How do I become a disability support worker?
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Individual Support
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Disability Support
- Completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or equivalent qualifications OR
- Completion of CHC30408 Certificate III in Disability PLUS the CHCSS00125 Entry to Certificate IV in Disability Support Skill Set.
Induction
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III In Individual Support (Home and Community Care)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community)
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate III in Auslan
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Certificate IV in Auslan
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
Related occupations
Personal Carer
Personal Carers support elderly and vulnerable individuals with daily tasks, providing companionship and liaising with families and healthcare professionals.
Residential Care Worker
Residential Care Workers support children and adults in various facilities, providing personal services and maintaining close relationships with clients and their families.
Community Care Worker
Community Care Workers support children and adults in care facilities with personal services, building close relationships with clients and their families.
Home Care Assistance Worker
Home Care Assistance Workers provide personal care to elderly and vulnerable individuals in their homes, promoting independence and building strong client relationships.
Diversional Therapy Assistant
Diversional Therapy Assistants support leisure programs, enhancing the social and emotional wellbeing of isolated or vulnerable individuals.
Residential Care Officer
Residential Care Officers lead care teams in facilities, ensuring residents receive excellent personal care while managing staff and administrative tasks.
Aged Care Manager
Aged Care Managers oversee operations in care facilities, managing finances, compliance, and staff while ensuring quality service and safety standards.
Disability Team Leader
Disability Team Leaders manage support teams, ensuring effective care for clients by delegating tasks, monitoring assessments, and providing hands-on assistance.
Disability Service Officer
Disability Service Officers plan care for clients, assessing needs and connecting them with resources for education, medical, and financial support.
Trainee Support Worker
A Trainee Support Worker assists clients with daily activities in aged care or disability services, offering practical and emotional support.
Lifestyle Coordinator
A Lifestyle Coordinator plans and organises activities and events for residents in care facilities, focusing on their physical, social, and emotional needs.
Aboriginal Disability Worker
An Aboriginal Disability Worker assists Indigenous individuals with disabilities in daily activities, fostering community engagement and support.
Diversional Therapist
A Diversional Therapist organises activities for individuals with specific needs, addressing social, physical, and emotional well-being while ensuring effective communication.
Home Carer
A Home Carer supports people with additional needs at home, assisting with daily tasks, personal care, and accompanying clients to appointments.
Care Coordinator
A Care Coordinator manages client care in aged or disability services, ensuring daily support, liaising with families, and organising specialist staff.
Mental Health Advocate
A Mental Health Advocate supports individuals by promoting their rights, accessing services, and navigating mental health systems with empathy and guidance.
Behaviour Therapist
Behaviour Therapists help people make positive behaviour changes using various therapies, like CBT and hypnotherapy, to treat diverse issues.
Disability Advocate
A Disability Advocate helps individuals with disabilities navigate systems, ensuring their rights and needs are met to enhance their quality of life.
Common questions
How much do Disability Support Workers earn?
In Australia, a full time disability support worker generally earns $1,500 per week ($78,000 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
What are the job opportunities for Disability Support Workers?
Aged and disability support worker jobs have grown strongly in recent times and are expected to continue to do so. As of May 2019, there were approximately 177,000 aged and disabled carer jobs in Australia. Within five years, that number could potentially jump up to 222,000. Some reports indicate the possibility of about 35,800 job openings per year for the next five years.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal - 2019 Occupational Projections and Australian Government Job Outlook
How long does it take to become a Disability Support Worker?
Although different positions and roles have different requirements, many disability support workers need a qualification in individual support to secure a job. A Certificate III in Individual Support can take 6-12 months to complete and usually requires 120 hours of work placement. Another option is a Certificate III in Individual Support with a specialisation in Aged and Disability Support. This can also take 6-12 months to complete and has a 120-hour work placement component. The exact duration of these learning pathways depends on several factors, including whether you opt for online, on campus or blended study modes and if you study full or part time.