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 Support 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 7 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 3 industry-informed elective subjects that will inform your day-to-day interactions with clients, families, and communities.
Subject clusters are delivered over 6 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.
You must have successfully completed one of the following qualifications:
You must be at least 18 years of age by the commencement date.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.
This course includes practical placement. If you are successful in obtaining a place in the course, you must meet a number of immunisation and compliance requirements upon commencement of your studies.
You must hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this course.
Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate, a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.
You must present evidence of a successful Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this course.
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and RMIT-issued student email address once you have commenced your studies. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You will be required to apply for and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this course.
You will be required to undertake COVID19 Vaccination as part of this course. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
You will be required to undertake annual influenza vaccination as part of this course. 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.
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 course 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.
The Certificate IV in Disability Support provides credit and guaranteed entry into further study.
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 may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.
When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
Tuition fees fully subsidised under Free TAFE scheme
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$364.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$364.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$364.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$364.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $18.15 per nominal hour ($12,705.00 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$70.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$70.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$70.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$70.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $18.15 per nominal hour ($12,705.00 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$5,000.00
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
Tuition fees after government subsidy
|
$5,000.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$364.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$364.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$5,364.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$5,364.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $8.25 per nominal hour ($5,775.00 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$1,000.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$1,000.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$70.00
Concession rate applied
|
Concession rate applied
|
$70.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$1,070.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$1,070.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $12.51 per nominal hour ($8,757.00 total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$11,500.00
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$11,500.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$364.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$364.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$11,864.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$11,864.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
| Item Cost (AUD) | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition fee student pays
$0.00
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
Tuition fees exempt for eligible students in a government subsidised place
|
$0.00 |
|
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
$0.00
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
Based on 2027 cap of $386 per calendar year
|
$0.00 |
|
Material fees
N/A
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
|
Estimated total cost to you
$0.00
Includes all fees listed above
|
$0.00 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $8.25 per nominal hour ($5,775.00 total).
Generated on 23 July 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Certificate IV in Disability Support (C4430): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$0
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$0
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLRMIT 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.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
