Disability Services

Disability Services aims to improve access, participation and support for people with a disability. A career in disability is a commitment to a stronger and more inclusive community.

The department directly provides and funds disability services in local communities across a variety of settings.

Job Description

Disability support workers provide assistance to people with a disability in their own homes and may be employed to provide:

direct support - supporting people with a disability in their daily lives
case management - planning and problem solving to find the supports people need to live how they want
allied health - professional roles in a range of allied health areas
management - support other staff, manage budgets and guide strategy

Employment settings:

residential services where people live and are supported in houses in the community or a few larger residential facilities
outreach services which support people in their own homes
case management and specialist services like speech therapy and behavior support programs

A day in the life of disability support worker

A career in disability services video transcript

Qualifications

The qualification required depends on what type of work you are doing. Past experience and relevant qualifications will be considered relating to the job you want.

The entry level for a disability services direct care worker is the Certificate IV in Disability Work.

For other roles you may need a tertiary qualification such as social work, psychology or speech pathology.

In some roles within disability services you will be required to hold a Working with Children Check. Full details of the WWCC can be found on the Department of Justice website.

The following roles require this check:

Allied Health workers
Identified Disability Services staff including:

casual staff
staff in respite houses
staff in crisis houses
outreach staff
client services staff
any staff working at a location with clients aged under 18 years.

The relevant job description will state whether the role requires a Working with Children Check.

Salary

The Disability worker classification starting salary is $36,941. There are also allowance rates available for different qualifications and different classifications.