
Every day, support workers enable others to lead fulfilling lives, providing vital assistance and supporting independence.
Skilled, stable, support.
Be part of an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Support work is a rewarding career option that provides an invaluable role in communities.
A day in the life of a
disability support worker.
Do you enjoy working with people? Do you like a work environment where you'll learn on the job? Do you enjoy work that has some routine but is also varied? Do you value making a difference through your work?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we want to hear from you!
Around 5.5 million or 21% of Australians were living with a disability in 2022. There are different types of disability including:
Sensory - such as loss of sight and hearing.
Intellectual - like difficulty learning or understanding.
Physical - such as difficulty gripping or incomplete use of legs.
Psychosocial - like nervous, emotional and mental health conditions.
This means that disability support work can include different things depending on what supports the person needs. The disability sector delivers a range of services to meet individual needs and goals. Key services include:
Daily Living Support
Therapy and Allied Health Services
Community and Social Participation
Education, Employment, and Skills Development
Specialist Disability Support
Working in the disability sector, you may support a person with disability in a range of different settings, including:
a person's own home where they may live individually or with others
out and about in the community e.g. at the shops or at the local park
at a centre-based support program (also known as a day and lifestyle program)
at a therapy centre
a person's place of employment
shared living arrangements
respite – temporary/ short-term accommodation
Disability Support Worker Experiences of their Work
Reference: Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) (2022), NDIS Workforce Retention: Findings from the NDIS workforce survey. Available at: https://behaviouraleconomics.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/projects/ndis-workforce-retention-survey.pdf (Accessed: 12 November 2024).