To become an NDIS support worker, complete the free NDIS Worker Orientation Module, get an NDIS Worker Screening Check through your state or territory, and get first aid and CPR training. A Certificate III in Individual Support is not legally required, but many employers prefer it. You can then work for an NDIS provider, or set up as an independent support worker with an ABN.
Key takeaways
- The NDIS Worker Screening Check is valid for up to five years, works nationally and costs about $112 to $163 depending on your state.
- The Worker Orientation Module, "Quality, Safety and You", is free online and takes about 90 minutes.
- No qualification is legally required, but a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021) makes you more employable.
- Support workers are paid under the SCHADS Award, and home care and disability rates rise by up to 15% from 1 December 2026.
- Independent support workers who stay unregistered can only support self-managed and plan-managed participants.
NDIS support work is flexible, meaningful and in steady demand. You do not need a degree to start, but you do need the right checks and training in place before anyone can hire you. Here is what is required in 2026 and how to get started quickly.
What does an NDIS support worker do?
Support workers help NDIS participants live the life they choose. Depending on the role, that can include personal care, help around the home, getting out into the community, building daily living skills, transport, and support at work or study. You might work in people's homes, in shared living (SIL) houses, in day programs or out in the community.
NDIS support worker requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Required? | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDIS Worker Screening Check | Yes for risk-assessed roles with registered providers; most employers ask regardless | $112 to $163 | Valid for up to five years, nationally |
| NDIS Worker Orientation Module | Required by registered providers | Free | About 90 minutes online |
| First aid and CPR | Usually required by employers | Varies by course | HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is common |
| Working with Children Check | If you work with children | Varies by state | Separate from NDIS screening in most states |
| Certificate III in Individual Support | Not legally required | Varies; funded places exist in some states | Preferred by many employers |
| Driver's licence and car | Often required | Your own | Needed for community access and travel between clients |
| Right to work in Australia | Yes | N/A | Checked by every employer |
How to become an NDIS support worker: step by step
- Complete the NDIS Worker Orientation Module"Quality, Safety and You" is free on the NDIS Commission website and takes about 90 minutes. Save your certificate, because employers will ask for it. The Commission also offers free modules on new worker induction, supporting effective communication and supporting safe and enjoyable meals.
- Consider a qualificationA Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021), or a Certificate IV in Disability Support, is not mandatory, but it builds skills and confidence and helps your application stand out. High intensity supports, such as complex bowel care or tracheostomy care, need specific competency-based training.
- Get first aid and CPR trainingMost employers require a current first aid certificate. CPR needs refreshing every year.
- Apply for your NDIS Worker Screening CheckApply through the screening unit in your state or territory. You need an employer to verify your application, or if you are a sole trader you verify yourself through the worker screening database. A clearance is valid for up to five years and is recognised nationally, so you only apply in one state.
- Get a Working with Children Check if neededIf you will support children, you usually need a separate check. In the ACT, the Working with Vulnerable People registration covers both.
- Apply for rolesLook at registered providers, SIL providers and NDIS digital platforms. Highlight your screening clearance, orientation certificate, first aid and any lived or caring experience.
- Complete induction and role-specific trainingYour employer will train you in their policies, including how to report incidents and complaints. Registered providers must keep records of this training.
NDIS Worker Screening Check costs by state (2026)
| State or territory | Where to apply | Fee (paid work) | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Service NSW | $112 | Free |
| Victoria | Victorian Government worker screening | $139.20 | Fee waiver available |
| Queensland | Worker Screening Queensland | $161.30 | Free |
| Western Australia | Department of Communities | $145 | $11 |
| South Australia | DHS Screening Unit | $145 | Free |
| Tasmania | Registration to Work with Vulnerable People, with NDIS endorsement | See Service Tasmania | Fee relief available |
| ACT | Access Canberra (included in WWVP registration) | $163 | Free |
| Northern Territory | NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services | $149 | $14 |
How much do NDIS support workers earn?
Most support workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award. Award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, and home care and disability employees receive a further increase of up to 15% from 1 December 2026, with a new classification structure due in October 2027.
As examples, the Fair Work pay guide effective 1 December 2026 lists minimum hourly rates of $33.19 for a full-time or part-time home care (disability) Level 2.1 employee and $41.49 for a casual at the same level. Social and community services Level 2.1 is $36.22 for full-time or part-time and $45.28 for casual. Which stream and level applies depends on your role. Evening, weekend and public holiday work attracts penalty rates, and many providers pay above the award. Check the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool for your situation.
Work for a provider or work for yourself?
| Employee of a provider | Independent sole trader | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Regular wage under the SCHADS Award | You set your rates, within the participant's plan budget and NDIS price limits |
| Super, leave and insurance | Provided by your employer | You arrange your own, including public liability and professional indemnity |
| Who you can support | Anyone your employer supports | Unregistered: only self-managed and plan-managed participants |
| Paperwork | Handled by the provider | Service agreements, invoicing, records and tax |
| Worker screening | Required for risk-assessed roles | Not legally required if unregistered, but strongly recommended and expected by most clients |
Independent support workers need an ABN, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct and should hold appropriate insurance. Two 2026 changes are worth knowing. NDIS digital platforms must now be registered, and from 1 January 2027 only workers with a screening clearance will be able to use them. And the government has announced that mandatory registration will expand to higher-risk supports such as personal care and daily living supports from 1 July 2027, which could affect independent workers who deliver those supports.
If you want to support NDIA-managed participants, take on staff or grow beyond a handful of clients, the next step is registering as a provider. Our guide on how to become an NDIS provider explains how, and how much an NDIS audit costs helps you budget.
Ready to start your own NDIS business? Get a complete set of Core Module policies and procedures to build on.
Explore the Certification packTips for landing your first support worker role
- Have your screening clearance, orientation certificate and first aid certificate ready before you apply.
- Be clear about your availability, because weekend and evening flexibility is in demand.
- Mention relevant life experience, such as caring for a family member, languages you speak, or cultural knowledge.
- Complete the Commission's free extra modules to show initiative.
- Ask employers about training, supervision and how they match workers with participants.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a qualification to be an NDIS support worker?
No qualification is legally required. You need the right checks and training for your role, such as the NDIS Worker Screening Check and Worker Orientation Module. Many employers prefer a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021).
How long is an NDIS Worker Screening Check valid?
A clearance is valid for up to five years and is recognised nationally. You can apply to renew up to 90 days before it expires.
How much does the NDIS Worker Orientation Module cost?
It is free. The module, "Quality, Safety and You", is completed online through the NDIS Commission and takes about 90 minutes.
Can I be an NDIS support worker without an ABN?
Yes, if you are employed by a provider. You only need an ABN if you work as an independent contractor or sole trader.
Can I work as an independent support worker without registering?
Yes. Unregistered independent workers can support participants who self-manage or plan-manage their funding. You must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and worker screening is strongly recommended.
How much does an NDIS Worker Screening Check cost?
Fees for paid work range from $112 in NSW to $163 in the ACT in 2026. Most states charge volunteers little or nothing.
Sources and official resources
- NDIS Commission: NDIS worker screening
- NDIS Commission: Free online training modules for workers
- NDIS Commission: Training your workers
- NDIS Commission: About registration
- NDIS Commission: NDIS Code of Conduct
- NDIS Commission: Mandatory registration
- Fair Work: Changes to the SCHADS Award
- Fair Work: SCHADS Award pay guide (MA000100)
- Service NSW: Apply for an NDIS Worker Check
- Victorian Government: NDIS Worker Screening Check
- Western Australia: Applying for an NDIS Check
- NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services: NDIS Check
Information is general in nature and current as at 12 October 2026. NDIS rules change, so always confirm requirements with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission before you act.