Not many jobs allow you to do a variety of activities that bring joy, care, purpose and fun into another person’s life, while getting paid for it at the same time.
From supporting a friend with their gardening or housework, to helping another person take their first steps to independence. You could help make a big difference by working in the growing NDIS space.
But there are varying requirements for each professional individual who wants to deliver NDIS supports. The Provider Registration Guide to Suitability, 2018 says to “minimise risk, enhance outcomes and maximise the social and economic participation of people with a disability, there are specific experience, qualifications, processes and expertise required of providers”.
“… Certain supports are required to be provided by people with specific qualifications and experience,” the guide states.
“… As outlined in the NDIA Terms of Business, providers must ensure that they possess the relevant experience and understanding of working with people with a disability in order to deliver high quality supports and to ensure that they are always able to act in the interests of participants.”
So, before you begin your professional journey with the NDIS, it’s important to note that you can only provide services which relate directly to your professional occupation or qualification. This means if you hold a qualification such as Podiatry, you may only offer Podiatry services as an NDIS provider.
However, for example, if you are a Podiatrist who also wants to provide additional cleaning or gardening services to a participant, you may do so as there are no formal qualifications required for those professions.
What kind of professions can become involved?
There are a range of professions that are able to be connected in some way to the NDIS space, including:
- Developmental educator
- Teacher
- Disability Support Worker
- Mental health worker
- Peer worker
- Social worker
- Welfare worker
- Aboriginal health worker
- Accountant or bookkeeper
- Dietician
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Exercise Physiologist
- Personal Trainer
- Taxi or bus driver
- Cleaner
- Gardener
- Driving Instructor
- Occupational therapist
- Psychologist
- Registered Nurse
- Interpreter or translator
- Psychologist
- Physiotherapist
- Speech Pathologist
- Audiologist
- Music therapist
- Counsellor
- Art therapist
- Orthoptist
- Podiatrist
- Architect
- Builder
- Building inspector
- Building surveyor
- Building work supervisor
- Carpenter / joiner
- Electrician
- Plumber / gas fitter / drainer
- Tiler
- Rehabilitation engineer
- Mechanic
- Engineer
I don’t have a professional qualification in those fields, what can I do?
There are other options if you don’t have a relevant qualification. But the Provider Registration Guide states you must at least have “relevant product knowledge and experience working with people with disability”. Other options include:
- Assistance with accommodation (owner of a rental accommodation or alternative accommodation)
- Help with transport or travel organisation (transport company such as taxi, buses, specialist disability vehicles)
- Help around the home with tasks the participant cannot complete alone (includes food delivery or preparation, cleaning, gardening, and laundry)
- Assistance animals (companion animals)
- “Innovative Community Participation”
- Assistive recreation equipment for sports or other activities
- Products to assist with tasks around the home such as washing, general upkeep, cooking and cleaning
- Products to enhance personal safety and care including beds, special mattresses, bathroom equipment, continence or clothing
- Communications and Information equipment to help with communication by written, spoken or electronic means
- Hearing equipment (not including hearing aids)
- Mobility equipment
- Vision assistance equipment (including braille, magnifiers, equipment for note taking, orientation, navigation and guide dogs)
Want to find out more about working within this exciting and expanding space?
Our team at ISM can provide you with helpful information on all things NDIS.