Why Choose Disability Support Work with Nextt?
Make a Difference
Provide essential support to clients, helping them lead fulfilling and independent lives.
Choose shifts that fit your lifestyle, with flexible scheduling.
Career Growth Opportunities
Many of our managers have worked as disability support workers – so there’s potential that your career can grow here too.
Explore pathways and development programs to help you achieve your goals.
Fast Track Pathway
If you have Certificate III in Individual Support or a Certificate IV in Disability Support, and relevant experience.
Your qualification, skills and experience mean you don’t need to do as much online learning before you start.
We support you with relevant online learning, and a structured buddy shift and orientation process that will help you learn about Nextt, your clients, and identify any specific learning you need.
Growth Pathway
If you want to start as a disability support worker straight away, have experience, but don’t have a qualification, then you may qualify.
This pathway provides additional learning to help you to prepare for your role at Nextt. While it doesn’t provide you a qualification, it will equip you to undertake shifts as a disability support worker at Nextt.
We support you with relevant online learning, and a structured buddy shift and orientation process that will help you learn about Nextt, your clients, and identify any specific learning you need.
Traineeship Pathway
If you are client focussed and interested in starting your career in the disability sector – and working towards gaining a Certificate III in Individual Support – then our traineeship program may be for you.
You start as a trainee, learn on the job, and are supported to gain your Certificate III in Individual Support.
On successful completion of your qualification, we’ll transition you to a fully qualified disability support worker role at Nextt.
Words of Wisdom from some of our disability support workers
“I put myself in [the client’s] shoes, give them the maximum respect and ensure they have dignity.”
“Never forget we are guests in their houses.”
“[Clients] are in charge of their own care so if they want it a certain way that’s what I will do.”
“I try to make a good work environment by having fun with support workers and clients.”
“Nothing beats on-the-job experience; you learn more from the clients than you can in any classroom.”
“I will present different ways to solve the problem – you have to be dynamic and think on your feet.”
Top 6 Skills of a Disability Support Worker
If you are pursuing a career as a disability support worker, consider how the following qualities and skills could help you achieve positive results:
1. Client Service and Communication Skills
Prioritising client service while having a clear communication style is vital. Practise effective listening to understand diverse client perspectives and collaborate with others. This will help you develop the way you support clients and understand their goals and preferences.
2. Relationship-Building Skills
Forming and maintaining meaningful, trusting relationships with clients is essential. Employ patience, understanding, and conflict resolution techniques to navigate interactions successfully. Mentoring of interpersonal skills is important for support workers, especially when assisting clients to participate in their local community.
3. Attention to Detail
Strong time management and organisational skills are needed to coordinate support plans and schedules with accuracy, ensuring that all client needs are met. It’s important to get details around appointments, medications and personal care right – and remember if clients request things to be done a particular way.
4. Life Experience and Transferrable Skills
Personal experiences can significantly enhance your connection with clients. Drawing on skills from past support roles and general life experience can enrich the support you provide and help clients achieve their goals. Having shared interests with clients can also help with engagement.
5. Leadership Skills
Guiding and motivating clients through daily activities can encourage client participation and independence. When working with clients, you may need to take initiative, provide input, and organise activities.
6. Relevant Qualifications
Obtaining certifications such as Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) or Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121) builds foundational knowledge essential for delivering high-quality supports. These qualifications help equip you for the role. Don’t have a qualification? Explore our pathway options to get started. Submit the expression of interest form here
Think you have what it takes to be a great support worker?
Take a look at our current opportunities