A care career, one step at a time
Care work has a clear ladder, and at Blue Lotus College in Melbourne you can study every rung of it. Start with a Certificate III in Individual Support. Step up to a Certificate IV in Disability Support. Then move into coordination and case management with a Diploma of Community Services.
Each qualification builds on the one before and points to different roles. Here is how the three fit together.
Step 1 Certificate III in Individual Support
The Certificate III is the starting point for anyone who wants to work in aged care or disability support. It covers person-centred support, communication, infection control, safe work practices and working with diverse people. The course has 15 units: nine core and six elective.
The six electives span both fields. Three lean towards aged care, including dementia support and a palliative approach. Three focus on disability support, including community participation.
You train face to face for 20 hours a week in our Aged Care Simulation Lab, then apply your skills during 120 hours of work placement.
Care work is physical, so expect long periods on your feet, manual handling and helping people move. Before placement you provide a current National Police Check and immunisation records. An NDIS Worker Screening Check or Working with Children Check is also needed where it applies.
From here, you can step up to the Certificate IV in Disability Support.
Step 2 Certificate IV in Disability Support
The Certificate IV is for people who want more responsibility in disability support. It focuses on helping people with disability build independence and self-reliance and take part in their community. The course has 10 units: seven core and three elective.
Core units cover behaviour support, community participation and social inclusion, ongoing skills development, and supporting people with complex needs. You also study mental health, legal and ethical compliance, and work health and safety.
You train face to face for 20 hours a week and complete 120 hours of work placement. Before placement you provide a National Police Check, an NDIS Worker Screening Check and immunisation records.
The Certificate IV builds on a disability-focused Certificate III. The course page lists the qualifications we accept for entry, so check it and ask our admissions team how your earlier study counts.
From here, the Diploma of Community Services is the next step.
Step 3 Diploma of Community Services
The Diploma moves you from direct support into coordination, case management and leading others. It covers case management, crisis response, domestic and family violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, and legal and ethical compliance. The course has 20 units: 12 core and eight elective.
Our electives focus on case management, including goal-directed planning and coordinating complex cases. You attend face to face for 20 hours a week, spread over two and a half days.
Nationally, the qualification requires at least 100 hours of work, a reduction from the earlier version. Our course includes 200 hours of placement in an approved community care provider, which is 10 weeks of your study.
If you have seen CHC52021 elsewhere, that is the earlier version. CHC52025 replaced it in 2025 and is officially equivalent, with an updated core unit (training.gov.au release notes).
Where should you start?
You do not have to climb every rung. The ladder is a pathway, not a fixed sequence, and your starting point depends on your education, your work experience and your English score. Every student completes a pre-training review before starting, and our team will confirm the right entry point for you.
Year 11 or equivalent and no care qualification
Certificate III in Individual Support
Experience in aged care or disability support but no qualification
Certificate III, with recognition of prior learning (RPL) for units you already practise on the job
A disability-focused Certificate III
Certificate IV in Disability Support
Year 12 or equivalent, or a Certificate III in any CHC course
Diploma of Community Services
An IELTS score of 5.0 or 5.5 (or equivalent), as an international student
ELICOS General English first: up to 20 weeks at 5.0, up to 10 weeks at 5.5
Two options can shorten your study. RPL recognises skills you have built at work. Credit transfer recognises units you have already completed, and the Certificate IV and the Diploma share units such as work health and safety and legal and ethical compliance.
The entry requirements on our course pages are written for international students. Domestic students should confirm the details with our admissions team.
Support along the way
We explain how work placement works before you start. If you cannot find a placement yourself, we help you find one, and our placement coordinators match opportunities to your goals. Your trainer stays in contact and employers provide evaluations throughout, and career mentoring continues after placement ends.
In class, support includes make-up classes, workshops and online learning resources. Every student completes a language, literacy, numeracy and digital check at the start, so we can offer extra help such as language support or mentoring where it is needed.
Counselling is available on request, and we can refer you to medical and mental health services. International students also receive guidance on Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and a comprehensive orientation at the start covers policies, facilities and support services.
Read more on our Work Placement Assistance and Student Support pages.
Ready to take the first step?
Talk to our admissions team about which step suits you. Email courseadvisor@bluelotus.edu.au for fees, call (+61 3) 9349 2513, or book an appointment. When you are ready, you can apply now.
Blue Lotus College acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.