Top NDIS Training Resources for Effective Disability Support Workers

Working as a disability support worker can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career. While you don’t necessarily need any formal training to get started in the disability sector, it often helps to have completed a relevant qualification so you can provide the best possible care for your clients. Plus, training and certifications can give you a competitive edge and make you a more attractive candidate for potential employers.

So, if you’re considering a career as an NDIS support worker or you’re looking to enhance your skills, here’s a list of training resources and courses to help you level up your knowledge and skills as a support worker.

Qualifications and certifications for disability support workers

In Australia, disability support workers aren’t required to hold any certifications for their role. That said, there are several qualifications that go a long way to helping you get a job in disability services. Basic qualifications can be completed at TAFE, but if you’d like to pursue a career in social work, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree at university first.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the courses you might like to consider as a disability support worker.

Certificate III in Individual Support

A Certificate III in Individual Support is an entry-level qualification that provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to provide individual support across both disability and aged care settings. A Cert III in Individual Support takes roughly six to nine months to complete in a full-time capacity up to three days a week.

Certificate IV in Disability

As an intermediate-level qualification, a Certificate IV in Disability is the next step up from a Cert III in Individual Support. This course will equip you with a range of specialised skills and knowledge to allow you to work in various settings supporting people with disabilities to meet their goals. This qualification can be completed in nine months with full-time study, two days a week.

Diploma of Community Services

A Diploma of Community Services is an advanced qualification that will provide you with high-level skills needed to work with at-risk groups within the community. This diploma takes one year to complete at a full-time capacity, 5 days a week.

Bachelor of Social Work

A Bachelor of Social Work is an undergraduate degree designed to prepare you for a career in social work and related fields. It equips you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to help individuals, families and communities address challenges and improve their quality of life. This degree involves four years of study full-time.

Additional certifications

As a disability support worker, you’ll often need to complete additional certifications, including a:

• First Aid Certificate,
• Working with Children Check,
• Police Check, and
• NDIS Worker Screening Check.

NDIS training modules

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers several free online training modules to equip NDIS workers with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, enhancing their ability to support people with disability. Developed in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, including people with disability, NDIS providers, and workers, they reflect real-world insights and best practices.

Worker Orientation Module: Quality, safety and you

This interactive online course focuses on worker obligations under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Code of Conduct from the perspective of NDIS participants.

All registered NDIS providers are required to include this module as part of their induction process. Existing workers should also be encouraged to complete this free course as part of their ongoing learning and to maintain compliance with the NDIS Code of Conduct.

It comprises four modules and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

New worker – NDIS induction modules

This online course has been specifically developed to support providers with their induction process for staff who are unfamiliar with the disability sector. It consists of eight online modules designed to equip new workers with essential information to begin their careers in the disability sector, including:

1. Disability awareness
2. Privacy and confidentiality
3. Safe workplace
4. NDIS Code of Conduct and Dignity of risk
5. Incident management
6. Know the person
7. Risk identification and management  
8. Managing challenging situations

This training should be provided in addition to specific onboarding activities for new disability support workers.

Supporting effective communication

Effective communication plays a key role in supporting NDIS participants to take control and make decisions about their own lives. With this in mind, the National Disability Insurance Scheme offers online modules to help support workers communicate effectively with their clients.

This free module includes four topics and takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes to complete.

Supporting safe and enjoyable meals

Under the NDIS Code of Conduct, NDIS workers must deliver supports and services safely, competently, and with care and expertise. This includes supporting clients and people with disabilities to enjoy a safe mealtime. To ensure disability support workers are equipped with the skills they need, the National Disability Insurance Scheme has created a free course to equip NDIS workers with the skills and knowledge to support safe and enjoyable mealtimes.

This online learning module covers four topics and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

National Disability Services training and development

National Disability Services (NDS) offers a range of training and development solutions tailored to the unique needs of the disability sector. The NDS Workforce Essentials e-learning library features over 100 key resources, tools and learning materials created by NDS experts for disability support workers and providers. Additionally, NDS provides a wide selection of online and in-person workshops in collaboration with subject matter experts to support the ongoing professional development of those in the disability sector.

NGO Training Centre

The NGO Training Centre specialises in providing disability support worker training for individuals and organisations operating in the sector. All courses offered through the NGO Training Centre comply with the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with a certificate awarded upon completion of each course.

Tips for choosing the right training course

As a disability support worker, completing the proper training will equip you with the skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective support for your clients. With so many courses out there, choosing the right course can be challenging.

Here are a few tips to help you decide:

• Align your training with career goals and specific client needs,
• Look for relevant accreditation and recognised certification,
• Consider the flexibility and accessibility of courses offered online and in-person,
• Check if your employer offers professional development funding,
• Prioritise programs that reflect the latest industry standards and regulations, and
• Seek recommendations from industry peers who have completed the course.

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