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Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.
International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Certificate IV in Disability Traineeship

Free TAFE Code: CHC43115

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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Overview

Duration

12 months full time / 24 months part time

Next Intake

Ongoing

This is the traineeship version of the course. Click here for the non-traineeship.

Earn while you learn!

With the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rollout, people-focused, disability support workers are in high demand. A traineeship through Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115 teaches you the skills to pursue a rewarding career in a fast-growing sector. Disability support workers provide residential, recreation and respite services to people living with disabilities. Job opportunities in disability support are predicted to almost double over the next five years, with over 35,000 job openings forecast every year.

Learn people-oriented skills with a Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115

Melbourne Polytechnic has a significant history in delivering accredited education for the disability sector, working with industry bodies to ensure that all courses are current and representative. In this highly-regarded, nationally-recognised disability course, you will learn how to train and support people with disabilities so they can live with more self-reliance, community participation, and wellbeing.

Walk into a rewarding job

You’ll graduate from our Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115 with the skills needed to work independently and coordinate a small team within the disability sector. You will be qualified to work in a range of different roles in the disability sector such as lifestyle support officer, senior personal care assistant, behavioural support officer, disability team leader, day support disability officer and senior disability worker. You can also choose to further your skills by completing the Diploma of Community Services CHC52021.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate IV in Disability - Traineeship CHC43115 take me?

Graduates from our Melbourne disability course obtain the skills needed to work independently and coordinate a small team within the disability sector.

  • Disability Team Leader
  • Senior Disability Worker
  • Disability Support Worker
  • Lifestyle Support Officer
  • NDIS Support Coordination/Support Worker
  • Senior Personal Care Assistant
  • Day Support Disability Officer
  • Behavioural Support Officer

Study Pathways

Graduates from the Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115 can further their study with the Diploma of Community Services CHC52021.

I wanted to work in a sector that valued people's age and experience and not hold it against them. Disability need quality staff and age should not determine people's ability, so that was just a natural fit for me.
Catherine Giles
Certificate IV in Disability Graduate and Outstanding Human Services and Education Vocational Education Student of the Year 2022
Image of a woman with blonde hair and blue shirt

Course Details

Delivery methods

All students are required to undertake a minimum of 120 hours of supervised work placement in a relevant residential or community setting.

This course is taught through blended delivery (a combination of remote and on-campus delivery) at Greensborough campus.

These include:

  • Simulation

How you will study

Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.

On-campus / Virtual classroom

A blend of both face-to-face and virtual learning with scheduled classes taking place on-campus and in virtual classrooms. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.

Class Schedule

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday - 9am - 3:30pm

Assessment Methods

Assessment may include demonstrations of skills and knowledge, written pieces, questioning, and classroom activities, both on and off the job.

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code Subject Elective Hours
CHCCCS015 Provide individualised support Core 30
CHCCCS024 Support individuals with autism spectrum disorder Elective 50
CHCDIS002 Follow established person-centred behaviour supports Core 50
CHCDIS004 Communicate using augmentative and alternative strategies Elective 60
CHCDIS005 Develop and provide person-centred service responses Core 135
CHCDIS007 Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability Core 100
CHCDIS008 Facilitate community participation and social inclusion Core 60
CHCDIS009 Facilitate ongoing skills development using a person-centred approach Core 50
CHCDIS010 Provide person-centred services to people with disability with complex needs Core 90
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people Core 40
CHCLEG003 Manage legal and ethical compliance Core 80
HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems Core 70
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid Elective 18
HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care Core 25
VU22853 Apply human rights based approach to the identification reporting and prevention of disability abuse Elective 65

Attend an Information Session

Our information sessions will give you an in-depth look at your chosen area of study and answer your questions about your course.

Fees & Costs

Tuition Fees
Free TAFE Concession Government subsidised fee Non-subsidised fee
Tuition fee $0 $420 $2100 $9450
Materials fee $50 $50 $50 $50
Maximum annual amenities $250 $175 $250 $250
Total payable $300 $645 $2400 $9750
Per year $0
Per semester $0

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.

Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.

After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.

For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.

Fees explained

The State Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition (excluding Amenities Fees and Materials Fees) for students who are eligible for government subsidised training and enrol into one of the Priority listed course.

Free TAFE is available to eligible students for one course enrolment in a lifetime.

Free TAFE places are limited. Please call 1300 635 276 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.

Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.

The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.

Check your eligibility

The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment. 

Check your eligibility here.

The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.

Check your eligibility here.

Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:

  • Commonwealth Health Care card, or
  • Pensioner Concession card, or
  • Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
  • Veterans Gold card.

The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking

Additional expenses

The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:

  • $250 for full fee-paying students; and
  • $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.

Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.

Courses in aged care and individual support at Melbourne Polytechnic

Certificate IV in Disability Support - Non-Traineeship CHC43121
Human Services - Part Time - Preston
Free Tafe Human Services - Part Time - Preston
The Certificate IV in Disability Support CHC43121 will prepare you to train and support people with disabilities. Empower people with disabilities to achieve greater independence and community participation.
Course in Identifying, Reporting and Preventing Abuse and/or Grooming of People With Disabilities 22530VIC
Human Services - Part Time - Online, Workplace and Industry
Human Services - Part Time - Online, Workplace and Industry
Short course targeted to those who work with people with disabilities, including people with psychosocial disability.
Certificate III in Individual Support - Ageing and Disability (Traineeship) CHC33021
Human Services - Full Time, Part Time, Traineeship - Workplace and Industry
Free Tafe Human Services - Full Time, Part Time, Traineeship - Workplace and Industry
Trainees will be provided with details of the transition to the current qualification during the traineeship.
Certificate III in Individual Support - Ageing and Disability (Non-Traineeship) CHC33021
Human Services - Part Time - Preston
Free Tafe Human Services - Part Time - Preston
The Certificate III in Individual Support CHC33021 (Ageing and Disability) is a nationally recognised qualification that will give you the practical skills and knowledge to work within the Aged Care sector, to provide a professional level of dignified and meaningful life. Note: Some practical classes may be delivered at Greensborough campus.

Requirements

Be able to meet the requirements of a disability or home and community care workplace i.e
  1. Be aged 18 years and over.
  2. Provide a clear Police Check or a NDIS Worker Screening Check.
  3. Provide evidence of a current influenza vaccine.
  4. Received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (or have an exemption) to be able to work and undertake placement in a healthcare setting. See www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/worker-vaccination-requirements for recommended vaccination doses.
  5. (Optional) See health.gov.au for other recommended immunisations for health care workers.
  6. Some organisations may also require a Working with Children check.

The unit HLTAID011 Provide First Aid requires students to perform at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on an adult resuscitation manikin placed on the floor. Additional units require students to demonstrate and complete manual handling tasks. Students must be able to fulfill these requirements independently.

Language and Literacy

All potential learners will undertake a pre-training review and an LLN assessment A general guide to entry, learners will be best equipped to achieve the course outcome if they have :
  • A minimum level of literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) Working Level 4 Reading and Working Level 2 Numeracy
  • A good standard of digital literacy

Next Steps

The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.

After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.

Complete the application form on the application form webpage.

You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.

Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.

For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans here.

If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.

A teacher wearing a Melbourne Polytechnic lanyard, teaching students outdoors. An overlay text reads "Victorian Training Awards - Winner, Large Training Provider of the Year 2024"

We're Victoria's Large Training Provider of the Year

Study with Melbourne Polytechnic, proud winner of Victoria’s 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year! Recognised for our innovative programs, industry partnerships and commitment to student success, we’re here to help you build the skills for a thriving future.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.

You are currently looking at information for local students

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.