If you’re a compassionate person who loves providing support and care for a variety of people in different ways, then a career in disability support could be the right choice for you.
Let’s find out a bit more about this rewarding career path for those who enjoy helping and caring for others – including what the work entails and what you need to know about getting started with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
What you need to know about being a disability support worker
Disability support workers are trained to provide a range of services that can help people with disability live as independently and comfortably as possible. No day is ever the same!
Ultimately, the setting of disability work can vary depending on where the person you support requires assistance. From social care to household chores, a disability support worker can make a huge difference in the lives of those they work with, helping them gain greater independence and improved mental health.
Adrian Terranova, TAFE Gippsland’s Program Manager – Disability, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs, has worked in the sector for 26 years. He said the need for disability support workers has never been higher.
“With one in five people in Australia living with a disability, the industry is crying out for skilled support workers to join this thriving sector and enjoy a fruitful, rewarding career,” Adrian said.
“Put simply, disability support workers provide support to people with disabilities and there are many ways you can do this. Tasks vary depending on the needs of the individual and the workplace, but some basic responsibilities may include social planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, mobility support, transportation and employment support.”
About the NDIS
The NDIS is Australia’s first national scheme for people with disability – providing funding directly to those eligible to access greater independence, new skills, employment or opportunities to participate in their community.
Under the scheme, participants register for a NDIS plan, which allocates them money for the services they personally require. It is projected that by June 2024, there will be over 646,000 NDIS participants.
“The introduction of the NDIS back in 2013 really changed the landscape of the disability sector in Australia – giving people with disabilities more control over how they access support services,” Adrian said.
“This also give disability support workers more options in the way they work. For instance, they can work full-time for an agency or at a facility or they can be self-employed independent workers. There are also many part-time options in the sector.”
How do I become a NDIS support worker in Australia?
If you’re keen to become a support worker within the NDIS, there are a couple of options.
- You could work for a company that provides one-on-one care
- You could register an ABN and work as a sole trader or establish your own small business.
A great place to start learning more about the NDIS is with TAFE Gippsland’s Course in Introduction to the National Disability Scheme (NDIS).
Adrian said the four-week course, available as a Free TAFE course, can be completed online or on campus.
“The course cover topics like health and safety, human rights, putting the NDIS into context in Victoria, supporting a NDIS participant and how to become a direct support worker,” he said.
“You’ll hear from industry experts and gain a clear understanding of how the NDIS works in the real world.”
At TAFE Gippsland, there are numerous study options available to help you gain the necessary experience and knowledge with pathways into disability support including traineeship courses for those who want to learn on the job.
You can also progress to a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), Certificate III in Disability and once completed that, would be eligible for the Certificate IV in Disability, which will allow you to take on more responsibility and move into team leadership and management roles in organisations.
What other skills do I need to be a disability support worker?
Working as a support worker is a rewarding career path suitable for a kind and empathetic person with stellar communication skills.
If you’re interested in becoming a disability support worker, some valuable personal skills you’ll need to succeed include:
- The ability to patiently support people at their own pace.
- The ability to place yourself in another person's position and listen and respond with empathy.
- A friendly, upbeat, and enthusiastic approach.
- The ability to listen to others and appropriately respond to their expressed needs.
- Communicating effectively with the people you support and other support workers is essential to providing quality care.
- A respectful approach to the sensitivities that come with working with people with disabilities.
- Strong time management skills for social, activity, and overall daily planning.
Some other desirable skills that will boost future employability include technical skills and qualifications such as:
- A successful NDIS worker screening check
- First aid certification
- A full driver’s licence.
While there are no required certifications for disability support workers, there are several valuable certifications that will make you a more attractive candidate to employers when applying for disability support roles.
The most important qualification you can attain is a Certificate III or IV in Disability.