Gain a qualification that will put you on the path for a career in a rewarding field.
As a disability support worker, you will provide support in a manner that empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation and wellbeing. You may be required to supervise and/or coordinate a small team.
The Certificate IV Disability teaches the theory, skills and practices required to begin work in the disability sector. This certificate reflects the role of a support worker in a variety of disability support environments and to follow individualised support plans to assist people with disability to achieve their goals.
We work closely with industry partners to ensure this certificate is aligned with their needs.
RMIT will organise a work placement for you if you are not currently employed in the disability sector.
This course has been custom-built for disability support workers employed in the community disability services sector.
Throughout this certificate, you will receive personalised education and training to develop work practices for better client outcomes
As a student in this certificate, you are expected to commit to one day on campus and one day online.
Assessment will be based on demonstration of skills, the application of knowledge in a workplace context, and how you integrate these skills in preparation for the contingencies and demands of a busy workplace.
The program assessment tasks will continue to develop your knowledge and skills, requiring you to undertake individual and work group tasks such as an Work Health and Safety (WHS) worksite risk assessment, client communication assessment, and service planning and review. These tasks will be based on your worksite, clients, and organisational procedures and documentation.
RMIT teaching staff will be the lead facilitators during the program with input from specialist staff from the organisation that you are completing your placement hours in, Individual Client Plan Facilitator, Behaviour Support staff.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
We have guest speakers from the disability sector presenting on a variety of topics such as lived experience, barriers to inclusion, social model of disability, empathy and understanding.
The presentations are valuable as they provide real world insights to enhance the learning experience.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
As part of this certificate, you will complete 11 core subjects, ranging from person-based behaviour support to empowerment of people with disabilities, legal and ethical compliance to health body systems.
You will also complete three industry-informed elective subjects that will inform your day-to-day interactions with clients, families, and communities.
Subject clusters are delivered over six months, with a weekly commitment of one day face-to-face at the Melbourne City campus and one day online for student support and assessments, allowing you to study and manage other commitments.
You’ll learn about:
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Healthcare and social assistance are currently Australia’s largest employing industries, and the fast-growing sector offers a wealth of employment opportunities.
The Certificate IV in Disability Support prepares you for employment in roles such as:
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
Entry in to the Certificate IV in Disability Support requires successful completion of ONE of the following:
You must be at least 18 years of age by the commencement date of the program.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
Students who are successful in obtaining a place in the program must meet a number of Immunisation and Compliance requirements upon commencement of their studies in the program.
You will be required to hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this program.
Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.
You will be required to present evidence of a successful Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (this is an annual requirement for the duration of your program). Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and your RMIT issued student email address once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
Applicants will be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.
You will be required to undertake COVID19 Vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You will be required to undertake annual influenza vaccination as part of this program. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
Please note: Additional immunisations may be required in response to changes in Government regulations or at the request of the placement host organisation.
*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.
Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
This course has pathways available.
Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the course/s below. Credit may apply which will reduce the total duration of the destination course. See destination course page pathways for full details on entry and credit.
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February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
February, July
On campus
Melbourne City
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.
Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.
If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.
If you are eligible, Free TAFE for priority courses pays the tuition fees for your whole course. However there are still some additional expenses that you will be required to pay including the Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF), any material fees and any other non-tuition costs associated with your course.
The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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