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Certificate IV · national qualification

Certificate IV in Disability Support

The Certificate IV in Disability Support is for people already working in disability support who hold a Certificate III and want to take on more responsibility.

Compare 26 providers
Illustration of a person working as disability Support Worker
How long it takes
6 to 24 months
typical for this level
What it costs
From $2,256
Subsidised at Holmesglen Institute, full fee up to $9,585
How you can study
On campus
Main job
Disability Support Worker
$91,600 median pay, In demand
Taught by
26 providers
Every state and territory

Is this course right for you?

What the Certificate IV in Disability Support asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in supporting people with disability
  • a person-centred attitude
  • good communication skills
  • the ability to work without direct supervision

Before you start

Completion of: CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) OR Completion of: CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) OR Completion of: CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Disability Support Worker

    Disability support workers help people with disability manage daily tasks and personal care, and get out into the community, so they can live as independently as they choose.

    What else you need

    Check prior study, placement and worker-screening requirements for the intended service. Entry requirements: Completion of: CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) OR Completion of: CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) OR Completion of: CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.

    Median pay$91,600

    In demand

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

What it costs

Subsidised place

From $2,256

at Holmesglen Institute. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.

Paying the full fee

$7,068 to $9,585

across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.

  • Chisholm InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $4,260
    Concession
    $852
    Full fee
    $9,585

  • GOTAFEVIC

    Subsidised
    $4,555
    Concession
    $911
    Full fee
    $9,543

  • Holmesglen InstituteVIC

    Subsidised
    $2,256
    Concession
    $452
    Full fee
    $7,068

Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.

Where you can study this course

There are 26 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

What you’ll learn

10 units: 7 that everyone takes and 3 you choose.

  • Person-centred behaviour support
  • Community participation and inclusion
  • Ongoing skills development
  • Supporting people with complex needs
  • Mental health support
  • Legal and ethical compliance
See all 7 core units

Core units

Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.

  • Loading the details for CHCCCS044…

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Questions people ask

Who is this qualification for?

It is for people already working in disability support who hold a Certificate III and want more responsibility. You will learn to support people with complex needs and mental health issues, follow behaviour support plans, and help someone build skills and join their community.

Do I need experience or other qualifications first?

Yes. You need to complete CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), or CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), or CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability plus the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set. Providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.

Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication, so you do not need a licence or registration to work in this area.

Related courses

The national training register, training.gov.au. TAFE course pages, read 20 September 2026. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.