Kickstart your career in the disability sector
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is increasing the number of people receiving these services as well as creating new jobs and opportunities for workers.
Under Skills NSW, fee-free training for full and part qualification courses are available for job seekers and existing workers looking to upskill or reskill in the disability sector.
Training is fully funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
- Many courses and locations are available across NSW, including online.
- New employees, while formal qualifications are not essential for entry into disability care work, it is highly recommended that you complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) or a Certificate IV in Disability.
- Existing employees in the disability sector can upgrade their qualifications for free. Several full and part qualifications are available.
- Enrolments close on 31 December 2023.
Benefits for new and existing disability support staff
For new staff:
Making a difference to another person’s life is one of the most rewarding things you can do – and that’s something disability support workers do every day.
Other benefits include:
- Access to government-subsidised full and part qualification courses
- A challenging and rewarding career providing support to people living with disability across many settings
- Each day on the job is different to the next
- Work-life balance: the hours vary, so they can be arranged to suit your schedule. This allows a high degree of flexibility to fit a disability support job around study or personal responsibilities.
- Challenge: the work is not always easy, but the personal rewards of changing someone’s life are significant
- Plenty of opportunities: the rollout of the NDIS has resulted in a jobs boom meaning qualified workers are less likely to be out of work
- The industry offers competitive rates of pay and superannuation, as well as the opportunity to ‘salary package’ in some organisations – allowing you to access some of your pay tax-free, which can add thousands of dollars’ worth of benefits to your salary.
For existing staff:
- Access to government-subsidised full and part qualification courses
- Improved job prospects, better pay and conditions
- Up-to-date knowledge and skills meaning better quality of care for people with disability
- Increased confidence and capability in the workplace
- Improved career progression into a team leader or supervisory role within the industry
- Improve the skills base of disability support, which ultimately means better pay and working conditions for everyone.
Possible career pathways to explore
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
- Disability support worker
- Accommodation support worker
- Home care assistant
- Community care worker
- Residential support officer
- Personal carer
- Lifestyle support worker
- Assistant in nursing
Certificate IV in Disability
- Behavioural support officer
- Community based support officer
- Disability team leader/supervisor
- Senior personal care assistant
- Care service team leader.
You may be able to study a fee-free course in disability support if you are:
- 15 years old or over
- no longer at school
- living or working in NSW
- an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.
You do not have to be working in the disability sector or have previous industry experience to access fee-free full qualifications in disability care.
In addition, your eligibility is not affected if you have completed a vocational education and training (VET) course, including a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, as part of your high school education.
No matter who you are, Skills NSW makes it easier to access the training you need to enter this rewarding sector.
You may qualify for a range of discounts including fully-subsidised courses
Answer a few questions so we can calculate your course fees
Interested in short courses?
You can start with a short course (or part qualification) offering new skill sets and a license to fast track your career. Short courses are on nationally accredited subjects and are offered at TAFE NSW, community and private colleges. They can be used as a starting point to complete a full qualification at a later stage.
