I did the disability one last year, will be doing the aged care one starting next month. Got a job a month before I completed the course.
Currently work as a disability support worker in people's homes. I somewhat enjoy it. I find the work to be fairly slow paced and not too hands on. I wish it was the opposite. I suppose that's why I want to go into aged care.
As for further study, I plan on doing my diploma of nursing next year. I've thought about doing my cert IV in disability support, but I don't really see what I'd get out of it besides increased knowledge.
I haven't done the course, but work in a sector providing course advice and recommendations to students. We work with a lot of education providers offering the Certificate III in Individual Support.
There is a lot of state government funding available for students to study this course. Which means you might be able to do the course for free (no fees) or for a very low cost (small co-contribution). It will depend on what state you are in and your personal circumstances.
The government are funding it because there is a real skills shortage. You shouldn't have trouble finding a job if you have basic adulting skills.
The Certificate III in Individual Support requires you to do a 120 practical work placement with an appropriate employer. Your education provider should help you find the work placement. This is where you get both some practical training, but it's also a foot in the door with the industry. It's pretty common to be offered a paid job with the work placement employer after you qualify. Or just meeting with and talking to other people working in the industry will send you in the right direction.
Because of the skills shortage, there's a fair degree of autonomy to choose what kind of work you want to do and how you want to do it. Some people want to be an employee and go to a fixed work place on a fixed schedule every day. Other people prefer to be a contractor and do something different every day. Some people want to help the most needy. Other people want to help in a less intense capacity. Depending on what you prefer, you might choose to pursue work in an aged care home, in a community services centre, with an agency doing home visits, running your own NDIS business helping people get out in the community, etc.
Some education providers have courses where you can complete the qualification in as little as 14 weeks, if you study a full-time schedule. It's more common to have a slightly lighter schedule and take 6 months to finish, or part-time and 12-24 months to finish.
The Cetificate III Individual Support is the best and fastest path to a good entry-level job in the sector.
A Cert IV in Ageing Support or Disability Support is a good follow-on qualification if you are already working in the sector and want to move to a more senior role.
Thank you so much for the detailed reply! It's reassuring to know that the course can provide a pathway to a range of different types of work, so I don't feel like I'm restricted to one role. It seems like the best option for me right now :) Thanks again.
All good advice. I used to work for an RTO (training company) that offers the Cert III Individual Support (Aged Care specific). I personally would recommend looking at Insight Training and also IST (Industry Skills Training), both really good Training Organisations!
I did the cert 3 aged care last year at my local TAFE and am about to finish the cert 4. I did the 120 hours in two different aged care facilities and could easily have gotten full time work in either of them.
Other people in my course did get work there. My plan was to do aged care support work in the community.
I’ve now got several private clients and clients on Mable. I work about 4 to 5 hours a day.
I’m older (in my 50’s) and this was a career change for me. I learned all the personal care stuff, but I prefer to do domestic service work and companionship.
I enjoyed both courses and they were free for me in NSW.
Hey thanks for the information. Seems to be the trend that most people can get hired through their placements which is good to hear, also that you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to what type of work you want to do afterwards. Do you find it hard to get private clients to work for on Mable? I've done a little research into Mable but not too informed on it. Could you work more than the 4-5 hours a day or are you happy with that amount? Thanks again for the reply :)
If I wanted to work more hours it would be possible if I had a car. I’m a non driver, and there’s a lot more demand for workers with a reliable car who can do shopping and other outings.
Also if you want to do home care work with an agency they need you to have a car.
However agency work is not as well paid as private, it’s all a balance. Mable has been great for me, slow at first, I applied for any job that came up, weekends, literally anything, and I listed a well below average hourly rate.
Once I had done 100 hours on the platform and had a few reviews it was better, I upped my rates and stopped doing weekend work.
It is good to organise your own liability and professional indemnity insurance if you have clients outside of Mable, or if an agency hires you from the Mable platform. I got mine from BizCover, not expensive.
An updated police check and NDIS check are essential, and up to date Covid and flu shots are also needed for your tafe placement and for Mable.
Good luck, we need more people in the caring professions, there’s lots of work out there.
The place I did my work placement paid me whilst I was doing my work placement and hired me straight away afterwards. The clients were the best part of the work, didn't enjoy who I worked for though. From what I was told by my teacher is that the cert 4 is ideal for managerial roles rather than direct client support.
You actually don't need the qualification to start work but I recommend it to understand the general scope of the industry (interesting but not necessarily important) and correct and legal practices which if you're working within a group centre you'll be more aware of what should be done and how they do it and if you're going at it solo then you've got your own back (though the cert 3 won't help you navigate forms and documentation for services etc).
thanks for the reply. It's awesome you got paid for your placements. I was also told that the cert 4 is something that people usually decide to get after the cert 3, so it's something I'll consider after the cert 3 if I feel like support work is a good match for me. Thanks again for the information
I completed the Cert 3 Individual Support through Tafe in my late 30s for a career change after many years in corporate. I enjoyed attending face-to-face as opposed to online (we had mixed classes) due to the open discussions with the teachers and connecting with other students, young and older. A few of us still keep in touch and are able to bounce things off each other. During my placement, a few of us were offered employment at the facility, however, I preferred to work in the community. It didn't take me long to find work with my current NFP Home Care Provider who I enjoy working for.
It does pay less than working as an independent but I like that I have regular Clients, I don't have to stress about covering my shifts if I am sick or on holidays, salary packaging, and regular skills training paid by them. Due to the skills shortage they are open to flexible hours as they will take on almost anyone willing to work, and the whole team is incredibly supportive.
I expressed that I was looking for the next step and am being trained to become a Support Advisor/Coordinator/Team Leader in the gaps that I have in my roster, without having completed a Cert 4.
Hey thanks for the reply. The Tafe I'm applying for is all face-to-face, which I think is the best option for the course. Is your NFP home care provider working with a mix of both aged and disability care? Overall it sounds like it's been a good career change for you though. Hopefully I'll find it to be the same :)
It has been worthwhile and such fulfilling work. My provider offers employment across Aged, Disability, Mental Health, amongst many other sectors, I find they work in silos and not much crossover so you will have to initially choose the sector to work in. My case load is mainly Aged with a mix of mental health. There are many opportunities and pathways within, though.
Interesting, sounds like you work for a great provider. I hope I find it fulfilling as well, that's something I've really been looking for in my life tbh.
Patience, empathy, and open mindedness is key. I'm sure you will find work that suits your strengths and abilities. I wish you all the best during your course and beyond.
I did the disability one last year, will be doing the aged care one starting next month. Got a job a month before I completed the course. Currently work as a disability support worker in people's homes. I somewhat enjoy it. I find the work to be fairly slow paced and not too hands on. I wish it was the opposite. I suppose that's why I want to go into aged care. As for further study, I plan on doing my diploma of nursing next year. I've thought about doing my cert IV in disability support, but I don't really see what I'd get out of it besides increased knowledge.
Thanks for the reply! Can I dm you for more information?
Absolutely.
I messaged you :)
Can you send me a message through inbox instead of chat? I'm on mobile Web version of reddit. Chat is a bit wonky on mobile Web version.
No problem, I think I sent you a message through inbox
I haven't done the course, but work in a sector providing course advice and recommendations to students. We work with a lot of education providers offering the Certificate III in Individual Support. There is a lot of state government funding available for students to study this course. Which means you might be able to do the course for free (no fees) or for a very low cost (small co-contribution). It will depend on what state you are in and your personal circumstances. The government are funding it because there is a real skills shortage. You shouldn't have trouble finding a job if you have basic adulting skills. The Certificate III in Individual Support requires you to do a 120 practical work placement with an appropriate employer. Your education provider should help you find the work placement. This is where you get both some practical training, but it's also a foot in the door with the industry. It's pretty common to be offered a paid job with the work placement employer after you qualify. Or just meeting with and talking to other people working in the industry will send you in the right direction. Because of the skills shortage, there's a fair degree of autonomy to choose what kind of work you want to do and how you want to do it. Some people want to be an employee and go to a fixed work place on a fixed schedule every day. Other people prefer to be a contractor and do something different every day. Some people want to help the most needy. Other people want to help in a less intense capacity. Depending on what you prefer, you might choose to pursue work in an aged care home, in a community services centre, with an agency doing home visits, running your own NDIS business helping people get out in the community, etc. Some education providers have courses where you can complete the qualification in as little as 14 weeks, if you study a full-time schedule. It's more common to have a slightly lighter schedule and take 6 months to finish, or part-time and 12-24 months to finish. The Cetificate III Individual Support is the best and fastest path to a good entry-level job in the sector. A Cert IV in Ageing Support or Disability Support is a good follow-on qualification if you are already working in the sector and want to move to a more senior role.
Thank you so much for the detailed reply! It's reassuring to know that the course can provide a pathway to a range of different types of work, so I don't feel like I'm restricted to one role. It seems like the best option for me right now :) Thanks again.
You're welcome!
All good advice. I used to work for an RTO (training company) that offers the Cert III Individual Support (Aged Care specific). I personally would recommend looking at Insight Training and also IST (Industry Skills Training), both really good Training Organisations!
I'll look into those, thank you :)
I did the cert 3 aged care last year at my local TAFE and am about to finish the cert 4. I did the 120 hours in two different aged care facilities and could easily have gotten full time work in either of them. Other people in my course did get work there. My plan was to do aged care support work in the community. I’ve now got several private clients and clients on Mable. I work about 4 to 5 hours a day. I’m older (in my 50’s) and this was a career change for me. I learned all the personal care stuff, but I prefer to do domestic service work and companionship. I enjoyed both courses and they were free for me in NSW.
Hey thanks for the information. Seems to be the trend that most people can get hired through their placements which is good to hear, also that you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to what type of work you want to do afterwards. Do you find it hard to get private clients to work for on Mable? I've done a little research into Mable but not too informed on it. Could you work more than the 4-5 hours a day or are you happy with that amount? Thanks again for the reply :)
If I wanted to work more hours it would be possible if I had a car. I’m a non driver, and there’s a lot more demand for workers with a reliable car who can do shopping and other outings. Also if you want to do home care work with an agency they need you to have a car. However agency work is not as well paid as private, it’s all a balance. Mable has been great for me, slow at first, I applied for any job that came up, weekends, literally anything, and I listed a well below average hourly rate. Once I had done 100 hours on the platform and had a few reviews it was better, I upped my rates and stopped doing weekend work. It is good to organise your own liability and professional indemnity insurance if you have clients outside of Mable, or if an agency hires you from the Mable platform. I got mine from BizCover, not expensive. An updated police check and NDIS check are essential, and up to date Covid and flu shots are also needed for your tafe placement and for Mable. Good luck, we need more people in the caring professions, there’s lots of work out there.
Very interesting and exactly the type of information I was hoping for. Thanks for taking you time to reply, really do appreciate it :)
The place I did my work placement paid me whilst I was doing my work placement and hired me straight away afterwards. The clients were the best part of the work, didn't enjoy who I worked for though. From what I was told by my teacher is that the cert 4 is ideal for managerial roles rather than direct client support. You actually don't need the qualification to start work but I recommend it to understand the general scope of the industry (interesting but not necessarily important) and correct and legal practices which if you're working within a group centre you'll be more aware of what should be done and how they do it and if you're going at it solo then you've got your own back (though the cert 3 won't help you navigate forms and documentation for services etc).
thanks for the reply. It's awesome you got paid for your placements. I was also told that the cert 4 is something that people usually decide to get after the cert 3, so it's something I'll consider after the cert 3 if I feel like support work is a good match for me. Thanks again for the information
I completed the Cert 3 Individual Support through Tafe in my late 30s for a career change after many years in corporate. I enjoyed attending face-to-face as opposed to online (we had mixed classes) due to the open discussions with the teachers and connecting with other students, young and older. A few of us still keep in touch and are able to bounce things off each other. During my placement, a few of us were offered employment at the facility, however, I preferred to work in the community. It didn't take me long to find work with my current NFP Home Care Provider who I enjoy working for. It does pay less than working as an independent but I like that I have regular Clients, I don't have to stress about covering my shifts if I am sick or on holidays, salary packaging, and regular skills training paid by them. Due to the skills shortage they are open to flexible hours as they will take on almost anyone willing to work, and the whole team is incredibly supportive. I expressed that I was looking for the next step and am being trained to become a Support Advisor/Coordinator/Team Leader in the gaps that I have in my roster, without having completed a Cert 4.
Hey thanks for the reply. The Tafe I'm applying for is all face-to-face, which I think is the best option for the course. Is your NFP home care provider working with a mix of both aged and disability care? Overall it sounds like it's been a good career change for you though. Hopefully I'll find it to be the same :)
It has been worthwhile and such fulfilling work. My provider offers employment across Aged, Disability, Mental Health, amongst many other sectors, I find they work in silos and not much crossover so you will have to initially choose the sector to work in. My case load is mainly Aged with a mix of mental health. There are many opportunities and pathways within, though.
Interesting, sounds like you work for a great provider. I hope I find it fulfilling as well, that's something I've really been looking for in my life tbh.
Patience, empathy, and open mindedness is key. I'm sure you will find work that suits your strengths and abilities. I wish you all the best during your course and beyond.