Start your journey in the disability care sector.
This entry-level qualification provides you with an introduction to a career as a disability support worker. It has been designed to equip you with industry-specific skills to enable a smooth transition into a Certificate III in Individual Support or a traineeship within the community services sector.
Learn how to empower people with disability through the implementation of a rights-based service and a person-centred approach. Throughout this course, you will learn about effective communication, how to organise, provide and monitor support services, follow safe work practices and work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups. You will also learn how to recognise and respond to life-threatening emergencies in line with the Australian Recuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
This course includes units that can be credited towards the Certificate III in Individual Support.
Throughout this course, you will gain skills in:
- Delivering rights-based disability services using a person-centred approach
- Organising, providing and monitoring support services
- Recognising and responding to life-threatening emergencies in line with specified guidelines
- Social and cultural diversity
- Safe work practices
- Communicating with clients, colleagues, management and industry providers
- You are interested in a career in the disability services sector
- You are committed to the rights of people with disabilities
- You have a supportive and caring nature
- You are patient, flexible and understanding
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the tuition fees (plus resource fee) capped at $1,200; or $400 if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. For full details see our Half price courses page.
^ You will pay half price for the course fees on the Lower fees, local skills courses, however other fees may apply such as for resources that are specifically needed for your training.
Not all units and study modes are offered at all campuses. Please check with your local campus.
- You must be 16 years of age or above
- Hold a current National Police Check for mandatory work placement
- You must undertake a selection process upon enrolment to determine your suitability for the program
You must complete 100 hours of work placement within the disability care sector as part of this course. If you are not currently employed in the sector, your lecturer will assist you in finding a suitable placement for this period. During your work placement, you will observe, develop and put your theoretical skills into practice while shadowing a workplace supervisor.
This qualification prepares you for roles such as:
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Disability care worker
It also acts as a bridging course into higher level training.
For more information about job and career pathways, visit JobOutlook(opens in a new tab) or Jobs and Skills WA(opens in a new tab) .
- Certificate IV in Mental Health (external)
- Certificate IV in Leadership and Innovation in Dementia Services (external)
Delivery locations and study options
Available all year
On campus
| Duration | 6 Months | ||||||||||||
| When | Available all year | ||||||||||||
| Where |
Broome Campus Derby Campus Fitzroy Crossing Campus Halls Creek Campus Karratha Campus Kununurra Campus Minurmarghali Mia Campus Newman Campus Pundulmurra Campus Tom Price Campus Wyndham Campus |
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| How | On campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
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Our estimated fees are based on:
- Full time study in 2023
- A selection of elective units designed to meet local industry demand for skills (different unit selections will attract different fees)
- For more information regarding eligibility and fees, please visit DTWD website
These fees are estimates only and depend on your eligibility for government funding, concession rates, the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Additional resource, material and/or equipment costs may apply. Visit our Fees and Charges page for more information, including on consumer rights.