The Certificate III in Individual Support is a nationally recognised, government-funded qualification available to eligible Queensland students through the Career Start program. It takes 52 weeks to complete, includes 120 hours of practical placement, and opens doors to roles like Personal Care Assistant, Assistant in Nursing, and more, with no prior qualifications required.
Caring for others is more than a job it’s a skill set that Queensland communities genuinely need. Demand for individual support workers continues to grow as Australia’s population ages, and the government is funding training to meet it. If you’re considering a career in aged care, disability support, or community services, the individual support course in Queensland could be your most affordable first step.
What Is the Certificate III in Individual Support?
The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support course is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares students for a career in front line care. During the course you will learn fundamental abilities such as assisting clients with activities of daily living, following safe work practices, and communicating effectively with clients and their families.
The course is delivered in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan-Beaudesert, and Cairns. It runs for 52 weeks and is offered in both face-to-face and blended learning formats, so you can choose between face-to-face delivery and a combination of online and classroom study.
What Does the Course Include?
Practical Placement Hours
Theory alone doesn’t prepare you for real-world care. That’s why the individual support worker course includes 120 hours of supervised work placement in either a residential care or community care setting. This hands-on experience is built into the program so you graduate job-ready.
Before starting placement, students must hold a current National Police Check and a Working with Children Check. Both are standard requirements across the care sector and straightforward to obtain.
Entry Requirements
There are no academic entry requirements for this course. All new students complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment and a Pre-Training Review to identify the right level of support and confirm the course is a good fit.
Is the Course Government Funded?
Yes, eligible students can access this government-funded individual support course at no cost through the Career Start (General Training) program, managed by Queensland’s Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET) and funded for 2025–2028.
To qualify, you must:
- Be 15 years or older and not currently enrolled as a school student
- Permanently reside in Queensland
- Hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or an eligible temporary visa on the pathway to permanent residency (New Zealand citizens also qualify)
- Not hold a Certificate III or higher completed within the last 10 years
- Not be enrolled in another qualification (even if deferred)
Students who don’t meet funding criteria can still enroll. The full fee for the course is $3,000.
Where Does This Course Take You?
Completing the Certificate III in Individual Support opens doors to roles including:
- Personal Care Assistant
- Assistant in Nursing
- Accommodation Support Worker
- In-Home Respite Worker
It also serves as a study option into higher qualifications, including:
- CHC43015 – Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43121 – Certificate IV in Disability Support
- CHC43215 – Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs
- CHC43315 – Certificate IV in Mental Health
Start Your Career in Care
Thanks to Career Start funding, Queensland students can now undertake the individual support course, removing one of the biggest barriers to entering the care sector: cost. Designed to get you working fast, with no entry requirements, multiple delivery locations and real workplace experience built in.
Discover if you’re eligible for the Career Start program today and start your journey to a rewarding career in community care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Certificate III in Individual Support course?
The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is a nationally recognised qualification that trains students for care roles in aged care, disability support, and community services. It takes 52 weeks to complete and includes 120 hours of practical work placement.
Is the Certificate III in Individual Support Government Funded in Queensland?
The Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) is not free for everyone. However, AET offers this course with Queensland Government funding for eligible students through the Career Start program, which can significantly reduce the cost of training.
Eligible students may pay a small co-contribution fee, while some apprentices and trainees under 25 may be able to access fee-free training, depending on their eligibility.
What are the entry requirements for the individual support worker course?
The entry requirements are not academic. Before starting, all students complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy assessment and a Pre-Training Review. A National Police Check and Working with Children Check are required before commencing work placement.
Where is the Certificate III in Individual Support delivered in Queensland?
AET delivers the Certificate III in Individual Support across selected locations in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan-Beaudesert, and Cairns. Depending on the location and course intake, students may have access to face-to-face or blended learning options.
What jobs can I get after completing the individual support course?
Graduates may work as Personal Care Assistants, Assistants in Nursing, Accommodation Support Workers and In-Home Respite Workers. You can also do Certificate IV level studies in Ageing Support, Disability Support, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs with the qualification. .