Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to have a qualification already to do these courses?
No. You do not need to have a qualification already to be able to enrol.
I already have a qualification in disability services (e.g. Cert 3 in individual supports) can I apply to do these courses?
These courses do contain units of competency which form elective units in some qualifications. Check the units that you studied in your qualification and you can enrol in any of the skills sets that you haven’t already studied as part of a qualification.
Who is paying for these courses? Why are they free?
The cost of these courses are fee-free and subsidised by the Australian and NSW Governments as part of the Job Trainer program and the Smart and Skilled program. This is a government program to provide free training in priority industries like the NDIS.
Specialise in:
Mental health skills
Learn skills that will help you specialise in high intensity, psychosocial and recovery coach roles in the NDIS
Leadership skills
Learn skills that will help you applying for team leader, coordinator and manager roles in the NDIS
Case management
Learn skills that will help develop pathways into roles like case worker, local area coordinator, support coordinator
Family & Domestic violence & trauma informed care
Learn skills to support NDIS participants who have experienced family and domestic violence
How long will it take to do the courses?
You can do the courses at your own pace. Each skill set slightly varies, but if you set aside 6 hours a week you should be able to complete the training within 5 months.
I don’t think I can fit in these courses with my other commitments and shifts – can my employer help me?
This program covers all the course costs but does not include paid time to complete the course. Because it is online and on demand you can study at a time that suits you outside your work hours. The ASU can assist in conversations with your employer about getting some of that time recognised as work time. Contact the ASU for further information.
Why were these four topics chosen as priority areas?
The four topic areas were selected following a survey of ASU members working in the disability sector. Over 400 workers took part in the survey to tell us what their priority areas were for further study and career progression in the NDIS.
I don’t work in disability services right now, but am looking for jobs in the sector – can I apply for this training?
Yes! If you are looking to work in the disability sector but currently work in another sector like community services you can apply for these courses (except the team leadership course which is only for workers in the disability sector).
What is accredited training?
Accredited training means that the skills set is made up of units of competency which are nationally recognised and have been approved by the training regulator for quality assurances purposes. It means that the training is portable – it can be recognised across employers and states and can be a building block to developing a full qualification.
How can these courses build towards a full qualification?
These skill sets are made up of several accredited units of competency. Once you have completed the skills set it can be recognised if you do further study as part of a qualification like Certificate IV in disability services or community services.
Who is eligible for this fee-free training?
To be eligible you need to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen, be aged 15 years or older, live or work in NSW, and no longer be at school. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live in specific defined interstate border areas with NSW may be eligible for Smart and Skilled. You can find out the areas covered from your training provider.