INTERNATIONAL

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)

CRICOS Code: 113728J
National Code: CHC33021

2025 2026

Description

Learn to provide physical and emotional support to older people to enhance their independence and wellbeing. The course will introduce you to all aspects of a support worker’s role including assisting with daily activities and personal care.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Example Career Profile

Print Course Page

26 weeks

20 weeks

Aged or Disabilities Carer

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Adelaide City

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

20 hours per week

Full Time

January, July

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 or overseas equivalent .
Students need the physical ability to perform manual handling tasks

Work Placement Duration: 120 hours

In the last 4 weeks of the 2nd term of study, students will undertake 120 hours full time vocational placement. Prior to work placement, international students will be required to apply for and successfully receive a National Police Clearance and the following South Australian Department of Human Services Screenings: working with children, disability, aged and vulnerable persons. Students will also need to show evidence for flu vaccination, including the COVID-19 vaccinations. During the placement students will need to adhere to the placement site uniform, including non-slip waterproof enclosed shoes. More details will be made available after commencement.

Course Notes

During classes and placement students will need to wear the TAFE SA T-shirt and adhere to uniform requirements, including non-slip waterproof enclosed shoes.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Fees

Total course cost

AUD $7640

Incidental Fees^*

AUD $800^*

Total Fees

AUD $8440

* International students will be required to pay for their own screenings, checks, vaccinations, site uniforms and shoes at approximately $A800. For studies on campus students will need to purchase a TAFE SA T-shirt at a cost of $A35 each

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Personal care worker, home care assistant, care worker, in-home respite worker, personal care attendant, care assistant, personal care giver, community care worker, community house worker, residential care worker, community support worker, support worker.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33021)
This course covers independence and wellbeing, communication, working with diverse people, legal and ethical requirements, healthy body systems and safe work practices. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 9 core units and 6 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control	35	HABDR	HLTINF006
Communicate and work in health or community services	30	CABES	CHCCOM005
Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support	120	CACFE	CHCCCS038
Follow safe work practices for direct client care	25	HAAMM	HLTWHS002
Provide individualised support	100	CACFB	CHCCCS031
Recognise healthy body systems	80	CACFG	CHCCCS041
Support independence and wellbeing	80	CACFF	CHCCCS040
Work legally and ethically	55	CABDR	CHCLEG001
Work with diverse people	40	CABDM	CHCDIV001

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Deliver care services using a palliative approach	70	CACFM	CHCPAL003
Provide First Aid	18	HABCP	HLTAID011
Provide support to people living with dementia	80	CACEZ	CHCAGE011
Recognise and report risk of falls	30	CACEY	CHCAGE007
Support relationships with carer and family	70	CACFD	CHCCCS036
Work effectively in aged care	65	CACFA	CHCAGE013

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.