The short answer
Do the Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021). Coursely strongly recommends it to anyone starting out in aged care or disability work, and we strongly discourage most students from going on to a Certificate IV.
Here's why:
- The Cert III is what employers ask for. It's the standard qualification for aged care and disability support worker roles.
- The Cert IV doesn't add enough. In our view, it doesn't add enough value to justify the time and cost. We haven't seen evidence that employers favour it when hiring, or that it leads to noticeably higher pay.
- Experience counts for more. A year or two of hands-on work will generally do more for your career than a higher certificate.
One tip when you enrol in the Cert III: choose the Ageing and Disability specialisation if you can. It keeps the most job options open. The Certificate IV in Disability Support requires a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), or an older equivalent. Ageing and Disability includes those disability units. Ageing on its own does not, so it does not meet that entry requirement.
This guide is based on the official national training package documents for each qualification.
Compare Certificate III courses →What's the difference between the Cert III and the Cert IV?
The official qualification descriptions draw the line at independence. The Cert III describes workers who work under supervision and delegation, following an individualised plan. Both Cert IVs describe workers who take more responsibility for planning and delivering support, and who may have limited leadership duties.
| Cert III in Individual Support (CHC33021) | Cert IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) | Cert IV in Disability Support (CHC43121) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | AQF 3 | AQF 4 | AQF 4 |
| Total units | 15 (9 core, 6 elective) | 18 (15 core, 3 elective) | 10 (7 core, 3 elective) |
| Entry requirements | None | None | Cert III in Individual Support (Disability), or an older equivalent |
| Minimum work hours | 120 hours | 120 hours | Not set in the qualification |
| How the role is described | Works under supervision and delegation as part of a team | Responsible for own outputs; may have limited leadership responsibility | Works without direct supervision; may supervise or coordinate a small team |
"None" means the national qualification sets no entry requirement. A provider can still ask for its own checks, such as a language and literacy assessment.
The Certificate IV in Disability Support entry rule is completion of CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), or CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), or CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability plus the CHCSS00125 skill set. Work placement hours are not set on the qualification itself. Individual providers often require their own.
Core units for each qualification
As you read through the three lists below, you'll notice how similar many of the units sound: supporting independence, empowering the people you support, person-centred practice, and working legally and ethically. That similarity is a big part of why we don't think the Cert IV makes a strong case for itself.
Cert III in Individual Support (CHC33021): 9 core units
| Code | Core unit |
|---|---|
| CHCCCS031 | Provide individualised support |
| CHCCCS038 | Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support |
| CHCCCS040 | Support independence and wellbeing |
| CHCCCS041 | Recognise healthy body systems |
| CHCCOM005 | Communicate and work in health or community services |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCLEG001 | Work legally and ethically |
| HLTINF006 | Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control |
| HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Cert IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015): 15 core units
| Code | Core unit |
|---|---|
| CHCADV001 | Facilitate the interests and rights of clients |
| CHCAGE001 | Facilitate the empowerment of older people |
| CHCAGE003 | Coordinate services for older people |
| CHCAGE004 | Implement interventions with older people at risk |
| CHCAGE005 | Provide support to people living with dementia |
| CHCCCS006 | Facilitate individual service planning and delivery |
| CHCCCS011 | Meet personal support needs |
| CHCCCS023 | Support independence and wellbeing |
| CHCCCS025 | Support relationships with carers and families |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| CHCPAL001 | Deliver care services using a palliative approach |
| CHCPRP001 | Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships |
| HLTAAP001 | Recognise healthy body systems |
| HLTWHS002 | Follow safe work practices for direct client care |
Cert IV in Disability Support (CHC43121): 7 core units
| Code | Core unit |
|---|---|
| CHCCCS044 | Follow established person-centred behaviour supports |
| CHCDIS017 | Facilitate community participation and social inclusion |
| CHCDIS018 | Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach |
| CHCDIS019 | Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance |
| CHCMHS001 | Work with people with mental health issues |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety |
On top of these, the Cert III adds 6 electives and each Cert IV adds 3. The full list of units, including electives, is on training.gov.au:
- CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
- CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
Where can I go after the Cert IV?
The Cert IV is currently the highest qualification in the ageing and disability support stream. There's no current Diploma of Ageing Support or Diploma of Disability Support, so your next step depends on the direction you want your career to take.
| Direction | Qualification | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Case management and coordination | CHC52025 Diploma of Community Services | Case managers, NDIS support coordinators, program coordinators |
| Management | BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management | Team leaders moving into service or site manager roles |
| Clinical care, especially aged care | HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse) | Aged care workers who want a nursing career |
| Mental health | CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health | Workers supporting people with psychosocial disability |
| Counselling | CHC51015 Diploma of Counselling | Workers drawn to emotional and wellbeing support. Little Cert III or Cert IV content carries across, so treat it as a new direction |
About the Diploma of Community Services
The Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025) replaced CHC52021. It has no entry requirements, 20 units (12 core, 8 elective) and a minimum of 100 hours of work placement, though individual providers may set more.
| Code | Core unit | Also a core unit in |
|---|---|---|
| CHCCCS004 | Assess co-existing needs | — |
| CHCCCS007 | Develop and implement service programs | — |
| CHCCCS019 | Recognise and respond to crisis situations | — |
| CHCCSM017 | Facilitate and review case management | — |
| CHCDEV005 | Analyse impacts of sociological factors on people in community work and services | — |
| CHCDFV001 | Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence | — |
| CHCDIV001 | Work with diverse people | Cert III, Cert IV Ageing |
| CHCDIV002 | Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | — |
| CHCLEG003 | Manage legal and ethical compliance | Cert IV Ageing, Cert IV Disability |
| CHCMGT005 | Facilitate workplace debriefing and support processes | — |
| CHCPRP003 | Reflect on and improve own professional practice | — |
| HLTWHS003 | Maintain work health and safety | Cert IV Disability |
The 8 electives can form a specialisation in Case Management, Social Housing, Child, Youth and Family Welfare, or Responding to Family Violence. See the full list on training.gov.au.
Is it a good fit for disability or aged care?
- Disability: a reasonable fit. The core is general community services work, but case management is directly relevant to NDIS support coordination. The general electives also include several disability units, such as CHCDIS016 Develop and promote positive person-centred behaviour supports and CHCDIS019 Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs.
- Aged care: a weak fit. None of the core or elective units are specific to older people, and its specialisations point towards housing, child welfare and family violence. Aged care workers wanting to progress are generally better served by the Diploma of Nursing or the Diploma of Leadership and Management.
University pathways
- Aged care: the Diploma of Nursing leads into a Bachelor of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse. Most universities give credit for the diploma.
- Disability and community services: the Diploma of Community Services can lead into a Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Community Services.
- Specialist disability roles: roles such as behaviour support practitioner, occupational therapist or psychologist generally require a university degree.
Credit from vocational qualifications varies by university, so check with the institution before you enrol.
Not sure where to start?
Coursely compares accredited Cert III in Individual Support courses from providers across Australia, including government-subsidised options. Take our 2-minute course quiz to see courses that match your location and study preferences, or speak to a free Coursely advisor about getting started with the Cert III.
Sources: national training package documents for CHC33021 (Release 1), CHC43015 (Release 4), CHC43121 (Release 1) and CHC52025 (Release 1), published on training.gov.au.