Certificate III in Individual Support — Brisbane

Brisbane and the broader South East Queensland region have one of the strongest growth trajectories for aged care and disability support employment in Australia. Queensland's ageing population, combined with continued NDIS expansion across Greater Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast corridor, is generating sustained demand for qualified individual support workers across residential, community, and in-home care settings.

Study options for Brisbane students

Most Brisbane students complete the Certificate III in Individual Support online, which opens up the full national range of providers rather than limiting options to those with a local campus. Online study is particularly practical for students juggling shift work, family commitments, or who live outside the inner Brisbane area. The mandatory 120 hours of work placement is arranged locally — Brisbane and the surrounding regions have a high density of aged care facilities and NDIS providers, making placement coordination generally straightforward.

If you prefer face-to-face learning, several providers offer on-campus and blended delivery in Brisbane, with campuses in areas including Bowen Hills, Mount Gravatt, and across the broader metro area.

Queensland government funding — Career Boost

Queensland students may be eligible for subsidised training under the Queensland government's Career Start and/or Career Boost programs.

To be eligible you must:

• Be aged 15 or older and no longer at school
• Permanently live in Queensland
• Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident, or hold an eligible temporary resident visa
• Not hold a Certificate IV or higher qualification completed within the last 10 years
• Not currently be enrolled in another qualification (even if deferred)

For eligible students, these programs can significantly reduce the cost of a Certificate III in Individual Support. Use the eligibility checker or speak to a free Coursely advisor to confirm your eligibility before committing to a provider.

What does the Certificate III in Individual Support qualify you for in Brisbane?

Graduates are qualified to work as aged care workers, disability support workers, personal care assistants, and in-home carers. Brisbane and South East Queensland offer a broad range of employers across both the NDIS and residential aged care sectors. The qualification is nationally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, meaning it is valid with any employer anywhere in Australia.

The Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) is Australia's nationally recognised entry-level qualification for working in aged care and disability support. It is the standard pathway for domestic students who want to start a career as a support worker, personal care worker, or community care worker. The qualification is recognised by employers and regulators across every state and territory.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary between registered training providers, but students typically need to:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have completed Year 10 or equivalent
• Have no prior qualifications or experience in care — this is an entry-level course

Some providers may have additional requirements around language, literacy, and numeracy. A Coursely Course Advisor can confirm exact eligibility when you speak with them.

Checks and vaccinations required before placement

Before starting your mandatory 120-hour workplace placement — and before working with clients — you will need to obtain certain checks and meet health requirements. These typically include:

• National Police Check — required by virtually all employers
• NDIS Worker Screening Check — mandatory for work with NDIS participants
• Working with Children Check — required when supporting clients under 18; known as a Blue Card in Queensland, a WWCC in Victoria and NSW, and equivalent checks in other states and territories
• Immunisations — annual flu vaccination is a legal requirement for aged care workers under the Aged Care Act; many employers also require COVID-19 and hepatitis B vaccination

See our full guide: What checks and requirements do you need to work in aged or disability care?

Further study and career pathways

After completing your Certificate III, you can progress to higher-level qualifications:

• Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015) — for those specialising in aged care
• Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43121) — for those specialising in disability support
• Diploma of Community Services (CHC52021) — for those moving into coordination or management roles

Students who have completed the Certificate III are typically eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) when enrolling in higher-level qualifications, which can reduce both study time and cost.