How an Individual Support qualification unlocks career options
If you’re looking to expand your career options in a profession that makes a meaningful difference in people's lives, a qualification in Individual Support could be your key to unlocking the many opportunities available to you in health and social care. In this blog post, we’ll take an in-depth look at (CHC33021) Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability), which is the entry point to become a professional caregiver in aged care or disability support.
This blog post will give you a solid understanding of the main pathways relevant to this qualification (aged care and disability support), the industry demand and growth you can expect, the value of training to become an accredited caregiver, and advice on course enrolment. Ready to discover the benefits?
What’s fuelling industry demand and job growth in this area?
Before we explore the specifics of an Individual Support qualification, let’s look at the background of employment in these areas. You may be aware that Australia is experiencing a major shortage of care workers, which has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, the nation is projected to need another 285,800 workers (minimum) for aged care, disability and mental health support by 2050.
The main reason for this demand is that we have an ageing population which is living longer thanks to modern healthcare. By 2026, more than 22 percent of Australians will be aged over 65 – up from 16 percent in 2020, which was already double the 8.3 percent at the start of the 1970s.
And did you know that disabilities in Australia have increased between 2018 and 2022 for all age groups below 70 years of age? According to Australian Census data, this has been linked to a growing awareness of disability in Australia, a general increase in the frequency of some long-term health conditions, an ageing population, and better self-reporting methods for people with a disability.
So, what does this all mean from a career perspective? Well, it means that the demand for aged care and disability support has never been higher, and has a positive employment outlook for those seeking to join a rewarding profession and experience stability in their career.
It’s worth emphasising that this is a truly dynamic time to work in the field. Between Australia’s ageing population, increases in chronic health conditions and better identification of disabilities, government and health bodies have committed to a greater focus and investment in care systems and the resources needed to support them. They’re in the process of applying learnings from the pandemic situation and considering new initiatives to improve patient care and ensure a sustainable living for care workers who deliver these essential services.
Where can (CHC33021) Certificate III in Individual Support take me?
Whether you’re pursuing your first career, changing careers or returning to work, Certificate III in Individual Support is an excellent path to follow to make a meaningful impact in your community while investing in your future. It’s an opportunity to join Australia’s largest and fastest-growing sector, health and social care, as a qualified professional with long-term job prospects and choices.
This certificate covers the following core skills:
Supporting independence and wellbeing
Communication
Working with diverse people
Legal and ethical work practices
Recognising healthy body systems
Safe work practices for direct client care.
(Source: Victorian Skills Gateway)
It opens doors to many job roles, including:
Residential aged care worker
Home care worker
Disability support worker
Disability support coordinator
Community support worker
Lifestyle coordinator
Real or perceived costs can easily discourage potential students from obtaining a formal qualification. Thankfully, CHC330121 Certificate III in Individual Support is covered by government funding, so check your eligibility for government funding to make your study a far more manageable expense.
It’s worth noting that CHC330121Certificate III in Individual Support is also a necessary stepping-stone to enrolment in (CHC43015) Certificate IV in Ageing Support and (CHC43121) Certificate IV in Disability Support, enabling you to advance in your career and gain increased skills and salary.
What is the difference between aged care and disability support?
Understanding the similarities and differences between aged care and disability as they relate to Certificate III in Individual Support, is important. It helps students choose the most suitable career path and training based on their interests and the specific needs of the population they wish to support within the health and social care sector. Although many skills and responsibilities are shared between aged care and disability, they each involve a different focus in the lives of their clients.
Aged care training and employment is often pursued by people with a special interest in elder care and who are motivated to improve the quality of life of seniors during the highs and lows that accompany this stage of life. Whereas those who choose the path of disability services may express an interest in promoting inclusivity and supporting individuals with diverse abilities to reach their goals and engage with the community.
Both professionals must be compassionate and look to empower patients in maintaining their dignity and independence, plus they may work in group facilities or in-home supported living arrangements. Naturally, disability workers will interact with people of all ages to manage specific physical, intellectual, sensory, or neurological disabilities and functional limitations. In contrast, aged care workers will work exclusively with elderly individuals to manage largely ageing-related challenges.
Of course, when starting a career in caregiving, you may be unsure of what direction best calls to you, and that’s perfectly normal.We’ll touch on this later in the blog, so keep reading!
Why is a qualification important for employment?
If you’ve done any reading on becoming a care worker, you may be aware that aged care and disability support don’t technically require a qualification. While it is possible to secure an entry-level role without being qualified, it is much harder to do, with the vast majority of providers preferring qualified candidates.
And although it may seem like a good idea to enter employment first and effectively ‘try before you buy’ prior to studying, this may not be a wise decision. For starters, your experience as an unqualified employee would be different to that of your qualified peers, and you’d likely have reduced responsibilities and be given more menial tasks. Also keep in mind that you wouldn't get your first pick of employment providers, and may need to settle for a work environment that is less favourable. Fortunately, a practical placement is embedded in the CHC3030121 Certificate III in Individual Support, where you’ll gain valuable workplace experience during your training and be assisted in your study-to-work transition.
You might be wondering: how many workers actually hold an Individual Support qualification (or higher)? According to 2020 Census data in the context of the aged care workforce, it was reported that in residential aged care, 66 percent of personal care workers hold a Certificate III or higher in a relevant direct care field with a further two percent studying at the time. And in their mission to support a capable disability workforce, the government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is evaluating how to encourage more formal education and recognised qualifications among workers.
In summary, you can go further with an Individual Support qualification and gain a competitive advantage within the industry. A reputable training provider will help you determine whether your personality and goals are aligned to caregiving and decrease the likelihood of you not enjoying the subject matter and withdrawing from the course.
Which individual support course is right for me?
A staple in vocational education, there are numerous CHC330121 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) offered by training providers across Australia. However, not all Individual Support courses are created equal.
According to a report by the Department of Social Services examining disability workers’ preparedness for the workforce, only 31 percent of disability workers strongly agreed that their skills were well matched to the work they are asked to do. At Nepean Industry Edge Training (NIET), we believe that a strong focus must be given to understanding the topics of caregiving, and must be combined with practical, industry-informed activities that mimic real and current workplace scenarios and practices. Only then can we ensure that students are prepared for virtually everything they may face during their professional employment.
Earlier in this post, you may recall us reassuring you that it’s perfectly normal to be unsure of which career path you want to pursue when enrolling in CHC330121 Certificate III in Individual Support. Despite how common this situation is, you’ll find that most providers ask students to choose between the aged care and disability support options at the beginning of their study. The problem with this is that students haven’t yet been exposed to the training environment or generally had any workplace experience, meaning they often haven’t formed a strong opinion of whether they prefer an aged care or disability setting.
At NIET, we understand making informed choices is important and that students want maximum value from their training. Our CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) covers learning content for both sectors. Upon course completion, you will be qualified and prepared for two possible pathways; aged care and disability. Our current and past students tell us how much they appreciate the flexibility of undertaking study and deciding later on whether an aged care or disability support setting would be a better fit for them.
NIET’s CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) teaches students how to follow individualised care and support plans for the elderly and people with disabilities across community, respite and residential settings. This course also prepares students to provide quality care and support for older adults and people with disabilities, with a focus on legal and ethical responsibilities and person-centred care. NIET aims to train caregivers who can make a meaningful difference in their client’s daily life.
If you’re passionate about helping people and dedicated to supporting their wellbeing, there is no better foundational training than (CHC33021) Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) to broaden your career horizons and equip you with the tools to succeed.
