Individual support and disability care courses
Want to work in care? A Certificate III gets you started in aged care, disability support or home care, and a Certificate IV lets you take on more responsibility, including clients with complex needs. Here's what each course covers and where it leads.
- Quickest way to start
- 4 months
- Certificate III, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $255
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE Queensland
- What the jobs pay
- $65,000 to $91,600
- median pay across 3 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 2 of 3 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificates in individual support and care
Work in aged care or disability support
Help older people and people with disability with daily tasks, personal care, household jobs and getting out in the community.
Median pay$91,600
- How long it takes
- 4 to 24 months full time
- What it costs
- $255 at TAFE Queensland if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $4,695 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III in Individual Support | Certificate IV in Ageing Support | Certificate IV in Disability Support | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,450 | $9,920 | $1,990 | $13,230 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,584 | $13,089 | $7,230 | $18,075 | $4,260 | $9,585 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $6,332 | $14,837 | Not listed | Not listed | $4,555 | $9,543 |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $5,434 | $9,639 | Not listed | Not listed | $2,256 | $7,068 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,252 | $10,518 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $255 | $4,695 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $1,450 subsidised
- $9,920 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- $1,990 subsidised
- $13,230 full fee
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $4,584 subsidised
- $13,089 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- $7,230 subsidised
- $18,075 full fee
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- $4,260 subsidised
- $9,585 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $6,332 subsidised
- $14,837 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- $4,555 subsidised
- $9,543 full fee
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $5,434 subsidised
- $9,639 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- $2,256 subsidised
- $7,068 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $4,252 subsidised
- $10,518 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- $255 subsidised
- $4,695 full fee
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
- Not listed
- Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Not listed
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
The care certificates compared
All three lead to support work, either with older people or with people with disability. The Certificate III is the general way in, while the Certificate IV courses go further into complex care and suit people who already have some experience. Most can be studied online at one or more providers.
- Certificate III in Individual SupportThe general entry point, covering aged care, disability support and home care under a care plan. Supervised placement in a real care setting is part of it.How long4 to 8 monthsWhere you'd workAged care, disability or home care
- Certificate IV in Disability SupportFor people already working in disability support with a Certificate III who want more responsibility. Covers complex needs, behaviour support plans and working with little direct supervision.How long6 to 24 monthsWhere you'd workDisability services
- Certificate IV in Ageing SupportPrepares you to support older people in a facility, at home or through a community program, including dementia, chronic disease and palliative care. Placement is included.How long7 to 12 monthsWhere you'd workResidential, home or community aged care
Short university courses
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Aged Care WorkerWhat you needA care certificateMedian pay$91,600In demand
Assistant in NursingWhat you needA care certificateMedian pay$65,000 (estimate)
Disability Support WorkerWhat you needA care certificateMedian pay$91,600In demand
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.