Disability Courses

Disability Courses

Disability care is a highly rewarding and interesting career pathway. Provide support services to those who need it most and become a qualified disability support worker in Australia. 

Disability support service professionals work in numerous environments, including group homes, training centres, day respite centres and employment services. They usually work directly with Australia’s elderly and disabled, helping them achieve day-to-day tasks to the best of their ability. 

Working as a care worker requires you to be prepared for anything. From medication monitoring to organising community participation activities, support workers can do it all. 

Australia‘s disability sector is large, with an estimated 4.3 million Australians living with some reported form of disability, 1.4 million of whom are severely limited in cognitive function. One in every five Australians suffers from a disability, and one in every three households includes at least one person with a disability.

A disability support worker course will provide real-life experience for work placement, simulated community and support accommodation environments, and supporting disability clients in their homes or support accommodation. This course also opens up career pathway opportunities in disability support, nursing, and community services.

Learn exactly what it takes to become a disability support worker, and discover career insights from industry professionals.

Career outcomes for the disability industry

Many care workers find job opportunities within aged care homes, disability support agencies or private employment. Most disability support roles require a nationally recognised qualification; however, even qualified workers are encouraged to participate in on-going training to better equip them for the diversity of this career path.

Some people choose to move towards more administrative positions, such as becoming case managers, program coordinators or working specifically with the NDIS (national disability insurance scheme). While others may choose to work within community services, focusing on social inclusion efforts. Many of the positions are part time or contract based and thus are flexible for busy or otherwise occupied job seekers.

Disability support workers are in demand all across Australia, with the highest employment opportunities residing in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. 

At the completion of a disability course, you’ll have the opportunity to find employment in the following roles:

• Care Coordinator
• Disability Coordinator
• Disability Support Worker
• Development Officer
• Disability Team Leader/ Supervisor
• Senior Personal Care Assistant
• Community Care Worker
• Disability support Officer

Job outlook for aged and disability carers

With an ageing population, and growing demand for aged care workers, and disability support workers, the industry remains critical to the country’s well being. Approximately 2.7 million Australians work as support workers, caring for someone with a disability. 

There are also an additional 58,000 disability service instructors and 130,000 disability carers who are working all across the country. The industry is well respected and has earned a reputation for being a highly rewarding career.

• Job openings for this profession are expected to grow at a rapid rate of 25% by 2024
• The average salary of a full-time aged and disability carer is $65,780

Disability courses

TAFE disability courses can have numerous delivery methods. A mixture of in-class, blended and online study options are available. Most courses have a traineeship component that is made up of a minimum amount of approved work placement. 

Certificate III or Certificate IV courses

If you’re looking to step into an entry-level role, or formalise your pre-existing carer skills, a certificate qualification is for you. Some course options include a Certificate IV in Disability, or a Certificate III in Aged Care. These courses will teach you about a broad range of disabilities, and how to offer support and assistance based on their circumstances. You will learn valuable information regarding current laws and regulations surrounding the industry and develop a foundation of knowledge required to provide proper care and support.

Most of these courses have no entry requirements and provide eligibility of enrolment to anyone with a Working with Children Check and a National Police check. It’s important to note that some courses are eligible for VET student loans and course FEE-help.

Diploma courses

If further study interests you, a Diploma of Community Service or Disability Support Services is the next step to forming a career in the disability services sector. These qualifications are designed to give you the theoretical knowledge, as well as the critical practical experience required to thrive in this industry. 

A career in disability support not only requires a mixture of soft and hard skills that need to be developed properly via formal training, but they require a genuine interest in the health and support services industry. 

If this sounds like you, or someone who you would like to be, stop thinking and start acting! Find your dream career now and enquire about one of our courses in disability studies to find the perfect fit for you.