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Explore disability careers

Information on different disability support work roles and settings.

Disability support work is about supporting people with disability to achieve their goals and live the life they want.

Each person with disability has different goals and needs that can change over time. The range of roles for a support worker is just as diverse. You might support a person with disability to get dressed and prepare their meals one day and organise a trip to the footy the next day. Or you might be an allied health professional providing therapeutic care and support.

In the disability sector there are many roles and options for employment to suit you.

It’s about matching your unique skills, capabilities and experience with the goals and needs of a person with disability.

Looking for work?

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 NDS CareCareers

The range of jobs available in the disability sector can also be found on career websites such as CareerOne, Ethical Jobs, Indeed and Seek.

Common search terms include: disability jobs, disability support, disability worker, disability support worker allied health professional and NDIS.

Job opportunities are also posted by employers on their websites.

Jobs Victoria

Jobs Victoria services are for people who may face challenges when looking for work, such as:

  • people who have been unemployed for more than 12 months
  • people who are not confident speaking or understanding English
  • people whose personal circumstances make it challenging to find a job.

Find out more about Jobs Victoria.

Examples of disability roles

Case studies

Discover more case studies

Workplace setting

Working in the disability sector, you may support a person with disability in a range of different settings, including:

  • a participant's own private home
  • out and about in the community e.g. at the shops or at the local park
  • at a centre-based support program (also known as a day and lifestyle program)
  • at a therapy centre
  • a participant's place of employment
  • shared living arrangements – permanent/ long-term housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs
  • respite – temporary/ short-term accommodation for people with disability
  • holiday destinations and camps.

Employer type

A career in disability offers flexibility and options regarding employment arrangements, such as:

  • Working for a disability service provider organisation.
  • Employment by a person with disability.
    • Under the NDIS, participants may choose to self-manage their own NDIS plan. This means participants have the flexibility and choice to decide what supports they want to buy to meet their goals. Participants may choose to employ or contract staff directly.
  • Work for Labour Hire, e.g. temporary short-term contracts.
  • Establish your own business and be a sole trader.

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