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 Homepage

How to Become a Disability Support Worker

To work in disability care, you need patience and kindness and critical skills in supporting vulnerable people. Although not strictly required, a formal qualification in disability care, like a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) (CHC33015) or a Certificate IV in Disability (CHC43115), is usually needed to get a job in this varied and rewarding career.

Discover more about the role as a disability support worker, find out which disability support worker course you can choose, what the job entails, and the steps you need to take to get a job.

disability-support-worker
  • Overview
  • How to Become
  • Pathways
  • Qualifications

Disability support worker job description

info 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.

Disability support workers work with people who need extra assistance in daily activities, household duties, social participation, independence and emotional wellbeing. They provide their client with emotional support and often form close friendships with their client. Support work can take place at the home of the client or in specialised care environments.

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 

How to become a disability support worker

To have the best chances of obtaining an entry-level position as a disability support worker, gaining a qualification from a TAFE or a registered training organisation (RTO) gives you an added edge.
  1. 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.

  2. Further Study

    To further advance your career as a disability support worker, consider completing a Diploma of Community Services or a Bachelor of Social Work.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Pathway options

info
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

Disability support worker jobs are 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)

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

Study method In-class Online

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.

Read More

7 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Insight Training Group Australia Pty Ltd
Gateway Training Academy Pty Ltd
KCA Education
InterCare Training
Kirana Colleges
School of Health

Certificate IV in Disability

Study method Online

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.

Read More

1 providers offer this course

Insight Training Group Australia Pty Ltd

Certificate III in Individual Support

Study method In-class Online

The Certificate III in Individual Support equips you with the practical skills to provide care and support to people in aged care, disability, or home and community settings. Learn how to deliver person-centred care, support daily living activities, and promote independence and wellbeing. This qualification is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and starting a rewarding career in the care sector.

Read More

7 providers offer this course

Open Colleges
Insight Training Group Australia Pty Ltd
Gateway Training Academy Pty Ltd
KCA Education
InterCare Training
Kirana Colleges
School of Health

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.

Aged Care
Aged Care
Community Services
Community Services
Disability
Disability

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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Reviews

info 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.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Holly
Sep 12 2021

Developing 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.

Read More

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.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 0-1
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Georgia
Sep 12 2021

I 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.

Read More

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.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 0-1
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Hannah
Sep 12 2021

Happy 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.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Dealing with impacting aspects such as behaviours, the environment, social factors, and COVID-19.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Younger people with disability
Sally
Sep 12 2021

Helpful job where I get to build relationships, although it has some downsides.

What are the best parts of the job?

Helping others and making connections is what I love most about my job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Potential physical abuse from clients and lack of other skilled workers.

Read More
Qualification Diploma
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Steven
Sep 15 2021

Coach clients into gaining more independence.

What are the best parts of the job?

Ability to support your clients' independence and provide coping strategies through coaching and modelling.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Balancing a client's needs with their guardian's expectation of service is a big challenge. Bridging gaps with clients and guardians and working alongside them to help client growth isn't always easy, but with persistence you can achieve a lot.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Complex mental health
Caity
Sep 15 2021

Challenging but rewarding to support vulnerable people.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best part of my job is supporting vulnerable people.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Working with a diverse range of disabilities — you have to have extensive knowledge of each so you can make a positive impact.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Jourdie
Sep 19 2021

I enjoy helping others but the communication aspect can be a bit challenging.

What are the best parts of the job?

I get to help people, which is what fulfills me. It's awesome to make clients feel happy.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Communication with clients can be a challenge.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 10+
Organisation size Self-employed
Travis
Sep 21 2021

Spend time assisting people with their struggles and building relationships.

What are the best parts of the job?

You get to help people out and it allows you to learn about the struggles that some people face.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Sometimes it is quite difficult to communicate with clients.

Read More
Qualification Graduate certificate
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Chantel
Sep 21 2021

Improving people's lives is the most rewarding job.

What are the best parts of the job?

The people I work with — I love interacting with them and helping make their lives just that little bit better.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

I don't really find it challenging! I love it.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 200+ employees
Miranda
Sep 21 2021

Love making a positive difference in my clients' lives.

What are the best parts of the job?

Seeing how I am able to positively impact clients' lives.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Some clients get violet. They have triggers which can be minimised but sometimes something unusual may trigger it.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Disability support in teenagers
Lauren
Sep 21 2021

Helping people despite some communication barriers.

What are the best parts of the job?

For me, helping everyone I can is the best part of the job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

My communication skills aren't strong enough.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 1-3
Organisation size Self-employed
Christie
Sep 25 2021

Like looking after clients when they're not aggressive.

What are the best parts of the job?

Making my clients happy is the best part of my job.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Taking care of clients with high behaviours means you get hurt, and this is hard to work with.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Elena
Sep 25 2021

Love knowing I am improving the lives of others.

What are the best parts of the job?

Being able to improve others quality of life.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Challenging behaviours of some client's can be difficult to manage.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 20-199 employees
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