Disability Support Worker
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Retention gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$53,400
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Provides general household assistance, emotional support and person-centred care to develop individual living skills and enhance community access and social inclusion for people with disability in their own homes.
Alternative titles
Community Support Worker (Disability) · Disability Care Worker · Disability Support · Disability Worker
Scope note: Community Aged Care Support Workers and Residential Aged Care Workers are excluded from this occupation. Community Aged Care Support Workers are included in Occupation 421231 Community Aged Care Support Worker. Residential Aged Care Workers are included in Occupation 421331 Residential Aged Care Worker.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Supports people with disability with daily activities such as mobility, housekeeping tasks, personal care, medication and meal preparation
- Negotiates with individuals and families regarding the acceptance of care provided
- Provides emotional support, and assists in managing depression, confusion and grief
- Identifies and facilitates community-based social activities for people with disability
- Assists people with disability to access disability support services
- Supports people with disability with training and employment
- Manages risks and emergencies in a home care setting
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Individual Support
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Disability Support
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Mental Health
Specialised training
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Community Services
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
Transferable skills
Certificate II in Health Support Services
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
868
ACT · May 2026
47
VIC · May 2026
820
NT · May 2026
38
SA · May 2026
295
NSW · May 2026
1,155
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+11%
39,773 projected jobs
to 2035
+18%
67,086 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Disability Support Worker.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - South East
16,500 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - South East
16,500 employed
VIC
+5.06%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
12,949 employed
VIC
+11.19%
year on year
- 3
Adelaide - North
12,071 employed
SA
+12%
year on year
- 4
Adelaide - South
10,229 employed
SA
+15.62%
year on year
- 5
Gold Coast
9,942 employed
QLD
+2.99%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
169,490
Moved in from another occupation
33,270
Moved to another occupation
17,685
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 422231
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.