For many people, stepping into an NDIS Support Worker job is one of the most rewarding professional choices they’ve ever made. With a job that goes far beyond the standard 9-to-5 in terms of both personal and professional enrichment, NDIS Support Workers provide an integral service to Australians living with disability. Better yet, they get to make a tangible difference through their daily activities.
At Enhanced Lifestyles, we refer to our Support Workers as Lifestyle Attendants, reflecting the approach we take in the delivery of supports. Keep reading to find out why we use a different term.
If you’re wondering whether or not pursuing a job as an NDIS Support Worker could be your next career move, here’s what you need to know.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plays an integral role in the lives of those living with disability in Australia, providing funding to eligible individuals to improve their quality of life through personalised support. The NDIS is really flexible, so supports will vary from person to person. People can get support with developing new skills, working or volunteering, increasing their independence throughout their daily life, and building better relationships with friends and family.
As of 2023, the NDIS supports over 500,000 Australians to access the services they need.
What is the role of an NDIS Support Worker?
NDIS Support Workers support individuals living with disability to lead independent and enriching lives. As no two people living with disability share the same experience, this support looks different from individual to individual.
Typical responsibilities of an NDIS Support Worker may include physical assistance with the completion of daily tasks, practical support as customers develop their skills, emotional support, and companionship.
NDIS Support Workers often find themselves working in a wide range of environments, including residential or group homes and community centres. In some instances, NDIS Support Workers may also accompany the individual they’re supporting to community events or on daytrips.
Tasks and duties of an NDIS Support Worker may include:
- Helping customers achieve their goals
- Assisting with transport, attending appointments, and advocating on behalf of NDIS customers
- Assisting with household tasks and social activities
- Coordinating or implementing individual care plans within the parameters of NDIS guidelines
Fulfilling and enriching professional development
As an NDIS Support Worker, you may experience job satisfaction that’s far more impactful than what you’d get from other roles. You’ll experience a lot of personal growth and skill development from the diverse situations, interactions, and responsibilities involved in the role. Our Support Workers often report huge improvements in their communication, problem-solving, and time management skills, and also in their empathy and resilience.
While this career can be highly enriching on both a personal and a professional level, many NDIS Support Workers report that fulfilment comes from the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the customers they support. Some NDIS Support Workers may work with the same customer for months or years at a time and become an integral part of someone’s journey towards the life they’ve always dreamt of leading.
Work-life balance for NDIS Support Workers
Alongside robust personal and professional development opportunities, another major perk for NDIS Support Workers is work-life balance.
This career path can offer great flexibility, with the freedom to explore casual, part-time, or full-time roles. This means you can pursue a career as an NDIS Support Worker while studying, meeting family commitments, or simply having the freedom to build a routine that works for you.
What are the steps to becoming an NDIS Support Worker?
When we recruit NDIS Support Workers, we look for a Certificate III in a relevant area (individual support) or equivalent experience.
All individuals applying for NDIS support work roles will undergo background checks and clearances. They are also required to be up-to-date with government-mandated immunisations. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant area can be also beneficial. We provide on-the-job training, including opportunities for career advancement through continued skills development.
Other qualifications that may be of use in securing a position include:
- Certificate IV in Disability
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Master of Social Work
NDIS support work at Enhanced Lifestyles
Our team is comprised of passionate people who firmly believe in the importance of respectful, dignified, and holistic support.
Our belief is simple: what’s good for our employees is good for our customers. That’s why we consistently deliver life-enriching support to our customers while providing a robust and welcoming workplace for employees.
Our unique point of difference impacts every aspect of our organisation’s culture. We were founded over thirty years ago by a group of people living with disability who knew nobody was better equipped to choose the kind of support they needed than themselves. Nowadays, Enhanced Lifestyles is a member-governed not-for-profit with a Board predominantly comprised of individuals who use our services. This means our support services are designed based on lived experience. The end result? Highly individualised supports built on a true understanding of what’s important to our customers.
So, that’s why we refer to NDIS Support Workers as Lifestyle Attendants. It better reflects our customer-centred approach and our focus on supporting our customers’ individual needs, goals and desires.
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Curious about employment as an NDIS Support Worker? Find out what it’s like to be a Lifestyle Attendant at Enhanced Lifestyles and hear from our team about why this job is so rewarding. Once you’ve had a glimpse into this fulfilling career, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d love to hear from you as you embark on this exciting step in your professional journey!
