12‑Week Support Worker Training In Australia – Get Paid to Train | Government‑funded
🔎 Helping you find reliable and rewarding training opportunities across Australia
Finding a stable, rewarding job can be challenging—especially if you want meaningful work that truly changes lives. Disability and community support roles are in high demand across Australia, yet many people hesitate to join due to training costs or lack of experience. Here’s a solution: A 12‑week, government‑funded training course that pays you while you learn to become a support worker in Australia, and employers can be subsidised up to $5000 for wages and recruitment costs. Additional program options are also listed on this page.
Government‑funded Programme Advantages
- Training fees covered: Costs covered by government funding.
- Earn while you learn: Receive a wage or subsidy during the 12‑week training period.
- Nationally recognised qualifications: Gain credentials for support‑worker roles.
- Practical work experience: Includes workplace placement or on‑the-job training.
- Ongoing employment support: Access assistance and pathways after course completion.
- Strong job demand: Programme strengthens the disability‑support workforce.
Programme Introduction
- Duration: 12 weeks of structured training combining theory and practical modules.
- Coursework: Includes communication, personal care, safe work practices, client support, and mobility assistance.
- Workplace placement: Supervised experience within a disability services provider to build practical skills.
- Paid training: Receive a wage subsidy or paid trainee wage during the course.
- Outcome: Gain nationally recognised credentials and become job‑ready for a support worker or disability care assistant role. Moreover, be subsidised up to $5000 for wages and recruitment costs.
- Support: Providers assist participants in transitioning into employment after course completion.
Who It’s For (by age group)
- Ages 18‑34: Young adults or early‑career workers seeking a start in the disability sector, who want a clear pathway into work or further study.
- Ages 35‑54: Adults looking to change career, upskill, or transition into meaningful support roles where there is strong demand.
- Ages 55+: Mature workers seeking stable, paid training‑to‑work opportunities, or returning to the workforce for purposeful roles. Wage subsidies often target this age group for retraining [1].
- Also suitable for people with disability (who meet the training gateway criteria) and those who want to work in the disability‑support sector.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Find an approved training provider or registered disability services organisation offering the 12‑week support worker training.
- Check eligibility (see next section) and register interest or apply via the provider.
- Attend an interview or information session to confirm suitability for the programme.
- Enrol and begin the training sequence – theory, practical modules, workplace placement.
- Complete the 12‑week programme, receive wage payments/subsidy during training and gain credentials.
- Receive support from the provider to transition into employment in a disability‑support role.
- Begin employment as a qualified support worker or trainee in a disability services organisation.
🔎 These are general steps and may vary depending on the specific program.
Eligibility / Application Conditions
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to study and work in Australia.
- Meet the required minimum age (often 16 or 18 depending on state/territory and provider) and provider entry requirements.
- Have the ability to attend full‑time (or specified contact hours) over the 12‑week programme.
- Meet any language, literacy, or numeracy prerequisites set by the training provider.
- For wage subsidy eligibility: the employer/training host must qualify, and the trainee often needs to be in a designated target group such as a mature worker or person with disability.
- Commit to completing the training modules, workplace placement, and transition into employment.
Other Available Programmes:
Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA): Provides support for people with disability, injury, or health conditions to find and maintain employment. Offers tailored guidance and resources for job seekers and employers.
Wage Subsidy Schemes: Provides financial incentives to employers who hire eligible workers from target groups, such as mature workers or people with disability. Subsidies can cover a portion of wages to support workplace integration.
NDIS Employment Assistance: Offers support for participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to develop skills, gain work experience, and transition into meaningful employment. Includes guidance, mentoring, and job placement support.
FAQ
Q1: Is the training really funded?
Yes – the training costs are covered by government funding, and you will receive a paid wage or subsidy while you train.
Q2: Do I need prior experience in disability support?
Not necessarily – many programs accept people with little or no prior experience, as they include foundational modules and placement.
Q3: Will I be guaranteed a job after training?
While job guarantee depends on your performance and role availability, the programme is designed to transition you into employment and providers assist with job‑placement support.
Q4: Can I do it part‑time?
This course is typically full‑time over 12 weeks to meet the funding model. Check with the training provider for any part‑time options.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to make a meaningful change, build a career and earn while you learn, this 12‑week support worker training programme is a powerful opportunity. Backed by government funding, designed to lead into employment in the high‑demand disability‑support sector, and accessible across age groups, it offers a credible pathway into a rewarding career. Don’t wait – register with an approved training provider, secure your spot and step confidently into your support‑worker future.