Start your disability career

There is no formal requirement to have a qualification to start your career in disability. However, employers commonly indicate a preference or have a requirement for candidates with one or more of the following:

• First Aid certificate
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
• Working with Children Check (WCC)
• current driver’s licence
• food safety certificate

There are a range of courses to help you progress to more advanced roles that need a qualification. Some employers may have a preference or requirement for these.

Qualifications that can help you build and further a career in the disability sector:

• Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme
• Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
• Certificate III in Community Services
• Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate IV in Disability
• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
• Certificate IV in Mental Health
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
• Diploma of Community Services
• Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

Some courses may be eligible for financial support, visit Free TAFE for more information.

There are also accredited training courses to support advancing a career in disability. Visit Targeting Quality Training and the Victorian Skills Gateway for more information.

Some of the skills and attributes employers in the disability sector often look for, include:

• interest in supporting people reach their potential
• effective verbal and written communication skills
• good interpersonal skills
• initiative
• problem-solving skills/solution-focused approach
• teamwork and collaboration
• planning and organising skills
• literacy, basic numeracy and computer skills
• attention to detail
• reliable, dependable, trustworthy and flexible.

Right now, there are a range of jobs for people wanting to work with people with disability.

National Disability Services (NDS) CareCareers

You can also visit the NDS CareCareers web page for more information and to view available jobs.

Visit the NDS CareCareers web page

JobAccess

JobAccess is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers.

NDIS supports in employment

The NDIS can fund supports in employment for NDIS participants who require extra support to pursue their employment goals.

If you're starting work for a registered NDIS provider in a risk assessed role, you will need an NDIS Clearance before you start. Visit the NDIS Worker Screening Check for more information.

The Disability Worker Regulation Scheme aims to strengthen the quality of the disability workforce and provide better protections for people with disability in Victoria.

This includes:

• Voluntary disability worker registration (see below)
• the Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct
• Mandatory notifications
• A complaints service.

The Scheme is overseen by the Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) and the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria.

Visit the Victorian Disability Worker Commission for more information.

Voluntary disability worker registration

Voluntary disability worker registration supports professionalisation, safety and quality of the Victorian disability workforce.

Registered disability workers are independently assessed as safe, skilled and professional by the Disability Worker Registration Board of Victoria.

Apply for registration on the VDWC website.