How to Become an NDIS Support Worker | Mambourin

Starting a Rewarding Career in Disability Support

Wondering how to become an NDIS support worker? You’re in the right place. Working as an NDIS support worker is one of Australia’s most rewarding careers – helping people with disability live independently, achieve their goals, and participate fully in their communities.

At Mambourin, we’ve been supporting people with disability for over 50 years. We know what makes great support workers, and we’re committed to helping people start meaningful careers in disability support.

Whether you’re just exploring the idea or ready to take your first steps, this guide will show you exactly how to become an NDIS support worker.

Why Become an NDIS Support Worker?

Making a Real Difference

As an NDIS support worker, you directly impact people’s lives every single day. You help someone gain confidence, learn new skills, make friends, or achieve a goal they’ve been working toward.

This isn’t just a job where you clock in and out. It’s work that matters, where you build genuine relationships and see the difference you make.

A Growing Industry

With over 646,000 NDIS participants across Australia and numbers growing, the demand for quality support workers has never been higher.

This means:

Strong job security
Plenty of employment opportunities
Career progression pathways
Flexible work arrangements

Flexible Career Options

Support work offers flexibility that many careers don’t:

Choose your hours: Full-time, part-time, or casual work to suit your life
Choose your setting: Work in people’s homes, community settings, or group activities
Choose your specialisation: Focus on areas that interest you, from personal care to community access to skill development.
Choose your path: Work for an organisation like Mambourin, or eventually work independently.y

NDIS Support Worker Requirements

Essential Requirements

To work as an NDIS support worker, you must have:

NDIS Worker Screening Check: This mandatory national check replaced police checks in 2025. It includes criminal history, relevant misconduct information, and assesses your suitability to work with people with disability. The check is valid for 5 years and transfers across all NDIS work.
Right to work in Australia: You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an appropriate visa.
Working with Children Check: Required if you’ll be supporting people under 18 years old.
Current immunisations: Up-to-date vaccinations, including COVID-19 (requirements vary by state).
First Aid Certificate: While not always mandatory, most employers strongly prefer or require current First Aid and CPR certification.
Driver’s license: An Australian driver’s license is essential for many roles, especially those involving community access or transport support.

Physical Requirements

Support work can be physically demanding. You should be:

Able to stand, walk, and move around for extended periods
Capable of assisting with physical tasks like transfers or mobility support
Comfortable with bending, lifting (within safe limits), and household tasks
In good general health and physical fitness

Personal Qualities

The best support workers have:

Empathy and compassion: Genuine care for others’ well-being
Patience: Understanding that people work at different paces
Reliability: Being dependable and consistent
Respect: Honouring people’s dignity, choices, and privacy
Communication skills: Listening actively and expressing yourself clearly
Positive attitude: Bringing encouragement and optimism
Flexibility: Adapting to changing needs and situations
Problem-solving: Thinking creatively to address challenges

NDIS Support Worker Qualifications

Do You Need Formal Qualifications?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need formal qualifications to start as an NDIS support worker.

Around 11% of NDIS support workers have Year 10 education or below. What matters most is your attitude, personal qualities, and genuine desire to help others.

However, qualifications significantly increase your:

Employment opportunities
Pay rates
Career advancement options
Confidence and competence

Recommended Qualifications

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

This is the most common entry-level qualification for support workers.

What it covers:

Person-centred support approaches
Working with people with diverse needs
Communication and relationship building
Health and safety in support work
Cultural awareness and diversity
Supporting independence and community participation

Duration: 6-12 months (some accelerated programs complete in 14 weeks)

Study options: Full-time, part-time, online, or workplace-based learning

Entry requirements: No formal prerequisites; anyone can enrol

This qualification prepares you to provide personal support with significant autonomy in predictable care environments.

Certificate IV in Disability

This advanced qualification suits people who want to:

Work with greater independence
Take on specialised or supervisory roles
Increase their competency and career options

What it adds:

More in-depth disability knowledge
Complex support situations
Coordination and supervisory skills
Specialised support approaches

Who it’s for: Often completed by people already working in the sector who want career progression to roles like disability officer, team leader, or coordinator.

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

This qualification prepares you to work alongside therapists (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, etc.), implementing therapeutic programs and supporting therapy goals.

Additional Valuable Training

Manual handling: Safe techniques for assisting with transfers and mobility
Behaviour support: Understanding and responding to challenging behaviours
Mental health first aid: Supporting people with mental health conditions
Autism awareness: Understanding autism spectrum and effective support strategies
Communication support: Including Auslan (Australian Sign Language) or alternative communication methods
Medication assistance: Understanding medication support within your role
Infection control: Proper hygiene and infection prevention practices

How to Become an NDIS Support Worker: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Understand the Role

Before committing, make sure you understand what support workers do:

Read about what NDIS support workers do
Talk to people currently working in the field
Consider volunteering to gain experience
Reflect on whether this work aligns with your values and interests

Step 2: Complete Required Checks

Start the process for mandatory checks:

Apply for your NDIS Worker Screening Check

Go to your state/territory screening authority website
Complete the online application
Visit a service centre with the required ID documents
Pay the application fee ($145 for paid workers, free for volunteers)
Wait for processing (timeframes vary)

Get your Working with Children Check (if applicable)

Apply through your state authority
Different states have different names for this check
Required if supporting children under 18

Obtain First Aid certification

Enrol in a First Aid and CPR course
Usually takes 1 day to complete
Valid for 3 years (CPR component valid for 1 year)

Step 3: Decide on Qualifications

Consider your situation:

Start working while studying: Many employers hire trainees who are completing their Certificate III, providing paid on-the-job training.
Complete qualification first: Gives you confidence and makes you more competitive when applying.
Start without qualification: Possible for some entry-level roles, especially social support and community access positions.

At Mambourin, we welcome people at all stages – whether you’re qualified, currently studying, or ready to start training with us.

Step 4: Gain Experience

Build your experience through:

Volunteering: Disability services, community organisations, or local support groups
Casual work: Start with casual shifts to get a feel for the work
Traineeships: Paid positions where you learn on the job while completing your qualification
Work experience placements: Often part of formal training courses

Step 5: Apply for Positions

When you’re ready:

Search for “NDIS support worker” positions on job sites
Look for entry-level, trainee, or graduate positions
Apply to providers like Mambourin who invest in staff development
Prepare a resume highlighting relevant skills and personal qualities
Write a cover letter explaining why you want to work in disability support

Step 6: Prepare for Interviews

Common interview questions:

Why do you want to work in disability support?
What do you think makes a good support worker?
How would you handle a challenging situation?
What are your strengths and areas for development?
How do you respect people’s choices while ensuring safety?

Be honest, show your genuine interest, and demonstrate your personal qualities.

Different Pathways Into Support Work

Agency Employment

Working for an NDIS provider organisation like Mambourin offers:

Benefits:

Regular shifts and stable income
Comprehensive training and induction
Ongoing supervision and support
Career progression opportunities
Insurance and workers compensation
Access to professional development
Team environment and peer support

What to expect:

Structured onboarding process
Assigned shifts with participants
Regular team meetings and training
Performance reviews and feedback
Clear policies and procedures

At Mambourin, we provide comprehensive induction, ongoing training, and genuine career development opportunities. Our employment opportunities include pathways from entry-level support through to coordination and management.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships

Many providers offer traineeships combining work and study:

Earn while you learn
Complete Certificate III on the job
Mentored by experienced workers
Usually a 12-18 months duration
Pathway to permanent employment

Independent/Sole Trader Work

After gaining experience, some support workers become independent contractors:

Requirements:

Australian Business Number (ABN)
Business insurance (public liability, professional indemnity)
Strong understanding of NDIS
Self-management skills
Marketing and admin capabilities

Best suited for:

Experienced workers
Self-motivated individuals
Those wanting maximum flexibility
People with established networks

Most people start with agency employment to gain experience before considering independent work.

What to Expect in Your First Role

Induction and Training

When you start with a quality provider like Mambourin, you’ll receive:

Organisational induction: Understanding the provider, policies, values, and expectations
NDIS training: How the NDIS works, participant rights, choice and control
Practical skills training: Manual handling, infection control, personal care techniques, documentation
Safety training: Emergency procedures, incident reporting, workplace safety
Shadowing: Working alongside experienced support workers before working independently

Meet participants: Introduction to the people you’ll support, understanding their goals and preferences

Your First Shifts

Don’t worry: everyone feels nervous initially. That’s completely normal.

Your early shifts will likely involve:

Working with experienced workers who’ll guide you
Learning participants’ routines and preferences
Building rapport and trust
Asking lots of questions (which is encouraged!)
Gradually increasing your responsibilities

Take your time to learn. Good providers understand that confidence and competence develop through experience and support.

Building Your Skills

Over time, you’ll:

Develop a deeper understanding of different disabilities
Refine your communication and support techniques
Build confidence in handling various situations
Form meaningful relationships with participants
Identify areas of interest for specialisation

Career Progression in Disability Support

Entry to Leadership

A typical career pathway might look like:

Entry-level support worker (0-2 years)

Learning fundamental skills
Working under supervision
Building experience and confidence

Experienced support worker (2-5 years)

Working more independently
Supporting complex needs
Mentoring new workers

Senior support worker (5+ years)

Specialized skills
Leading shifts or programs
Complex case management

Team leader/Coordinator (5-8 years)

Supervising teams
Rostering and coordination
Quality assurance

Program manager (8+ years)

Managing services
Strategic planning
Staff development

Specialization Opportunities

You might specialise in:

Complex behaviour support
Complex health needs
Autism support
Mental health support
Life skills development
Employment support
Community participation

Related Career Paths

Skills gained as a support worker open doors to:

Support coordination
Plan management
Therapy assistant roles
NDIS planning and coordination
Disability advocacy
Training and education
Policy and program development

Working at Mambourin

Our Approach to Staff Development

At Mambourin, we invest heavily in our team because we know great support starts with great support workers.

Comprehensive induction: Thorough preparation for your role
Ongoing training: Regular professional development opportunities
Clinical supervision: Support to reflect on your practice and grow professionally
Career pathways: Clear progression opportunities
Supportive culture: Team environment where you’re valued and supported

Our Support Services

When you work with Mambourin, you’ll be part of delivering:

What Our Team Values

The qualities we look for aren’t just about skills: they’re about character:

Genuine respect for people with disability
Commitment to choice and independence
Positive, can-do attitude
Team player mentality
Willingness to learn and grow
Reliability and integrity

If this describes you, we’d love to hear from you.

Common Questions About Becoming a Support Worker

Can I become a support worker with no experience?

Absolutely! Many successful support workers started with no experience in disability support. What matters is your personal qualities, willingness to learn, and genuine desire to help others.

Volunteering or completing a Certificate III can help build confidence and skills before starting paid work.

How long does it take to become qualified?

If you complete a Certificate III before starting work, it typically takes 6-12 months of study.

However, many people start working through traineeships, earning while they learn over 12-18 months.

You can start in some roles with no formal qualifications while you study.

Is support work physically demanding?

It can be. Many roles involve being on your feet, assisting with mobility, household tasks, and community activities.

However, not all support work is physically intensive. Social support and community access roles may be less physically demanding.

Physical requirements vary by role and participant needs.

What if I don’t have a car?

While many support worker roles require a driver’s license and vehicle (especially community access roles), some positions don’t require driving.

In-home support or facility-based roles may not need transport. Talk to potential employers about roles that suit your situation.

Can I work part-time or casually?

Yes! Support work offers excellent flexibility. Many support workers work part-time or casual hours around other commitments like study, caring responsibilities, or other work.

Will I work alone or as part of a team?

Both. You’ll often work one-on-one with participants, but you’re part of a broader team.

At Mambourin, you’ll have regular team contact, meetings, supervision, and peer support, even though much of your direct work is with individual participants.

What if I find the work emotionally challenging?

Support work can be emotionally demanding at times. Good employers provide:

Clinical supervision to process challenging situations
Debriefing after difficult incidents
Access to EAP (Employee Assistance Program) counselling
Peer support from colleagues
Training in self-care and resilience

It’s important to have strategies to maintain your well-being while supporting others.

Taking Your First Step

If you’ve been wondering how to become an NDIS support worker, you now have a clear pathway forward.

This career offers the chance to make a genuine difference in people’s lives every single day. It’s challenging, rewarding, and meaningful work where you’ll grow personally and professionally.

The NDIS support worker requirements aren’t overwhelming – what’s most important is who you are as a person and your commitment to supporting others with respect and compassion.

Whether you’re ready to start immediately or planning your pathway, Mambourin welcomes people at all stages of their support work journey.

Ready to explore opportunities with Mambourin?

Visit our employment opportunities page or contact us to discuss how you can start a rewarding career in disability support.

Phone: 9731 9200
Email: hello@mambourin.org

We’re excited to help you start your journey in one of Australia’s most rewarding careers.

Your future in disability support starts here.

How to Become an NDIS Support Worker: Your Complete Career Guide