Did you know that a disability is not always obvious or recognisable? Did you know that a disability can be physical, sensory, psychosocial, neurological, cognitive or intellectual and that a person can have more than one disability?

If you have a caring and compassionate nature and enjoy working in diverse settings, then this career is one you should consider.

You’ll learn how to provide high-quality, person-centred support to people who have a range of disabilities, whilst promoting wellbeing and client independence. To thrive in this sector, you’ll need attributes such as empathy, effective communication skills, problem-solving capabilities, as well as an awareness and respect for cultural diversity.

To be awarded this qualification, you must successfully complete 15 units of competency, 9 core units and 6 elective units.  The electives for this course have been selected by Partners in Training Australia through industry consultation.

Core units

  • 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
  • HTLWHS002 Maintain work health and safety

Elective units

  • CHCCCS001 Address the needs of people with chronic disease
  • CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
  • CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
  • CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
  • CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
  • CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support

Entry Requirements

  • There are no mandatory prerequisites to enrol in this qualification.
  • Physical attributes suitable for workplace experience within the disability care industry which encompasses manual handling of equipment and clients.
  • Applicants must attend a course information session and then to determine suitability, complete a:
    • Pre-training Review (PTR)
    • Language, Literacy and Numeracy and Digital skills assessment (LLND)

Class Attendance

  • Students must attend one class per week, choosing between:
    • Online (virtual classroom), or
    • Face-to-face (onsite classroom).
  • Students must attend some on-site skills lab/lessons.

Class Times:

  • Day classes: 9:00AM – 4:00PM (7 hours).
  • Evening classes (online only): 5:00PM – 9:00PM (4 hours).
  • Additional time is required each week for private study, research, and completing assessments outside of scheduled class hours.

Technology Requirements

  • You will need access to:
    • A computer, laptop, or tablet with a stable internet connection.
    • Zoom application, headphones/speakers, microphone & webcam capabilities for virtual classes.
    • An laptop or tablet  for onsite classroom session to access your course materials and assessments via our online Learning Management System (LMS).

Work Placement

  • This course includes a minimum of 120 hours of work placement in a relevant community/disability care setting.
  • Before starting placement, you must obtain a current and satisfactory Police Check, Working with Children Check, NDIS Work Screening Check, evidence of influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination (unless an exception applies).
  • Technology for Placement
    • Placement assessments are completed online via Cloud Assess
    • You will need to take a suitable device (phone, tablet or laptop) to placement
    • If using a mobile device, you’ll need to download the Cloud Assess app
    • Where a workplace restricts device use, you can:
        • request access to a workplace computer; or take notes on paper and transfer them to Cloud Assess outside of placement hours

Skills First funded course fees apply to eligible students who study this course online and live in a regional location. Please refer to our Postcode List on our student information page to confirm regional eligibility.

If you are interested in studying at one of our regional locations, please request the classroom-based course information sheet. Government-funded fees apply to classroom-based study regardless of your residential location.

*Aboriginal and/or Torres Straight Islanders pay the course Administration Fee but do not pay any Tuition fee.

* There are no materials fees when you study with us.

*Download Our Course Info Sheet– a comprehensive course brochure includes everything from course content to payment plans, refund policies, and fees for students not eligible for government funding. Its your first step toward flexible, affordable, and career-focused training.

*To check your eligibility for Skills First Funding click here

Potential Study Pathways
Graduates of this qualification may pursue further study in the following courses:

  • CHC43121 Certificate IV in Disability Support
  • CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
  • CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

Employment Opportunities
Graduates may seek employment within the community services and disability setting in occupational titles such as Disability Support Worker, NDIS Support Worker/NDIS Support Carer, In Home Respite Worker, Personal Care Assistant/Personal Care Worker and Community Care Worker.

Employment Outlook
In Victoria, employment growth for Aged and Disabled Carers has been very strong over the past five years. Nationally, this occupation has the largest projected employment growth, with workforce numbers expected to increase from 266,900 in 2021 to 341,800 by 2026.

Partners in Training are leading specialist trainers for the Health & Community Services sector throughout Regional Victoria as well as providing training services to students in Metropolitan Melbourne.

Our focus is on working in partnership with our students and clients to provide access to study options for those that cannot attend traditionally structured TAFE classrooms, have a busy work life or family commitments. Our delivery options support the individual to access government subsidised training through our Nationally Recognised Training, that ensure that the cost of our courses is more affordable than most providers and practical for students to complete.

PTA pride ourselves on having strong working relationships with local industry, providing opportunities for Work placement as well as informed and customised training models for their staff and job opportunities for our graduates.  Our team of dedicated, experienced and industry relevant trainers and assessors.  All our trainers work in or with industry to meeting industry expectations, ensure up to date currency and relevancy.

Come and see how we do things differently and let us be your ‘partner in training’!

As part of the application of enrolment process, we ask you to attend an Information/ Enrolment Session that will involve a written Pre-Training Review with an Enrolment Officer who will be available to support you through the process. Our pre-training review is designed to make sure the course is the most suitable and appropriate training option for you.

Information/Enrolments sessions are held at each of our campuses and via Zoom, which makes it easy for you to attend.

We look forward to discussing this course and the study options with you, then arranging an information session for you to attend.

Course Dates

19 May

Wangaratta

20 May

Virtual Classroom

26 May

Gisborne

01 Jun

Foster

02 Jun

Virtual Classroom

03 Jun

Bendigo

03 Jun

Shepparton Campus

03 Jun

Sale Campus

12 Jun

Echuca

12 Jun

Wodonga

15 Jun

Warragul

18 Jun

Hamlyn Heights

19 Jun

Shepparton Campus

23 Jun

Sale Campus

13 Jul

Sale Campus

14 Jul

Virtual Classroom

15 Jul

Morwell Campus

16 Jul

Bairnsdale

20 Jul

Virtual Classroom

27 Jul

Sebastopol

27 Jul

Traralgon

28 Jul

Maryborough

29 Jul

Shepparton Campus

06 Aug

Wonthaggi

06 Aug

Virtual Classroom

27 Aug

Shepparton Campus

Delivery Location Start Date Class Day Time of Classes Duration of Training Course ID Click Apply Now to Get Started
Wangaratta 19th May 2026 Tuesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026#69 Apply Now
Virtual Classroom 20th May 2026 Wednesday 5pm - 9pm 14 months CLD2026ST#98 Apply Now
Gisborne 26th May 2026 Tuesday 9am - 4pm 10 months STH2026CA#24 Apply Now
Foster 1st Jun 2026 Monday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026#40 Apply Now
Virtual Classroom 2nd Jun 2026 Tuesday 9am - 4pm 10 months CLD2026SA#103 Apply Now
Bendigo 3rd Jun 2026 Wednesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#71 Apply Now
Shepparton Campus 3rd Jun 2026 Wednesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#85 Apply Now
Sale Campus 3rd Jun 2026 Wednesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026#31 Apply Now
Echuca 12th Jun 2026 Friday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#76 Apply Now
Wodonga 12th Jun 2026 Friday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#77 Apply Now
Warragul 15th Jun 2026 Monday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026CA#68 Apply Now
Hamlyn Heights 18th Jun 2026 Thursday 9.30am - 4.30pm 10 months STH2026CA#32 Apply Now
Shepparton Campus 19th Jun 2026 Friday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#42 Apply Now
Sale Campus 23rd Jun 2026 Tuesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026CA#65 Apply Now
Sale Campus 13th Jul 2026 Monday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026CA#20 Apply Now
Virtual Classroom 14th Jul 2026 Monday 5pm - 9pm 14 months CLD2026ST#116 Apply Now
Morwell Campus 15th Jul 2026 Wednesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026#57 Apply Now
Bairnsdale 16th Jul 2026 Thursday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026CA#25 Apply Now
Virtual Classroom 20th Jul 2026 Monday 5pm - 9pm 14 Months CLD2026SA#92 Apply Now
Sebastopol 27th Jul 2026 Monday 9.30am - 4.30pm 10 months STH2025CA#14 Apply Now
Traralgon 27th Jul 2026 Monday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026#36 Apply Now
Maryborough 28th Jul 2026 Tuesday 9.30am - 4.30pm 10 months STH2026CA#26 Apply Now
Shepparton Campus 29th Jul 2026 Wednesday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#86 Apply Now
Wonthaggi 6th Aug 2026 Thursday 9am - 4pm 10 months SAL2026CA#74 Apply Now
Virtual Classroom 6th Aug 2026 Thursday 9.30am - 4.30pm 10 months CLD2026ST#73 Apply Now
Shepparton Campus 27th Aug 2026 Thursday 9am - 4pm 10 months SHE2026CA#24 Apply Now

If you do not see a date or location which interests you, please Enquire Now to register your interest in studying this course, and we will contact you.

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