Disability support work is a sector on the rise. It’s no surprise when you consider that 1 in 5 Australians have disabilities, many in need of help to complete daily tasks.
If you love the idea of supporting people in need, then a career in disability support could be right up your street. And here’s the good news: there are multiple reasons to pursue this type of work and reap the many rewards it promises.
In this article, you’ll learn more about a career in disability work, including our top ten benefits to pursuing a career as a Disability Support Worker.
So, you’re considering a career in disability support work. Congratulations! It can be tough deciding on which vocation to follow, especially if you’re a school leaver who’s new to the big wide world of working and not clear on your next steps. Or perhaps you’re already working elsewhere in healthcare – maybe in a completely different industry altogether – and know you want a change but cannot decide on what!
There are lots of reasons to choose a career in the disability sector, and one of the most popular jobs is the Disability Support Worker role (or DSW, for short). People in this role are directly involved in supporting individuals with disabilities, providing essential care and assistance to help them maintain independence and improve their quality of life.
From supporting daily activities like personal care to accompanying clients at social events, DSWs make a key difference to the lives of those in their care. And with strong job prospects, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, it’s a career with exponential rewards, both financial and personal.
Ten Reasons to Start Your Disability Support Worker Career
If you’re wondering about becoming a DSW, we would say it’s a sound choice – and we’ll give you our top ten reasons why!
Optimum job security in a growth sector
The rise in people with disabilities – physical or cognitive – and increased recognition of disability rights has caused the numbers seeking the support of a carer to grow.
With 1 in 5 Australians now impacted by disability – and 8% of the population severely impaired – there has never been a greater need for qualified individuals to support them. Put simply, Disability Support Workers are in high demand, and the opportunities for work are on the up.
Therefore, if you’re considering a career as a Disability Support Worker, you can expect the growth in this sector to continue at all levels of employment – particularly on the frontline, where DSWs take direct responsibility for the wellbeing of those with disabilities.
A fast track to employment
Unlike some healthcare roles – doctors or dentists, for example – a career in disability work does not take several years of preparation or study. Some employers even provide on-the-job training to help enable their staff to support their clients with disabilities; although most still prefer you complete a formal qualification first.
Consider completing an entry-level course, such as the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), which provides all the essential skills for DSW jobs. The course typically takes under 6 months to complete, so you can be fully qualified and apply for jobs in the sector in less than a year.
Australia-wide job opportunities
Search for disability work on an online job board like Seek, and you will quickly see how these jobs are everywhere – thousands of them at that! And that’s fantastic news for anyone wanting to work in the disability sector, particularly if you don’t want to move town, city or state purely for work purposes.
So, no need to grab the suitcase from under the bed or up in the attic just yet. Wherever you are based in Australia, rest assured there are jobs for hard-working, trained DSWs like you!
A range of responsibilities
If you like variation in your job, then working as a Disability Support Worker will suit you to a tee.
First, there are the daily duties to ensure the individual you support is taken care of personally – like helping with their hygiene care, taking medication, and preparing meals. Then there are the tasks associated with getting out and about, like transportation to and from social engagements, medical appointments and shopping for groceries or personal goods. For individuals with severe disabilities, specialised care might be required too.
All up, every day looks different to the previous one when you work as a DSR!
Multiple work environments (in homes, in facilities, in the community)
If you’re concerned about a job that puts you in one place rigidly, this rarely happens as a Disability Support Worker.
For starters, because the responsibilities vary, you will frequently find yourself moving in between your client’s home and various settings in the community. And that’s if you’re working with people in their homes, which isn’t always the case.
While many DSWs provide in-home support helping individuals maintain independence, others work in residential care facilities, including aged care homes, offering around-the-clock assistance to those reliant on more comprehensive care. There are also support workers based in the community, helping clients engage in social, recreational, or work activities to foster inclusion and connection.
So, if you value a range of work environments, a career as a Disability Support Worker can be extremely beneficial.
High job satisfaction
There is no question, supporting people with disabilities can have its challenges. Yet many individuals working as a DSW find their role to be rewarding and impactful.
A 2023 report indicated that over half (59%) of the frontline support workers interviewed agreed to feeling satisfied in their role. What’s more, the satisfaction levels were higher again (73%) for senior leaders working in the same industry, suggesting that people become even happier with their work as they progress through their career in the disability sector.
Strong financial rewards…
Being accountable for someone’s daily welfare can be a big responsibility. It can also be incredibly demanding, particularly looking after those with disabilities, impacting your physical and mental health.
As such, the Fair Work Commission has set out a national standard for people working in the disability sector to ensure the pay rates offered to DSWs are always respectable.
It’s tricky to confirm an absolute salary for a DSW since this figure is dependent on several factors, such as where you live in Australia, your qualifications, experience and years of service. Who you work for can also make a significant difference to your salary, with private employers paying different amounts to a public service provider. Yet thanks to the Fair Work Commission, you will earn at least the minimum rate for your work, which you can learn more about here.
…And personal rewards too!
It’s fair to say, when you take on a role supporting others, there is so much to gain personally as well as financially.
This is certainly the case as a Disability Support Worker, with many individuals finding deep fulfillment in making a genuine difference in their clients’ lives. The role provides a unique opportunity to foster meaningful connections, and many workers report a sense of pride and purpose in helping others overcome challenges. The gratitude and joy expressed by clients only enhances these feelings further.
It’s no wonder this career is often described as humbling and inspirational, offering workers a profound sense of accomplishment.
Extensive future pathways
Even people who love their work want to change things up at some stage, and it’s no different in the disability sector. Whether it’s staying in disability work or moving into another area of healthcare, there are many ways you can take your Disability Support Worker career path further once you are ready for change.
For instance, after supporting one client in their home, you might decide to move into a role where you’re supporting several during the course of your week. Or perhaps you will choose to move away from direct home support into a role that’s based in a community setting. There are also team leader and manager roles available, as well as many office-based disability jobs where your tasks become more administrative. You can even consider transferring to a support work role in another area such as Aged Care. There are many, many work options for qualified and experienced DSWs!
A truly purposeful career
If finding purposeful work matters to you, you’re far from alone, with meaningful employment becoming more attractive to today’s employees.
According to SEEK’s Workplace Happiness Index, a strong sense of purpose is a major factor for today’s employees. For many, it’s the number one factor for happiness, often outweighing factors like salary and job security.
Research by the Australian Government also highlights that support workers derive satisfaction from assisting others, with the Victorian Public Sector Commission noting that meaningful work is a key driver of positive employee wellbeing, supporting engagement and satisfaction.
Thankfully, working as a DSW is one of the most purposeful vocations you will find, as you help to improve the lives and independence of people with disabilities.
Transferable skills you can take anywhere!
Working as a DSW relies on many practical, personal and social skills.
Things like being an effective communicator, patient, with problem-solving abilities and emotional resilience. Then there’s the importance of being organised, practical and supportive – not to mention physically fit and capable of manual handling.
When you consider the essential skills and qualities for this role, you can quickly see how these can help in many other vocations too, in and beyond healthcare. Rest assured, all your experience as a Disability Support Worker will put you in great stead if the time ever comes for a change of work direction.
Ready to Start Your Career in Disability Support Work?
With the demand for skilled individuals constantly rising, a Disability Support Worker career path offers plenty of work opportunities now and into the future, enabling a long and deeply satisfying career.
If you like the sound of this role, why not start your journey by completing the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) through Collaboration Learning? You’ll enjoy studying at your own pace with expert tutors guiding you all the way. Most of our students complete this government subsidised course and become work-place ready within six months!
Start your journey and arrange a chat with a Course and Career Advisor today.