How to become a Disability Support Worker
Also called: Community Support Worker (Disability), Disability Care Worker, Disability Support, Disability Worker
Provides general household assistance, emotional support and person-centred care to develop individual living skills and enhance community access and social inclusion for people with disability in their own homes.
Main tasks
- Supports people with disability with daily activities such as mobility, housekeeping tasks, personal care, medication and meal preparation
- Negotiates with individuals and families regarding the acceptance of care provided
- Provides emotional support, and assists in managing depression, confusion and grief
- Identifies and facilitates community-based social activities for people with disability
- Assists people with disability to access disability support services
- Supports people with disability with training and employment
- Manages risks and emergencies in a home care setting
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021); Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT33115); Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015); Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121); Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315); Certificate II in Health Support Services (HLT23221); Certificate IV in Community Services (CHC42021); Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (CHC43515)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $91,572 a year
- About 370,200 people work in this job group now, and about 437,200 are projected by 2035. (+18.1%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Disability Support Worker?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Individual Support; Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
How much does a Disability Support Worker earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $91,572 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Disability Support Worker a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 18% by 2035, from about 370,200 to about 437,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Disability Support Worker?
Usually not. Only 19% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Individual Support; Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.
Will AI change the work of a Disability Support Worker?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04