Why become a NDIS disability support worker?

Being a NDIS disability support worker can be a very rewarding experience as you learn new skills and provide critical support to help a person living with disability to live their best life.

Four reasons to become a NDIS disability support worker

1/ Making a difference: this is one of the most significant reasons we hear from people wanting to become a disability support worker. Assisting clients with their daily activities can assist them to build their own capacity and live the life they want to live. It’s quite fulfilling to provide these supports to someone.

2/ Developing connections: spending time with your client/s everyday can help to build meaningful relationships and connections. Whilst maintaining professional boundaries, disability support work supports trusted bonds being developed with client/s you support.

3/ Building your skills: NDIS participants live with a wide variety of support needs and so the role for a disability support worker has a wide range of possibilities! Though many workers spend their time with similar clients, you can broaden your skills and knowledge, working with individuals living with physical, intellectual and/or mental health related disabilities.

4/ Career development: there are now several hundred thousand people working within the NDIS in Australia in a wide range of roles. Being a disability support worker brings you many skills that can help you to transition into other related care sector roles such as mental health or aged care. It can also be a great job to have while studying to undertake a different disability-related role in the future – such as studying social work, occupational therapy or behaviour support.

What will I do as a NDIS disability support worker?

As a disability support worker – whether this is part of SIL or in-home & community support – you will help individuals with disabilities to manage their daily life, participate in community and achieve their personal goals.

This will include working with the individual to build their capacity and support them with:

  • Daily living: personal care, meal preparation, household tasks, support with medication.
  • Community participation: social activities and engaging with community.
  • Transport: supporting them to get to appointments and community access.
  • Employment and education: supporting clients involved in education, job training or employment.
  • Health and wellbeing: supporting clients to attend healthcare services and with their medication administration.

How can I become a NDIS disability support worker?

We recommend that you complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability) to get started. There are various registered training organisations that provide this.

Hope Circle works with participants with mental health or psychosocial disability, so some of our staff have a Certificate IV in Mental Health instead or as well as the Certificate III.

You will be asked to sign that you agree to comply with the NDIS code of conduct.

You are also likely to need a driver’s license, as well as the ability to work in Australia.

You can expect your employer to ask you to complete some screenings (NDIS and Working With Children Check) and there are other training courses we recommend including: First Aid, CPR, medication and the NDIS Worker Orientation Module.

What is the pay rate for a NDIS disability support worker?

Whilst pay rates come under the Fair Work Australia Modern Awards system, you can expect to receive slightly different pay as an hourly rate depending on your level of experience, when you are working and who your employer is.

Like many jobs, your pay rate as a disability support worker can be higher if you have significant experience, higher qualification or are seeking increased responsibilities such as working as team leader. Not every employer will consider this, so it is worth asking about as part of your interview if you have more experience than most.

There are different rates of pay whether during the week (Monday to Friday), or evening, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays – by the time that penalty rates are factored in.

Depending on a client’s needs, you may be asked to work passive or active overnight shifts. An active shift is just like you are working during the day and are expected to work or be available to clients as needed. A passive overnight shift is one where you are paid a fixed rate for a number of hours to stay at a client’s house and may need to get up (for up to 2 hours) as part of the shift.

Want more information?

Hope Circle is looking for passionate and committed Support Workers to join our organisation. We are keen to speak to people that are interested in building their career within the dynamic disability sector.

If you are ready to apply for a new role, then please click here to fill in our contact form and send through a copy of your cover letter and resume.