How to become a Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers provide care, supervision and support for people with disabilities in the home, residential establishments, clinics and hospitals. They also work with other health professionals to maximise the individual's physical and mental wellbeing. They also provide companionship and emotional support, and when possible, promote independence and community participation.
Personal requirements for a Disability Support Worker
- Patient, flexible and understanding
- Supportive and caring nature
- Commitment to the rights of people with disabilities to live dignified lives
- Able to accept responsibility
- Good communication skills
- Able to work as part of a team
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Able to perform domestic duties efficiently
Education & Training for a Disability Support Worker
You can work as a disability support worker without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications or experience working with people who require care. You may like to consider a VET qualification. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. Obtaining a Certificate III or IV in disability care may be very beneficial to receiving employment opportunities.You can also become a disability support worker through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.
Additional information
To work with children, you must obtain a Working with Children Check, National Police Certificate and Provide First Aid Certificate. A drivers licence and form of transport is essential for those providing community and home support care.
Duties & Tasks of a Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers:
- Implement care programs for those in residential establishments
- Provide in-home support with health issues and daily living tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, transport and budgeting
- Assist with the delivery of activities to enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of those in their care
- Interview clients and assess and review the extent of difficulties
- Ensure clients are washed, dressed, fed and ready for educational and recreational activities
- Assist clients during domestic activities such as eating meals and showering
- Provide companionship and support during daily activities
- Cook and serve meals, clean premises, wash, iron and perform other household tasks
- Assist people with self-medication
- Work with a team of health professionals, family, friends and carers to implement a program of support.
Tasks
- Waking children and ensuring they are washed, dressed, fed and ready for educational and recreational activities
- Supervising and arranging activities to enhance the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of children in residential care
- Ensuring security of refuge
- Referring residents of refuges for health and welfare assistance
- Organising refuge accommodation
- Planning and implementing programs of supervision and care for children in residential care
- Maintaining discipline, enforcing regulations and behaviour standards, compiling disciplinary reports and assisting in implementing remedial measures
- Supervising children during domestic activities such as eating meals and showering
- Providing emotional support to residents of refuges
Working conditions for a Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers work in private homes and community establishments. They may be required to work evenings, weekends and public holidays and may be required to live on the premises. Some positions may be casual.
Employment Opportunities for a Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers are employed by community health centres, local government authorities, private hospitals, private residences and multidisciplinary health centres in rural areas.
Specializations
Home Care Worker
A home care worker provides in-home assistance and care for people unable to care for themselves and/or their families because of sickness, disability or old age.
Attendant Care Worker
An attendant care worker concentrates on providing personal care assistance to people with disability in the home or workplace. These duties may include bathing, lifting, moving, dressing, grooming, exercising or feeding people with disability.
Attendant Care Worker
An attendant care worker concentrates on providing personal care assistance to people with disability in the home or workplace. These duties may include bathing, lifting, moving, dressing, grooming, exercising or feeding people with disability.
Disability Support Worker
Disability support workers provide care, supervision and support for people with disabilities in the home, residential establishments, clinics and hospitals. They also work with other health professionals to maximise the individual's physical and mental wellbeing. They also provide companionship and emotional support, and when possible, promote independence and community participation.
Home Care Worker
A home care worker provides in-home assistance and care for people unable to care for themselves and/or their families because of sickness, disability or old age.
Average age
38 years
Future Growth
Moderate
Gender Share
69% female
Average full-time
46 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,341
Skill level rating
Lower skill
Unemployment
Average unemployment
Full-Time Share
52% Full-Time
Employment Size
3,300 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.3%
NSW: 20.5%
NT: 5.5%
QLD: 23.9%
SA: 6.6%
TAS: 1.8%
VIC: 21.6%
WA: 18.7%
Age brackets
15-19: 3.6%
20-24: 17.4%
25-34: 23.3%
35-44: 16.4%
45-54: 18%
55-59: 9%
60-64: 6.7%
65 and Over: 5.5%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 20.6%
Bachelor degree: 19.6%
Certificate III/IV: 18%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 7.8%
Year 10 and below: 8%
Year 11: 3.6%
Year 12: 22.4%
