Disability support worker job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed disability support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed disability support workers about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a disability support worker
A disability support worker’s job description can vary and depends on their client’s unique needs. Work can take place at a client’s home or in residential care.
A disability support worker’s tasks can be:
- Providing emotional support and friendship
- Assisting in performing daily home care and routine tasks
- Assisting with personal care and personal hygiene
- Facilitating entertainment activities within the home
- Facilitating varied social and outdoor activities
- Communicating with clients’ families and other caregivers
- Accompanying clients to and from scheduled appointments
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Enjoyable
A job in disability support can be an excellent way to satisfy your love of social interaction. More than anything, your client will appreciate someone who wants to get to know them, have interesting conversations and build a friendly relationship with them.
Makes a difference
A role in disability care promotes independence, good emotional and mental health and a sense of empowerment to those who cannot live day-to-day life as easily as most people.
Job security
Already part of the largest employing field in Australia, disability support is experiencing massive growth. Following this career path has the added benefit of job security. You’ll always have stable work, and there are many opportunities for progression in the field.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a disability support worker
Job opportunities in disability support aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Disability support falls under the health care and social assistance industry — the largest employing industry in Australia. This industry has a significant projected increase in the workforce between now and 2025.
The implementation of the NDIS scheme in Australia has transformed the way disability care is delivered. NDIS members now have the control to allocate time to services they need, promoting independence and autonomy. The NDIS system has paved the way for a more casualised work model for many carers, making this work a good choice for those who need flexibility in their jobs.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A role in disability support could be the perfect launchpad for a new healthcare career. With the experience gained in your initial disability support worker job, or further study undertaken, there are plenty of directions your career path could take.
Possible pathways could be:
Junior
-
Aboriginal disability worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (HLT30113)
-
Disability support worker
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Home care assistance
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Personal carer
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015)
-
Residential care worker
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (CHC40313)
Mid
-
Disability officer - day support
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115)
Senior
-
Disability services manager
Most common qualification: Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management (CHC62015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Practical knowledge is needed for a role in disability support, but the interpersonal skills you have at your disposal are even more important.
Crucial soft skills for disability support workers include:
Empathy
Treating your client with empathy means putting yourself in their shoes and relating to them in a way that brings out the best emotional and physical outcomes.
Communication
Clear and direct communication skills help your clients feel more at ease and safe in your care. If you are part of a team, communication with workmates is also essential.
Problem-solving
A clear and logical approach to solving issues is vital in a disability support role. No day will be the same as the next, and thinking on your feet in critical situations is crucial.
Active listening
In some cases, communication may be difficult for clients. Having strong, active listening skills, picking up non-verbal cues and learning how to read a situation is incredibly advantageous in this role.
Social
Having a good chat and sharing personal experiences with your clients is a great way to make them feel comfortable around you and promote a good carer/client relationship.
Patience
Clients can become frustrated and agitated if they have trouble with a task. A good support worker takes their time to help clients calmly and patiently, encouraging them every step of the way.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Although many skills for a role in disability support can be learned and developed on the job, prior training through an accredited course provider gives you a strong foundation of knowledge and abilities, meaning you can hit the ground running when you start in the role.
Healthcare knowledge
Basic health and body system knowledge is essential to assist clients with any healthcare needs.
First aid
If accidents or emergencies happen, having solid first-aid skills means you can treat minor injuries or potentially save a life.
Facilitation
As a disability support worker, your assistance helps people with disabilities achieve their own goals and live as independently as they can, rather than just doing everything for them.
Understanding of various conditions
Understanding many conditions and their limitations, and effectively supporting people is essential to providing the best service.
Understanding of the disability sector and services
Broad knowledge of how the many facets of the disability sector fit together allows disability support workers to work well with other support services when necessary.
Effective communication
People with disabilities often have complex communication needs. Skills in effective communication within the sector are needed to perform a job in disability support well.
Safe transportation
Skills in transporting people with disabilities safely, especially those in wheelchairs, are essential when taking clients out for appointments or social activities.
Facilitate empowerment
Motivational skills and promoting empowerment are of great importance in a disability support worker’s role.
Support work is the best job in the world. You go to work to hang out with people, and you get to show them life — how cool is that?!
Laura Green
Executive Director, Victoria, ONCALL Group
How to become a disability support worker
-
Study
Complete a course in disability support, like a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (CHC33015) or a Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115), to gain the fundamental skills needed for a job as a disability support worker.
-
Volunteer
Contact a local disability service provider and offer your time. Volunteering can equip you with valuable work experience and give you an insight into the industry.
-
Police check and Working with Children Check
As part of the recruitment process for a role in disability support, you generally need to complete both a National Police Check and a Working with Children’s Check.
Explore related qualifications
The best way to prepare yourself for a role in disability support is to gain a disability support worker qualification.
Certificate III in Disability
This qualification provides you with the skills to work in the community or in a residential setting to support those who need old age or disability assistance.
It teaches skills in providing individualised support (both physical and social), ethics of care, enabling technologies, human rights, working with diverse people, effective communication, and more.
The average duration of the course is 35 weeks full-time but can be studied part-time. Delivery can be on campus or online. Learning can be self-paced and requires 120 hours of work placement.
Australian government fee concessions are available for eligible students.
13 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Disability
provide support and empowerment to people with disabilities. This qualification allows you to work with clients to achieve greater independence, community participation, and general wellbeing.
You can work without direct supervision at this level and may even be required to supervise or coordinate a small team.
The average duration of the course is one year full-time but can be studied part-time. Delivery can be on campus or online. Learning can be self-paced and requires 120 hours of work placement.
Australian government fee concessions are available for eligible students.
11 providers offer this course
Related subjects
Roles in the disability industry come in many shapes and sizes. Other jobs in healthcare or community services need empathetic team players all of the time.
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Holly
Sep 12 2021Developing relationships in a unique, rewarding role.
What are the best parts of the job?
There's a lot I enjoy in my role. It's great to not always be working in the office, every day is different, and I love meeting new people. You can make really good money in this job and it's really rewarding.
What's the most challenging part?
Physical care can be exhausting and hard, there are some challenging clients, hard and tiring hours, and lots of travelling.
Georgia
Sep 12 2021I love the little moments, and knowing I'm helping someone.
What are the best parts of the job?
The list of things to love about my job is almost endless. I love making connections, seeing someone overcome a difficulty, and the little moments like smelling the roses with someone. There's variety, there are challenges to overcome, and you feel like you are making a difference. You also get to meet interesting people and learn new skills.
What's the most challenging part?
The main challenges of the job are letting someone down, seeing people suffer, and witnessing learned helplessness. You'll experience some challenging behaviours, and may not always know how to help someone. There's also a lot of physical labour, the need to set boundaries and it can be mentally disengaging.
Hannah
Sep 12 2021Happy to help disabled people achieve their goals, despite hard aspects.
What are the best parts of the job?
Being able to work with people with disabilities to achieve their goals.
What's the most challenging part?
Dealing with impacting aspects such as behaviours, the environment, social factors, and COVID-19.
Related articles
Disability support work is an enriching career. If you are keen to find out more, access these resources into the sector.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Jobs in a supporting or caring role, especially for people with disabilities, are suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer loves to work directly with people and finds genuine joy in seeing others achieve their goals. They employ their natural empathy in their jobs, making others feel safe and at ease in their presence.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is it like to be a disability support worker?
A job as a disability support worker has you out in the community, making a direct and positive difference to people’s lives. It is physical, fun, at times challenging and ultimately rewarding.
What makes a good disability support worker?
A good disability worker has loads of patience, empathy, loves to see others succeed and is confident they can work safely to support disabled people.
How much does a disability support worker earn?
The average salary for a disability support worker in Australia is $66K.
What is the role of a disability support worker?
The role of a disability support worker is to facilitate independence and provide emotional, physical support to people with disabilities.
What should I expect working as a disability support worker?
Expect to work hard — no day to be the same as the next. You’ll encounter extensive learning experiences and meet some of the most incredible and inspirational people in our community.