Certificate III Community Services Courses

A Certificate III is a nationally recognised AQF Level 3 entry-level qualification that prepares you for support work in the community services sector. At Upskilled, our Certificate III CHC qualifications cover two streams: Community Services (CHC32015) for broader community-facing support roles, and Individual Support (CHC33021) with specialisations in Ageing, Disability, or both.

The Certificate III in Community Services (CHC32015) is broader, preparing you for general community-facing support, intake, advocacy and early-intervention roles. The Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) is more focused, training you to provide personal care and support to clients in aged care, disability services or both. The right choice depends on where you want to work.

All three share the same code (CHC33021) and AQF level. The Ageing stream focuses on supporting older Australians in aged care settings. The Disability stream focuses on supporting people living with disability. The Ageing and Disability stream gives you both specialisations, opening the broadest range of roles across the sector. Most students choose the dual stream because employers often need staff who can work across both areas.

Cert III graduates step into entry-level roles such as Aged Care Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Disability Support Worker, Home Care Worker, Community Support Worker, and Residential Care Worker. Salaries typically range from $58,000 to $75,000 according to SEEK and Jobs and Skills Australia, with the sector projecting strong employment growth over the next five years.

Yes. All Certificate III CHC qualifications require supervised work placement hours in a relevant community services or care setting. Upskilled provides work placement support to help you secure a suitable host organisation if you are not already working in the sector.

Yes. A Cert III is the natural starting point for the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215), Dual Cert IV in AOD and Mental Health, and ultimately the Diploma of Community Services (CHC52025). Speak to an Education Consultant about credit transfer for units you have already completed.