In the next three years, the demand for disability support workers in Australia will double. 60,000 new workers are desperately needed to enter the sector to cope with the strong growth of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Disability Support Workers make a real impact on the everyday life of Australians by providing support in the home, in day programs and in the community. Although the exact needs vary between individuals, unlike many other sectors, the demand in the disability sector does not fluctuate. Disability Support Workers are required to assist with everything from transport to meal preparation, social activities or personal care - the demand is always there.
Part of the need for more Disability Support Workers is due to the NDIS funding providing further access to service options and choice of care for persons with a disability, it’s a new era in disability support in Australia and the workforce needs to grow to meet the needs. Also, an increased need for soft skills in the workplace is driving demand for people who have excellent communication, time-management, listening, empathy, decision-making and problem-solving skills. For many years the soft skills have been overshadowed by an emphasis on hard skills in the workplace, but the pendulum is swinging, a recent study published by Deloitte predicts that soft skill occupations will make up two-thirds of all jobs by 2030, in short - the disability sector is trending up.
Right now, the workforce just cannot keep up with the demand for Disability Support Workers, which makes it an excellent time to consider a career change into this rewarding role as opportunities abound!
Here are our top five reasons why becoming a Disability Support Worker is a clever career move:
Former lawyer turned Edmen Disability Support Worker, Tahlia, recently changed careers from corporate to care and says that the most exciting part for her is that she can empower and help others. She values the ability to learn along the way and the flexible nature of the role. When asked for advice for anyone wanting a career in disability support work Tahlia’s advice was simple; ‘Dive right in and do it!’
If you're thinking about a career in Disability Support and want to know how you can kickstart your career in the sector, check out this blog for everything you need to know about getting qualified.