If you enjoy offering care and assistance to a wide range of people in various ways, then a career in disability may be ideal for you. Disability support is a fulfilling and multifaceted job that gives workers the chance to improve their clients’ capability for independent living on a daily basis. No day is ever the same for a disability support worker, but every day is full of opportunities to practise empathy, build connections with people, and engage in meaningful conversations. Disability support workers can really thrive if they consider that empathy can overcome physical constraints.
What are the job responsibilities of a disability support worker?
People with disabilities are supported by disability support workers. They can work in hospitals, specialised care facilities, or at peoples’ homes. They might help a variety of clients, or they might work with one or two clients full-time.
The duties of a disability support worker are as diverse as the demands of each individual client are different. They could offer people company and assistance with chores like shopping or running errands. They could help with tasks of everyday living like eating, dressing, and bathing. Additionally, they might help with chores around the house including cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
There are several disability career options and disability support workers can choose the way they want to work. They can be employed as full-time staff for a particular agency or facility. They also can be self-employed independent workers. The majority of them work full-time, there are also numerous part-time job opportunities available in the field.
What credentials are required to work as a disability support worker?
Disability support workers have no need of any certifications to work in Australia. There are no prerequisites for employment, and 11% of workers have only passed the tenth grade or lower. However, there are a number of credentials that are useful in the industry and obtaining one will increase your appeal as a candidate for positions in disability support.
Certificate III in Individual Support
With a Certificate III in Individual Support, you are ready to offer person-centred, individualised support to people with disabilities. It includes theory and practical training. With the help of this certificate programme, you can work in a care centre or provide home disability support.
This certificate can be earned in as short as 14 weeks, although most programmes last between six months and a year. A minimum of 13 units and 120 hours of work in the community or at home are needed for the certificate. You’ll be an excellent candidate for professions like residential care worker, personal care worker, or disability support worker after earning the certification.
A Certificate III in Individual Support typically costs $2900, but many provinces provide scholarships and other forms of subsidies.
Certificate IV in Disability
A Certificate IV in Disability can help you gain more specialised training to improve your abilities as a disability support worker and give you the freedom to work more independently. You can operate in a supervisory or more specialised capacity thanks to the increased degree of competence in disability support that a Certificate IV grants you.
Most people who receive this degree are currently employed in disability support and are looking to advance their careers. You’ll be qualified for jobs like disability officer or senior personal care assistant after earning a Certificate IV in Disability.
A minimum of 14 units are required for this certificate. The duration of certification programme lasts for one year and costs $4000 on an average. For eligible people, several provinces give subsidies.
What are the job prospects of disability support workers?
After completing your training, you won’t have any trouble obtaining employment as a disability support worker in any part of the country. In Australia, 4.4 million people, or 18% of the total population, have long-term disability. About 32 percent of them, or 1.4 million people, have profound or severe disabilities that prevent them from independent living. As a result, there are many opportunities for disability support workers in Australia. The requirement for labour is anticipated to increase by 25% between 2019 and 2024.
How much salary does a Disability Support Worker receive?
Disability care employees get an average weekly wage of $1265, which is marginally less than the $1460 weekly wage average for all industries.
For those looking for a job as a disability support worker, the chance to support and provide assistance to disabled persons who thrive and live independently can bring a great deal of happiness. Disability support can be the next step for you if you are passionate about working with diverse people in various contexts to deliver person-centred care. MWT Global Academy could guide you in choosing the course that is suitable to you and help you launch a successful career in the Disabled Care sector in Australia.