Build your understanding of how to support people with disability to make decisions about their lives, routines and care.
This course explores choice and control, ongoing consent, accessible communication and the balance between safety and independence. You will learn how to offer meaningful options, allow time for decisions and keep the person’s preferences central.
Through short lessons and realistic workplace scenarios, you will consider everyday choices, conversations about risk and working respectfully with families, guardians and other supporters.
The course provides foundational knowledge. It does not authorise workers to assess legal decision-making capacity, make substitute decisions or introduce restrictions.
Throughout the course, you will practise respectful communication, factual documentation and recognising when additional support or clarification is needed.
Practical resources you can keep and use whenever needed.
Revisit core principles, useful communication prompts, role boundaries and escalation reminders.
Reinforce your learning through practical, non-graded activities, reflection questions and workplace scenarios.
Check whether meaningful options, communication support, consent and the person’s preferences have been considered.
Course outcomes
Explain choice and control in everyday support
Offer genuine options without steering the person towards your preferred answer
Recognise consent as specific, ongoing and able to be withdrawn
Adapt information to the person’s communication preferences
Break larger decisions into manageable steps
Allow time and support for the person to express their wishes
Discuss risks without automatically removing choice
Explore practical ways to support safer participation
Recognise the limits of family, guardian and nominee roles
Document the decision-making process as well as the outcome
Escalate unresolved concerns, pressure or uncertainty appropriately
On the job
A person says no to a planned care task.
Recognise refusal as communication, explore their preferences and discuss alternatives without pressure.
A person needs more time to choose an activity.
Simplify information, use their preferred communication method and allow time to respond.
A family member answers every question on the person’s behalf.
Bring the conversation back to the person and check what support they want.
A person chooses an activity that involves some risk.
Discuss the specific concern and explore practical ways to support participation.
A guardian requests a change to the person’s routine.
Check the scope of their authority and relevant arrangements while keeping the person involved.
Staff preferences are limiting available choices.
Recognise the issue and raise it through supervision or the appropriate review process.
You are documenting a decision.
Record the options offered, support provided, preferences expressed and actions agreed.
Six simple steps
Workbook activities are non-graded and provide opportunities to practise applying your understanding. Online learning checks assess knowledge. They do not qualify learners to conduct formal capacity assessments or exercise substitute decision-making authority.
After successfully meeting the course requirements, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Get My Course Supporting Choice and Decision-Making short course. You will also have the downloadable Course Pack for ongoing reference and learning.
Certificate of Completion
Awarded once you meet all course requirements.
This is non-accredited training. The Certificate of Completion is not a nationally recognised qualification or Statement of Attainment.
Everyday decisions influence a person’s independence, confidence and control over their life. Choices about routines, activities, personal care and who provides support should include the person’s own wishes.
Some people need information presented differently, more time or assistance to communicate. Providing that support helps workers avoid mistaking communication difficulties for an inability to decide.
Respectful decision-making also strengthens relationships. Clear discussions about options, risks and responsibilities help people participate meaningfully while giving workers a sound basis for documenting and reviewing support.
Supported decision-making means helping a person understand information, consider options and communicate their decision. The support should be guided by the person’s own will, preferences and rights.
No. A person may need communication assistance, accessible information or extra time while remaining the decision-maker. Workers should not assume incapacity because of disability or communication differences.
Dignity of risk recognises that taking some risks is part of making choices and participating in life. Workers support informed decisions and proportionate safeguards rather than removing choice automatically.
No. This is a non-accredited Professional Development Short Course. Successful learners receive a Certificate of Completion, not a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment.
The course is delivered online, with downloadable resources to support your learning.
You can start anytime. Enrol online and begin learning when it suits you.
No. A person may communicate consent through their established communication method, including signs, gestures or communication aids. Silence or lack of resistance should not be assumed to mean agreement.
Family involvement does not automatically create decision-making authority. Check the person’s wishes, consent arrangements and any relevant legal authority. Continue to involve the person throughout the process.
No. Their roles and powers differ. An NDIS nominee’s appointment concerns specified NDIS matters, while a guardian’s authority depends on the relevant legal appointment. Neither role should be assumed to cover every decision.
Listen to what they want, explain any relevant concerns and seek clarification or plan review through the appropriate pathway. A support plan should not be treated as a blanket reason to dismiss their preferences.
No. It focuses on everyday decision-making support and recognising when qualified advice is needed.
No. Workbook activities reinforce learning. Required course assessments will be identified separately.
Yes. Download the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist for future reference. Always use them alongside current support arrangements and workplace procedures.
I recently finished my Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment with Getmycourse. They have been amazing; tutors and administrators were helpful .
The training and assessment improved how I deliver training, organise sessions, and conduct assessments. This qualification has given me more confidence and strengthened my professional skills.
Their approachable teaching style, clear communication, and constructive feedback were instrumental in helping me successfully complete the course.
Strengthen your understanding of consent, communication and supported decision-making to help people remain involved in decisions about their lives.
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