Becoming a Disability Support Worker in Australia
A career as a disability support worker may be ideal for you if you enjoy offering care and assistance to a range of people in various contexts. Disability support is a fulfilling and multifaceted profession that gives employees the chance to improve their clients’ capacity for independent living on a daily basis.
No day is ever the same for a disability support worker, but every day is full of chances to practise empathy, form connections with people, and engage in meaningful conversations. Disability support workers can thrive if they think that empathy can overcome physical constraints.
Around 6.8 million Australians (40 percent) aged 18 years and over report having a disability or long-term health condition.(Source: https://humanrights.gov.au)
In Australia, 4.4 million people, or 18% of the total population, have a permanent impairment. Of those, 1.4 million, or 32%, have severe or profound disabilities that prevent them from living freely. The proportion of people with impairments has dropped over time, but as the Australian population ages, the likelihood of disability increases for older people. As more people get older and more of them have disabilities, the demand for support workers will rise. In Australia, 50% of adults aged 65 and older have a disability of some kind.
Role of a Disability Support Worker
The duties of a disability support worker are as diverse as the demands of each individual client. They offer 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.
Disability employees can choose how they want to work as well. They could be independent contractors or full-time employees of a facility or organisation. Although the majority are full-time, the industry also has a lot of part-time positions.
How Can a Certificate Course Help You?
With a Certificate IV in Disability, you can become ready to offer person-centered, individualised support to people with disabilities. With the help of this certificate, you can work in a care centre or provide in-home disability support. It includes theory and practical training.
Your training equips you with the knowledge and abilities to perform a support position with a high degree of autonomy in a health care setting or even at home as a personal care worker.
This credential can be earned in as little as 3 months, although most courses last between 3 to 4 months. Principles of support care, identifying healthy bodily systems, and adhering to safe procedures for providing direct client care are all included in the core curriculum.
A wide range of electives for disability care is available if you would like to learn more about issues including person-centered care, strengths-based strategies, and assistive communication devices. A minimum timeframe of working in the community or at home is needed for the completion of the course. After earning the certification in aged care courses online or on campus/blended, you will be able to work as a:
- Residential care worker
- Personal care worker
- Disability support worker
For those looking for a job as a disability support worker, the chance to enable and encourage disabled persons to thrive and live freely can bring a great deal of happiness. Disability assistance can be the next step for you if you are passionate about working with diverse people in various contexts to deliver person-centered care.
With Certificate IV in Disability, you can work as a disability support worker or a personal care assistant, among other professions, to deliver the care required by an elderly.
Related Blog: What does it Feel Like to be a Disability Care Worker?
