time your course starts.
- You complete a short review with us to ascertain your suitability for the course and to arrange any language, literacy and numeracy support you may need.
- You must have completed school education equivalent to Australian Year 12 (the HSC in New South Wales), or hold another relevant qualification.
- You must have Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or an approved equivalent — an Upper Intermediate or EAP outcome from an approved ELICOS or ESL centre, or evidence of completing a VET course at Certificate IV level or higher in Australia. If you hold a different English test result, contact us before you apply and we will confirm whether it meets NTA’s requirements.
- You must meet student visa, genuine student and international admission requirements.
- Before your work placement you must hold a Working with Children Check, a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check, and a National Police Check issued within the last three years. Host organisations may also set their own immunisation and induction requirements.
Target Students
This course suits international students who want to work in residential aged care, home and community care, disability support services, NDIS-funded services, respite services, retirement villages or supported independent living, and who want a face-to-face qualification in Sydney with real workplace experience built in.
NTA graduates normally seek employment in the following roles:
- Aged Care Worker
- Disability Support Worker
- Personal Care Worker
- Individual Support Worker
- Community Care Worker
- Residential Care Worker
Employment outcomes depend on successful completion of the qualification, employer requirements, student visa conditions and individual suitability. NTA does not guarantee employment, a salary outcome, or any visa or migration outcome.
Course Duration
NTA delivers CHC33021 over 36 weeks for international students, including scheduled holiday breaks and your 120 hours of work placement.
36 weeks is NTA’s registered course duration. It is not a guaranteed completion time — your actual completion date depends on your progression through the units, your assessment outcomes and the scheduling of your work placement.
The weekly class schedule is as follows:
| Activity | Mode |
|---|---|
| Classroom learning, practice and assessment | Face-to-face, NTA Burwood campus |
| Structured self-directed learning | Set activities and resources in Open Learning, completed in your own time |
| Self-directed study, reading and assessment preparation | Your own time |
| Work placement | Host organisation, during placement blocks |
Alongside your scheduled classes you should allow time each week for self-directed study, reading and assessment preparation. Attendance is monitored in line with NTA’s Attendance and Course Progress policies and your student visa conditions, and NTA will contact you early if you fall behind so support can be put in place.
To achieve this qualification you must complete at least 120 hours of work placement in an aged care or disability services organisation, as detailed in the assessment requirements of the units of competency. NTA coordinates your placement through its network of host organisations. Placement is arranged subject to your readiness — you must have completed the required pre-placement units and hold all mandatory clearances — and subject to host organisation requirements and placement availability. Host organisations set their own screening, immunisation and induction requirements and may decline a placement. Placement dates and locations are allocated by NTA and cannot be guaranteed for a particular site, shift pattern or suburb.
NTA runs monthly intakes for international students. Your start date is confirmed in your Letter of Offer and on your Confirmation of Enrolment.
Course Location
This course is delivered at the following location:
Nurse Training Australia
Suite 106–108, 3 Railway Parade, Burwood NSW 2134
RTO ID 41009 | CRICOS Provider Code 03575C | CRICOS Course Code 115042A
Burwood is an inner-west Sydney suburb about 20 minutes by train from the city centre. The campus is a short walk from Burwood station, which is served by the T1, T2 and T3 lines and by buses from across the inner west and south-west. Shops, supermarkets, cafes and student accommodation options are all close by, and the whole course is taught on campus so you attend one location for classes, simulation and assessment.
Course Delivery and Assessment
Course Delivery
This course is delivered in English. You learn from experienced trainers, including Registered Nurses with relevant industry experience, who teach across your online classes, the simulation environment and your assessments.
- Face-to-face classroom: theory, discussion and skills practice in an interactive classroom at Burwood.
- Simulation training: hands-on practice in a purpose-built simulation environment so you are confident before you go on placement.
- Structured self-directed learning: set readings, workbook tasks, case studies and practice activities provided through Open Learning and mapped to your units, which you complete in your own time between classes.
- Work placement: 120 hours in an aged care or disability services organisation, where you apply what you have learned in a real Australian workplace.
Course Assessment
As this is a nationally recognised qualification, you must successfully complete all 15 units to meet the requirements. Each unit contains assessments which include:
- Assessment method 1: Knowledge-based assessments
- Assessment method 2: Projects and case studies
- Assessment method 3: Practical demonstrations in a simulated environment
- Assessment method 4: Demonstration of skills in the workplace during your placement
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers
You may already have developed a number of relevant skills through previous employment, life experience or formal study. If this is the case, you are encouraged to enquire about Recognition of Prior Learning, which may shorten your course. If you have already completed units of competency with another registered training organisation, you can apply for Credit Transfer instead. Each application is assessed on its own merits, and you will need to provide suitable evidence before a decision is made.
Where Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer changes your course duration, NTA will manage your enrolment and Confirmation of Enrolment in line with ESOS, National Code and PRISMS requirements.
Study Units and Qualification
You will need to complete the following to meet the requirements of the qualification:
- Ageing and Disability specialisation — 9 core units and 6 elective units (15 units in total)
The details of the core and elective units are set out in the table below.
| Unit Code | Unit Code Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| CHCCCS031 | Provide individualised support | C |
| CHCCCS038 | Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support | C |
| CHCCCS040 | Support independence and wellbeing | C |
| CHCCCS041 | Recognise healthy body systems | C |
| CHCCOM005 | Communicate and work in health or community services | C |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | C |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically | C |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | C |
| HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care | C |
| CHCAGE011 | Provide support to people living with dementia | E |
| CHCAGE013 | Work effectively in aged care | E |
| CHCPAL003 | Deliver care services using a palliative approach | E |
| CHCDIS011 | Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach | E |
| CHCDIS012 | Support community participation and social inclusion | E |
| CHCDIS020 | Work effectively in disability support | E |
C = Core; E = Elective
Educational Pathways
After achieving CHC33021 you have a number of pathway options. Some of them include:
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support with NTA
- CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support with NTA
- CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health with NTA
- CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) with NTA
- A Bachelor of Nursing or a related degree with a higher education provider, subject to that provider’s entry requirements
Course Fees & Funding
| Fee item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $5,800 |
| Application fee | $700 |
| Total course cost | $6,500 |
- Fees shown are current as at August 2026 and are subject to change.
- Fees are shown in Australian dollars. Accepted payment methods, payment terms, instalment arrangements and any associated charges are set out in your International Student Written Agreement and Fees and Refunds Policy, which are provided to you in writing before your enrolment is confirmed and before any fees are accepted.
- You must read and accept NTA’s International Student Written Agreement, which is your written agreement under the ESOS framework, before your enrolment is confirmed and before any fees are accepted.
- If Recognition of Prior Learning or Credit Transfer is granted, your fees and course duration are adjusted, and NTA manages your Confirmation of Enrolment in line with ESOS, National Code and PRISMS requirements before you accept the revised amount.
Additional costs
The total course cost above covers tuition and your application fee. The following costs are additional and are not included. Current amounts for each item are set out in NTA’s Schedule of Fees and Charges, which is provided to you in writing before your enrolment is confirmed and before any fees are accepted.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the length of your student visa
- Student visa application costs
- A device and reliable internet access for study and assessment
- Printing, stationery and personal study materials
- Uniform and enclosed non-slip footwear for simulation and placement
- Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check and National Police Check
- Immunisation and vaccination evidence required by host organisations
- Re-assessment fees, replacement certificate fees and late payment fees where they apply
FAQs
How long is CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support for international students?
NTA delivers CHC33021 over 36 weeks for international students, including scheduled breaks and 120 hours of work placement. That is the registered course duration, not a guaranteed completion time — your actual finish date depends on your progression, your assessment outcomes and when your placement is scheduled.
How much does the course cost for international students?
The total course cost is $6,500 AUD, made up of a $5,800 tuition fee and a $700 application fee. Fees are current as at August 2026 and are subject to change. Overseas Student Health Cover, visa costs, uniform and placement screening checks are additional and are listed in NTA’s Schedule of Fees and Charges.
What are the English language requirements?
You need Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or an approved equivalent such as an Upper Intermediate or EAP outcome from an approved ELICOS or ESL centre, or evidence of completing a VET course at Certificate IV level or higher in Australia. You must also meet student visa, genuine student and international admission requirements.
Do I have to do work placement, and how is it arranged?
Yes. You must complete at least 120 hours of work placement in an aged care or disability services organisation. NTA coordinates placement through its network of host organisations, subject to your readiness, host requirements and availability. You will need a Working with Children Check, an NDIS Worker Screening Check and a National Police Check before you start.
Is the course delivered on campus or online?
The course is delivered face-to-face at NTA’s Burwood campus in Sydney, with Open Learning used to support your scheduled study. Attendance is monitored in line with NTA’s policies and your student visa conditions.
What does the Ageing and Disability specialisation mean?
CHC33021 allows electives to be packaged into a specialisation. NTA delivers all three Group A (Ageing) electives and all three Group B (Disability) electives, so you are awarded the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) and develop practical skills relevant to supporting people across aged care and disability services.
What jobs can I apply for after this qualification?
Graduates commonly seek roles such as Aged Care Worker, Disability Support Worker, Personal Care Worker, Individual Support Worker, Community Care Worker and Residential Care Worker. Employment outcomes depend on successful completion, employer requirements, student visa conditions and individual suitability. NTA does not guarantee employment, a salary outcome, or any visa or migration outcome.