Specialist Care Industry RPL
Get your Cert III in Individual Support without going back to class. Finalised in as little as 15 business days*
CHC33021 RPLYour Care Experience, Turned Into a Certificate III in Individual Support
You've already done the hard part: years of looking after people. We turn that experience into a nationally recognised qualification and stay with you from the first call to the day your certificate arrives.
- No classes*
- No exams*
- From 15 business days*
- Nationally recognised
* RPL assesses your existing skills and work experience against a nationally recognised qualification. Outcomes depend on eligibility, your evidence and independent assessment by our affiliated RTO. Timeframes start once complete evidence is received. XPQualify does not issue qualifications. Conditions apply.
- Qualification
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Code
- CHC33021
- AQF level
- Level 3
- Units
- 15 (9 core + 6 elective)
- Specialisations
- Ageing, Disability, or both
- Occupation
- Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)
CHC33021 RPL Guide
Everything You Need Is Right Here
No more searching. This page answers every question about CHC33021 RPL, and one call to our team handles the rest.
- Your own RPL advisor from day one
- The correct quote after your free assessment, with no hidden fees
- We help you build your evidence portfolio
- 100% online, from anywhere in Australia
What is CHC33021 Cert III Individual Support RPL?
CHC33021 RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) lets experienced care workers fast track their Cert III Individual Support, the nationally recognised Certificate III in Individual Support, by proving the skills they already use at work instead of studying the full course.
- At least 2+ years in aged care, disability or home care in Australia, along with any overseas experience
- 100 points of ID, a detailed CV, payslips, a supervisor reference letter and work evidence
- Our partner RTO can finalise your qualification in as little as 15 business days* once your evidence is complete
Who It's For
Who Qualifies for Cert III Individual Support RPL?
If one of these sounds like you, you're exactly who we help every day.
- Aged care worker or personal care assistant (PCA) in residential or home care
- Disability or NDIS support worker without a formal certificate
- Assistant in Nursing (AIN) or overseas trained nurse now working in Australian care
- Home care, respite or community support worker
- Dementia, palliative or memory care support worker
- Carer who needs a Certificate III for a promotion, a new employer or NDIS work
Cert III Individual Support RPL wherever you work
100% online for care workers in every state and territory:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Canberra
- Hobart
- Darwin
- Regional Australia
Specialisations
Choose Your CHC33021 Specialisation
Your electives are matched to the work you actually do.
Aged care RPL: Certificate III (Ageing)
For aged care workers and PCAs. Covers dementia support, working in aged care and palliative care.
Disability support worker RPL: Certificate III (Disability)
For NDIS and disability support workers. Covers community participation, inclusion and strengths based support.
Dual specialisation: Ageing and Disability
For workers who do both. Gives you the widest choice of employers across aged care and the NDIS.
The RPL Process
How to Get Your CHC33021 Through RPL in 4 Steps
Four clear steps to fast track your qualification, with our team beside you the whole way.
Step 1: Free skills check
Start in under 60 secondsAnswer a few quick questions about your care work. An RPL advisor then calls you for a friendly, no pressure chat about your experience and goals, and confirms CHC33021 is the right fit.
Step 2: Build your experience portfolio
Show what you do every shiftYou get a checklist made for CHC33021. Gather payslips, references, care plans and training certificates, and our team helps you put it all together.
Step 3: Assessment by an RTO
Verified by qualified assessorsOur affiliated RTO checks your portfolio against the current CHC33021 competency standards. If anything is missing, the assessor may ask for more evidence or suggest gap training.
Step 4: Receive your qualification
A milestone you've earnedOnce approved, the RTO issues your nationally recognised CHC33021 Certificate III. Use it for a promotion, a new employer or NDIS work.
Evidence Checklist
Required Evidence for CHC33021 RPL
Most care workers already have these on their phone or in a drawer.
- 01
100 points of ID
Passport, driver's licence, Medicare card or birth certificate.
- 02
Detailed CV
Your care roles, employers, dates and daily duties. The more detail, the better.
- 03
Payslips or employment letter
Recent payslips, or a letter confirming your role and hours.
- 04
Supervisor reference letter
On letterhead, describing your care duties, signed with contact details.
- 05
Workplace evidence
Care plans, shift notes, rosters, incident reports and training certificates. Remove client names first.
- 06
USI number
Free to create at usi.gov.au in about 5 minutes.
120 hours of work placement: CHC33021 requires at least 120 hours of work in a care setting. If you already work in care, supervisor verified work hours can be used as evidence toward this. The assessing RTO decides what it accepts.
Your Job, Mapped
How Your Job Maps to CHC33021 Units
Examples of the evidence assessors look for, by role.
| Your role | CHC33021 unit | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Personal care assistant or AIN | CHCCCS031Provide individualised support | Care plans you follow, shift notes, supervisor reference |
| Aged care worker | CHCAGE013Work effectively in aged care | Employment letter from an aged care provider, position description |
| Dementia care worker | CHCAGE011Provide support to people living with dementia | Dementia care plans, behaviour support notes, training records |
| NDIS or disability support worker | CHCDIS020Work effectively in disability support | NDIS Worker Screening Check, shift records, support plans |
| Palliative or respite carer | CHCPAL003Deliver care services using a palliative approach | Palliative care plans, family communication records |
| All care roles | HLTINF006Infection prevention and control | Infection control training certificate, PPE procedures |
| All care roles | HLTWHS002Safe work practices for direct client care | Manual handling training, hazard or incident reports |
Compare
RPL or the Full Course?
Full Certificate III course
- Typically 6 to 12 months of study
- Classes, assignments and assessments
- 120 hours of placement on top of your job
- You relearn what you already do every shift
CHC33021 RPL with XPQualify
- Qualification finalised from 15 business days*
- No classes or exams*
- 100% online, from anywhere in Australia
- The correct quote after your free assessment, no hidden fees, plus our Price Beat Guarantee*
Our Pricing Promise
Why We Only Quote After Your Free Assessment
We want YOU to save money. That's why we can ONLY give you the Correct Quote after your initial assessment. A quote given without an initial assessment would leave you UNNECESSARILY overpriced, and we don't want to do that to you!
- Free initial assessment
- A quote based on your actual experience
- You won't find a cheaper or faster RPL service in Australia**
CHC33021 RPL FAQs
CHC33021 RPL Questions, Answered
Still unsure? Call 1800 325 210 and talk to a real advisor.
Can I fast track my Cert 3 Individual Support through RPL?
Yes. If you already work in care, RPL is the fastest way to a Cert 3 Individual Support (CHC33021 Certificate III). Instead of 6 to 12 months of study, our partner RTO can finalise your qualification in as little as 15 business days* once your evidence is complete. Conditions apply.*
How long does CHC33021 RPL take?
Once your complete evidence is submitted, our partner RTO can finalise your qualification in as little as 15 business days*. Most of the time goes into gathering documents, and our advisors help you do that quickly. Conditions apply.*
How much experience do I need for CHC33021 RPL?
Most successful applicants have at least 2 years of hands on work in aged care, disability support, home care or community care in Australia. The assessing RTO sets the exact requirement, and we confirm it in your free eligibility check.
How much does CHC33021 RPL cost?
You get the correct quote after your free eligibility check, with no hidden fees. Quoting before we understand your experience would leave you UNNECESSARILY overpriced, and we don't want that for you. Call 1800 325 210 to start. Our Price Beat Guarantee* applies to comparable quotes. Conditions apply.*
Can overseas trained nurses get CHC33021 through RPL?
Yes, if you are now working in care in Australia. Your overseas training can support your application, but the RTO will need Australian evidence such as payslips, an employer letter and a supervisor reference letter showing your current care work.
Do I still need 120 hours of work placement for CHC33021 RPL?
CHC33021 requires at least 120 hours of work in a care setting. If you already work in aged care or disability support, supervisor verified work hours can be used as evidence toward this requirement. The assessing RTO decides what it accepts.
What is the difference between CHC33015 and CHC33021?
CHC33021 is the current Certificate III in Individual Support and replaced CHC33015. Several core units were updated, including infection prevention and control (now HLTINF006). If you completed CHC33015 units, matching units may count toward CHC33021 through credit transfer, as decided by the RTO.
Is an RPL qualification the same as one earned by study?
Yes. RPL leads to the same nationally recognised qualification, with the same national recognition as one completed through study.
Does XPQualify issue the certificate?
No. XPQualify is an RPL consultancy. We check your eligibility, help prepare your evidence and refer you to an affiliated RTO, which assesses you and issues the qualification.
Units and Packaging Rules
CHC33021 Units and Packaging Rules
The full detail, for anyone who wants it.
View core and elective units
To achieve CHC33021 you must complete 15 units: 9 core and 6 electives. At least 3 electives come from the Ageing or Disability group; the rest can come from any group. Your electives are chosen to match your work.
Core units
- CHCCCS031 Provide individualised support
- CHCCCS038 Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
- CHCCCS040 Support independence and wellbeing
- CHCCCS041 Recognise healthy body systems
- CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
- CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
- HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Ageing electives (examples)
- CHCAGE011 Provide support to people living with dementia
- CHCAGE013 Work effectively in aged care
- CHCPAL003 Deliver care services using a palliative approach
Disability electives (examples)
- CHCDIS011 Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths based approach
- CHCDIS012 Support community participation and social inclusion
- CHCDIS020 Work effectively in disability support
General electives (examples)
- CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
- CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
- CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
Your care experience already counts. Let's make it official.
You've found the right team. Check your eligibility for CHC33021 RPL in 60 seconds, free and with no obligation.