Explore Care Careers provides an overview of the sector and the range of roles and career opportunities it offers. Includes a range of different resources and stories.

Website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/jobs-hub/care/explore-care-careers#good-fit

https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/resources/articles/carers-week-2024-make-living-making-difference

The National Careers Institute (NCI) supports Australians with reliable and accurate careers information and resources. Their aim is to be a recognised source of independent careers information, collaborating with industry leaders and promoting best practices in careers education nationally.

Website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/nci

Explore working and career options in disability. This webpage describes requirements for different roles, as a basis to understand where you can apply and develop your capabilities and interests.

Website: https://workforcecapability.ndiscommission.gov.au/tools-and-resources/career-development

The carecareers Disability Career Planner shows the steps in career progression so you can plan your next move in the disability sector with confidence and ease. Whether you’re entering the sector, or you already work in disability and are looking to take the next step, the Career Planner shows you your options. You can find out the kinds of skills, knowledge and capabilities you’ll need for your dream job.

Website: https://www.carecareers.com.au/career-planner

The Careers for Carers website matches people interested in working in disability with employers.

Website: https://www.careersforcarers.com.au/jobs/search/roles-disability-care

This is a self-assessment tool for people considering working in the NDIS. It will help you understand the people you might work with and what a role could look like.

This tool is focused on roles that work directly with people with disability. The questions are designed for you to reflect on your attitudes, values, and skills to decide if this work is a good fit for you. The results are based on your input and provide you with general guidance only. You can complete the tool as often as you like. 

Website: https://workforcecapability.ndiscommission.gov.au/tools-and-resources/disability-support-work-fit

📞Ph: 1800 035 544

There are a variety of training opportunities relevant to a career in disability. We have focused on the most popular ones.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

This course covers independence and wellbeing, communication, working with diverse people, legal and ethical requirements, healthy body systems and safe work practices.

Certificate IV in Disability Support

This qualification reflects the role of workers in a range of community settings and clients’ homes, who provide training and support in a manner that empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, self-reliance, community participation and wellbeing. Workers promote a person-centred approach, work without direct supervision and may be required to supervise and/or coordinate a small team.

More information on training options can be found on the your career website:

Website: https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/learn-and-train/courses?locationCode=NT&q=disability&pageNumber=1

Australian Apprenticeships 

Australian Apprenticeships provide a practical pathway to a career in the disability sector with roles including but not limited to Disability Support Worker and Residential Care Officer. Through the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, you may be eligible to access financial support while gaining hands-on experience and a nationally recognised qualification. Apprentices can also access additional support through Apprentice Connect Australia Providers to receive services based on their individual needs which may include mentoring, career guidance and peer support.

Website: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.au

Y Careers Apprenticeships

Y Careers is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping young people gain skills and find meaningful careers in the education and care sector. Partnering with employers, we offer traineeships that prepare young people for sustainable and fulfilling careers.  

Website:https://ycareers.org.au/

📞 Ph: 1300 198 701

Interested in a career in disability. Many locations across Australia offer Fee-Free Training in Disability and Individual Support (Disability). These include Certificate II, III and IV options. Check the Fee-Free website link below to see whether you are eligible for 2025.

Alternatively, click on your location in the State based resources map above to see what training is being offered near you in 2025.

Website: https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/fee-free-tafe

The NDIS Commission has created free online training modules that help NDIS workers understand their role and obligations and better support people with disability. When you complete a module, you’ll get a certificate of completion. The certificate is valid indefinitely. More information about the training and to sign up to do the modules can be accessed at:

Website: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workforce/online-training-modules

📞Ph: 1800 035 544

Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government (dewr.gov.au).  Aims to improve access to training for all adult Australians seeking to build their language, literacy, numeracy and digital literacy skills.

Website: https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-education-and-employment

States and Territories and Employers of Disability Support Workers may have different screening requirements. General information about worker screening can be found at:

Website: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workers/worker-screening

📞 Ph: 1800 035 544

State and Territory worker screening units, on behalf of the NDIS Commission, assess whether a person who works, or seeks to work, with people with disability poses a risk to them. A worker will either be cleared or excluded from working in certain roles with people with disability.

Go to the worker screening unit in your state or territory by clicking on the website link below.

Alternatively, click on your location in the State based resources map above to see where you can apply to get your worker screening.

Australian Capital Territory: Access Canberra

New South Wales: Service NSW

Northern Territory: SAFE NT

Queensland: Disability Worker Screening

South Australia: Department of Human Services Screening Unit

Tasmania: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

Victoria: Department of Justice and Community Safety

Western Australia: Department of Communities

Information on getting a National Police Check can be found through the Australian Federal Police website or at your local police station:

Website:

https://www.afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks

The Social and Community Services Award covers employers and their employees who fit within the classifications of the award including disability support work. The website outlines the pay and conditions under this award.

Website: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/awards/awards-summary/ma000100-summary

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.  

Website: https://www.ndis.gov.au

📞Ph: 1800 800 110

The NDIS Commission regulates NDIS services and supports with nationally consistent systems, protections and education. It:

a) looks at the safety and quality of supports and services funded by the NDIS

b) guides providers and works to follow the Code of Conduct and NDIS practice standards

c) looks at fair pricing for NDIS-funded supports and services

d) guides providers in using behaviour management plans to reduce restrictive practices

e) receives and actions complaints from people with disability who have concerns about the safety and quality of NDIS funded supports and services.

Website: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au

📞Ph: 1800 035 544

United Workers Union

United Workers Union (UWU) is the union for over 1 in 4 Australian workers, we cover over 45+ different industries – including disability support workers in every state and territory except Victoria and Tasmania. 

Our Union is made up of over 150,000 members standing together for better pay and conditions, respect, secure jobs and a fairer Australia – are you in?

Website: https://unitedworkers.org.au/

Australian Services Union

Representing the interests of approximately 135,000 members across the country, the Australian Municipal, Administrative, Clerical and Services Union, trading as the Australian Services Union or, just simply, the ASU, is one of the largest trade unions in Australia. It represents disability support workers.

Website: http://www.asu.asn.au/

Health Services Union

The Health Services Union is a specialist health union with around 102,000 members working in the healthcare and social assistance industries across Australia.

Website: https://hsu.net.au/

The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) provides people with disability access to effective advocacy support. This support promotes and protects the rights of people with disability by helping to remove barriers to their full and equal participation in the community.

Website: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/national-disability-advocacy-program-ndap

📞Ph: 1800 643 787

Disability Advocacy Network Australia

DANA is the national representative body for a network of independent disability advocacy organisations throughout Australia.

Website: https://www.dana.org.au

📞Ph: 1300 186 453

Support Workers Association of Australia

The Support Workers Association of Australia - provide advocacy, resources, and a community that’s got your back, we empower support workers to step up, own their confidence, and deliver care that truly changes lives.

Website: https://www.supportworkerassociation.org/

The Disability Gateway has information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.

Website: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/

State and Territory Governments have dedicated web resources around disability services.

NSW website:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/community-services/disability-services

NT website:

https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/disability-services

QLD website:

https://www.dcssds.qld.gov.au/our-work/disability-services

SA website:

https://dhsdisabilityservices.sa.gov.au/home

Tasmania website:

https://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cpp/community-and-disability-services

Victoria website: https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-careers-work-matters

https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-support-worker

WA website:

https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/disability-services

National Disability Services (NDS)

The NDS has developed and compiled a wide range of workforce resources.

Website: https://nds.org.au/workforce-hub

The following three resources are also accessible via the interactive resources map above:

Think Support WA website:

ThinkSupport (WA)

Work with Purpose Tas website:

https://workwithpurpose.au/ (TAS)

Active Support Training:

Developed by La Trobe University this free resource This training resource is for disability support workers. It is about Active Support – A way to support people with intellectual disabilities to engage in meaningful activities and social interactions.

 https://www.everymomenthaspotential.com.au/

La Trobe University Living With Disabilities Research Centre:

Has a variety of evidence based resources and webinars! for people interested in finding out more.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/lids

Down Syndrome Australia:

Provides a variety of resources about Downs Syndrome.

https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/blog/resource-category/education/

Fragile X Association of Australia:

There are some webinars to increase knowledge around Fragile X.

https://www.fragilex.org.au/fx-webinars/

Gateway to Industry Schools Program Qld website:

Gateway to Industry Schools Program for Community Services Project (QLD)

Jobs and Skills Australia

The Jobs and Skills Australia role is to engage, advise and assist the Australian Government and other stakeholders in decision-making on the current, emerging and future skills and workforce needs of the Australian economy. To explore more about the future of the disability support sector, the website has a number of tools available including the Jobs and Skills Atlas.

Website:

https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/

https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/jobs-and-skills-atlas

Workforce Australia:

Is a place Australians can search and apply for jobs or find more information on their pathway to employment.

Website:

https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/individuals/

Businesses can also get help to find and hire staff, identify suitable candidates, help potential candidates understand your business or industry, work with you to understand your skill and staffing needs and help you start and grow your business.

Website: https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/businesses/help/hire/providers/

HumanAbility:

HumanAbility is the Jobs and Skills Council that has a focus on the Care and Support sector - including disability.  HumanAbility provide leadership to address skills and workforce challenges for the industry.

Website:

https://humanability.com.au/