Prepare your RPL portfolio/RPL evidence guides
Community Services
Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) (CHC33021) — RPL Evidence Portfolio Guide
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
Evidence portfolio guide for support workers seeking recognition against CHC33021, including the supervised workplace hours assessors must see.
Last updated 7 September 2026
Who this guide is for
- Aged, home and disability care workers without an Australian certificate
- Overseas carers and nurses now in Australian support roles
- Workers whose employer requires CHC33021
- Candidates needing the qualification component for a VETASSESS or ACWA assessment
1. Visual evidence guidelines (photos & videos)
To satisfy independent RTO assessment criteria, submit 8 de-identified workplace photos and 4 video clips (about 60 seconds each).
Never photograph or film a client, their home or their records. Use simulated demonstrations only, with written consent.
Option A — Personal care
Mandatory- Showering, dressing and grooming
- Transfers using hoist, slide sheet or belt
- Repositioning and pressure care
- Continence support following the plan
Option B — Following the individualised plan
Mandatory- Reading and applying the support plan
- Reporting a change through the proper channel
- Progress notes and incident writing
- Handover to the next worker
Option C — Empowerment and daily living
3 to 4 tasks- Meal support to dietary requirements
- Community access and transport
- Supporting independence in daily tasks
- Medication assistance supervised and within scope
Option D — Safety, infection control and manual handling
3 to 4 tasks- Hand hygiene and PPE use
- Manual handling and mobility support
- Cleaning and waste management
- Hazard and falls response
Option E — Legal and ethical practice
3 to 4 tasks- Duty of care and dignity of risk
- Confidentiality
- Abuse and neglect reporting
- Working within scope and escalating
These task counts are our standard preparation guidance. Your assessing RTO may set different requirements — we confirm them before you start collecting.
2. Acceptable vs unacceptable visual evidence
Acceptable evidence (do this)
Unacceptable evidence (avoid this)
3. Supporting documents checklist
- Photo identification (passport or Australian driver licence)
- Résumé showing your hours and settings
- Third-party or supervisor reference on company letterhead
- Payslips, rosters and PAYG covering the claimed period
- NDIS Worker Screening and Working With Children Check
- Police check
- Current first aid and CPR certificates
- Manual handling, infection control and medication training records
- Overseas nursing or care qualifications with translation
4. How to organise and submit your portfolio
1. Get written permission
Confirm with your employer that simulated demonstrations are acceptable — no client footage.
2. Arrange the supervisor report early
A qualified supervisor needs to observe and report on your specific tasks — book this first.
3. De-identify everything
Remove all client details from notes and records before filing.
4. Name and sort by option
One folder per option (for example OptionA_Transfer_Hoist_01.jpg) with a one-line description per task.
5. Bundle paperwork separately
Keep screening, references, pay records and training certificates in their own folder.
6. Prepare for a competency conversation
Expect questions on escalation, duty of care and dignity of risk.
5. Why portfolios get sent back
- Client identity visible in any file
- No supervisor report, or a report with no specific tasks
- Domestic or family caring presented as paid work
- Missing or expired screening, first aid or training
- No written plan evidence
- Hours that do not match payslips and rosters
6. Questions we get asked
How can I show my skills if I cannot film clients?
You do not need to. Assessors expect simulated demonstrations plus a supervisor's third-party report. Protecting client privacy is itself evidence that you understand the job.
Do placement hours count?
For the qualification, supervised placement hours can count and are often required. For a migration skills assessment they do not — only paid employment counts there.
I trained as a nurse overseas. Does that help?
It supports your application and may credit some units, but it does not replace evidence of current Australian workplace practice, which is what the assessor is judging.
Who issues the qualification?
An independent registered training organisation. Skills Connect prepares and reviews your evidence; we do not assess or issue qualifications.
Not sure your evidence is strong enough?
Take the free skills check, or book a call and we'll review what you already have before you spend weeks collecting the wrong things.
See the full Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) pathway page for qualification, licence and visa outcomes.
Skills Connect (EDUTEK PTY LTD) prepares and reviews RPL evidence. Assessment and certification are carried out by an independent registered training organisation or assessing authority.
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