Job Profiles

Personal Care Worker – Disability

Personal care worker and patient
A Personal Care Worker working in Disability provides personal and emotional support. They assist their clients to make their own decisions and live life as they choose.

Ability to think on your feet.


Role Description:

  • A Personal Care Worker working in Disability provides personal and emotional support. They assist their clients to make their own decisions and live life as they choose. They build meaningful relationships with their clients.

    A Personal Care Worker working in disability will assist their client with the activities of daily living including communicating, eating, showering, dressing, toileting and grooming. They assist with domestic tasks such as menu planning, cooking, cleaning and washing. They support their clients with social activities and outings, and in developing their existing skills and abilities.

Where you might work:

  • Your work could involve settings including the client’s home, in the community and in a client’s workplace.

Personal attributes:

  • You need a genuine passion for helping others and making a difference to the quality of life of people with a disability. You need a caring manner, good communication skills and the ability to think on your feet. You need to have a good work ethic and good time management skills. You need to be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Salary:

  • Middle of the range starting salary in Australia: $39,000
    (Reference: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 2018.)

Employment rates:

  • 64,000 job openings over 5 years in Australia (that’s about 12,800 a year)
    (Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018)

Industry growth:

  • Personal Care Workers grew moderately over the past 5 years and is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years: from 97,900 in 2018 to 109,300 by 2023.
    (Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)

Disability Support Worker Occupation Profile Videos:


Personal support worker

Career Pathway - Personal Care and Disability Support

People who provide personal care and disability support may enjoy flexible working conditions and a broad variety of tasks.
Jaslyn - Personal Support Worker

Personal Story - Personal Support Worker

I chose this field of work because I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to promote their independence in both their home & within their local community.