Disability Support Workers, the main drivers of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, are responsible for a wide range of tasks.
NDIS Participants receive funding in their NDIS plan to engage these NDIS Support Workers in fulfilling their goals, which include domestic cleaning, personal care, meal preparation, feeding, medication assistance, gardening, community access and more.
This variety of tasks showcases the comprehensive support provided by Disability Support Workers to the community.
Types of Support Worker
Type 1: Independent Support Workers
These support workers work on ABN and for themselves. You can hire them directly from sources like Mable, Indeed, Seek, Gumtree, Like Family, etc.
Most of the time, NDIS Participant is responsible for running a background check on them, negotiating with them, and getting the services on board.
It is the responsibility of the NDIS Participant to arrange the back-up shift.
Type 2: Through a Company:
These support workers work for a disability service provider.
It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure that their support workers are up to date in terms of qualifications and have passed the background check.
When necessary, they can also arrange additional training for their support workers.
It is the provider’s responsibility to arrange a back-up shift.
Qualifications Required for NDIS Support Workers
NDIS Support Workers are diverse in qualifications, experience, and skill sets.
I believe the minimum qualifications for Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, or Certificate IV in Mental Health must be completed by disability support workers before entering the Health Care Industry and NDIS.
Additionally, they can back up their qualifications with the skill set: gardening, sewing, cooking, makeup, budgeting, organising, hairdressing etc.
These skills will help disability support workers engage with NDIS Participants more effectively and help them learn and explore some life skills they can use to have a professional life in the future.
Some disability service providers provide training programs for NDIS support workers.
These programs help the support worker understand the specific needs of the particular client.
How to Become an NDIS Support Worker?
If you are new to the Industry and want to become an NDIS Support Worker, enrolling in a Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, or Certificate IV in Mental Health is the best way to start.
This will allow you to understand the Industry and people with disabilities.
It will also help you explore what area you are interested in.
Some other certificates you will require to become an NDIS Support Worker are:
- Complete NDIS Modules: These are free NDIS worker training module and resources available on NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/trainingcourse.
- NDIS Screening Check: It is mandatory for everyone to get the NDIS screening check and more information is available on: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/workers/worker-screening/ndis-worker-screening-check.
- Police Check.
- Working With Children Check.
- Vaccination Certificate.
- Medication Administration Certificate.
- Covid Training Certificate.
- Australian Driving Licence.
Roles and Responsibilities of NDIS Support Workers
The roles and responsibilities of NDIS disability support workers are incredibly diverse, reflecting the unique needs of each NDIS Participant they assist.
These needs and requirements are as varied as the individuals themselves.
Some of the typical Roles and Responsibilities of NDIS Support Workers include:
- Providing personal care, which can include showering, dressing, feeding, and other tasks.
- Providing community access such as shopping assistance, appointment assistance, etc.
- Providing transportation.
- Providing companionship.
- Providing emotional support.
- Assisting with medication.
- Assisting with filling out paperwork.
- Assist NDIS Participants with learning additional skills that can help them grow personally and professionally, such as gardening, cooking, hairdressing, administration skills, money handling, traffic rules, assessing public transport, engaging independently in the community, and more.
Specialised Duties of NDIS Support Worker
There are many Disability Support Workers who undergo special training to support the changing needs of their NDIS Participants, and some of the special duties they do are:
- Assisting NDIS Participants in their regular training with Allied Health Professionals.
- Undergoing special training with a Behavior Support Specialist (BSS) to assist NDIS Participants with a Behavior Support Plan.
- Undergoing special training with professionals to assist NDIS Participants using specific assistive technologies such as Sara Stedy.
- Assisting NDIS Participants during their job or volunteer training.
- Undergoing special training with professionals such as psychologist, counsellor or BSS or other allied health professionals to assist NDIS Participants with Autism and Down Syndrome or other rare disabilities.
In Australia, many people have a rare disease or rare disability.
And only a few people are trained to assist them.
At CARE WITH US, we believe that with the proper training, we can help anyone.
Our support team is passionate about learning and growing with You.
We provide comprehensive support, understanding the importance of training and working with professionals who regularly support NDIS Participants.
We undergo training with them and ensure that when they are at our NDIS Short-Term Accommodations/Respite, their needs are met and fulfilled without their loved ones to worry about their health and wellbeing.
This is very dear to us.
NDIS Code of Conduct for Support Workers
There are seven NDIS Codes of Conduct for Support Workers, and every worker, whether an Independent Support Worker or through a disability service provider, must abide by these conduct:
- As an NDIS support worker, your role is crucial in upholding the rights of individuals to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making. This is not just a legal requirement, but a fundamental aspect of your job.
- As an NDIS support worker, you must respect the privacy of people with disabilities.
- As an NDIS support worker, you must provide support and services safely and competently, with care and skill.
- As an NDIS support worker, you must Act with integrity, honesty and transparency.
- As an NDIS support worker, it’s vital that you promptly raise and act on any concerns that may affect the quality and safety of the support and services provided to people with disability. Your swift action can make a significant difference.
- As an NDIS support worker, it’s your responsibility to take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse of people with disability. These are serious issues that require your attention and action.
- As an NDIS support worker, you must take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
Who can be an NDIS Support Worker?
For those with a passion for helping others, the role of an NDIS Support Worker offers a rewarding career path.
It’s important to note that with the right qualifications like Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, or Certificate IV in Mental Health, you can start your professional journey and gradually advance to support people with higher needs.
This is a field where you can continually learn and grow, and having the right qualifications empowers you to make a significant difference in the lives of NDIS Participants.
In my work life, I have seen so many people who have become Disability Support Workers, and these people were from different backgrounds.
But I have also seen non-genuine people becoming support workers.
These people can make NDIS Participants feel unsafe and violent.
If you are an NDIS Participant or a family member of an NDIS Participant and looking to hire a Disability Support Worker but need help on how to find one and what the right questions to ask, we are here to support you.
Feel free to reach out to us at CARE WITH US on 0478637760 or info@carewithus.com.au.
We will send you a questionnaire checklist that will guide you in hiring reliable and qualified support workers for yourself or your loved ones.
We can also share our insight on how to hire a disability service provider or Independent Support Workers safely.
NDIS Respite/STA Organiser & Planner in Victoria
I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Melbourne and have dedicated my career to supporting NDIS participants. With extensive experience in providing Respite and Short-Term Accommodation services, this journey has been both personally and professionally enriching. It has allowed me to meet remarkable individuals within the NDIS community and continuously learn and grow alongside them.