What To Put On A Resume For A Disability Support Worker?

Recent staff shortages across Australia have posed a great opportunity for individuals looking to join the disability support sector. Demand is at an all-time high with employers and patients desperately looking for qualified disability support workers. To secure the most favourable employment package, your resume needs to include all relevant information such as education, experience, skills, certifications, and contact information.

Education

The first section of information that should be on your resume as a disability support worker is your education. Education can include any degree from a higher education institution, such as a bachelor’s degree.

In some cases, it may be beneficial to list out certain courses directly related to disability support work. If you don’t have a college degree, you can list any certifications that are relevant.

Common certifications for disability support workers include a Certificate III in Individual Support, Community Services, Allied Health Assistance and Disability.

Experience

Equally important as your education is your work experience as a disability support worker. You should list all jobs you held in the past few years regardless of if they related to disability support work specifically however, if you have a good range of experience as a disability support worker that goes back 5+ years, only list those.

Employers often look at your experience over your education, especially when your education was from years ago.

Work experience in the disability support work sector highlights that you have completed applicable tasks, boosting your chances of success. However, not having any relevant experience is not always a negative, if you can show the potential employer that you retain the education and a strong work ethic.

Noteworthy Skills

Noteworthy skills are another section that should be included on your resume, especially if you don’t have eligible experience in the industry. Noteworthy skills can include anything applicable to disability support work including experience working with common software programs, preparing billing records, and processing insurance payments.

Any skill that you believe will make you a stronger candidate should be included.

Special Certifications

Special certifications should also be included on your resume. Making the Dean’s list in university or being recognised in your past employment are two examples of special certifications. This shows potential employers that you have a strong work ethic.

Additionally, if you don’t have a specified education degree, special certifications can serve as a fill in, highlighting your knowledge applicable to disability support work.

Contact Information

One of the most important areas to include on your resume is your contact information. You could put together an outstanding resume, but if you leave no contact information, the prospective employer will have no way of reaching you, causing missed opportunities.

You should have your full name, phone number, email, and address on the top of your resume, on each page.

Next Steps

Including the above information will give you the best chance of success when applying for jobs in the disability support sector. Keep in mind that each employer is different, calling on the need for you to do extensive due diligence before your resume is submitted. Putting together a resume is the first step on your path to enjoy the wide variety of benefits workers in disability support have.

Once you secure that job as a disability support worker, you may need to hold your own insurance. Be sure to check out our instant quote generator to get an estimate on public liability & professional indemnity insurance for disability support workers. You only have to answer to questions to receive a quote in seconds and buy online in minutes!