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Disability support worker

Find out more about working as a disability support worker and the possible pathways to job opportunities.

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Disability support workers support people with disabilities in their day to day activities. They are in high demand across the state.

Find out what a disability support worker does and the related Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses and pathways you can take to secure a job.

What is a disability support worker?

Disability support workers care for adults or children with disabilities. You may care for individuals in their own homes, or in a care facility. You’ll offer companionship and emotional support, and help them connect with others. You may also take them on outings, and you’ll help with their personal care needs.

If you are supporting them in their home, you may help with tasks like shopping, cleaning and meal preparation.

Find out more about disability support workers(opens in a new window) and these related jobs on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

Explore these related TAFE and training courses on the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window):

You may be eligible for government funding to help pay for your course.

Median salary

The median weekly earnings for aged and disabled carers in Australia is $1,564.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia(opens in a new window)

Note this salary is current as of January 2025 and is indicative only. A range of salaries apply to different roles across the industry.

Job demand in Victoria

Below are the employment forecasts for aged and disabled carer jobs in Victoria. Figures show the number of workers in 2024 and the new workers expected to enter the workforce by 2027 and 2034.

‘New workers expected’ accounts for workers adding new jobs to the economy and replacing retirees over the next 3 and 10 years. These projections are estimates only. There will be additional jobs available as people move between jobs and industries.

Specific data is not available for disability support workers.

Region Workers 2024 New workers expected by 2027 New workers expected by 2034
Victoria 69,888 13,167 47,962
Melbourne – inner metropolitan 3,886 828 2,842
Melbourne – inner south-east metropolitan 5,530 946 3,353
Melbourne – southern metropolitan 10,824 1,990 7,223
Melbourne – northern metropolitan 9,464 1,951 7,350
Melbourne – eastern metropolitan 9,497 1,660 6,048
Melbourne – western metropolitan 6,968 1,627 6,000
Ballarat and surrounds (Central Highlands) 2,831 520 1,883
Bendigo, Echuca and surrounds (Loddon Campaspe) 3,718 664 2,431
Geelong, Colac and surrounds (Barwon) 5,574 1,102 4,108
Gippsland 3,861 673 2,503
Horsham and surrounds (Wimmera Southern Mallee) 849 125 419
Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounds (Mallee) 1,587 232 776
Shepparton, Seymour and surrounds (Goulburn) 1,639 266 977
Wangaratta, Wodonga and surrounds (Ovens Murray) 1,694 280 1,038
Warrnambool, Hamilton and surrounds (Great South Coast) 1,967 302 1,012

Source: Victorian Skills Authority Employment Projections Dashboard

Resources to plan your next steps

Visit our community services industry profile to find out about:

Explore growing industries in your region

Training and careers in your region

Explore training, skills and job opportunities in your area of Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of job you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Training and careers in growing industries

Learn about high demand industries in Victoria. Find out where you could work, what kind of jobs you could do, and what training you’ll need.

Updated 18 December 2024

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