NDIS Support Worker and Aged Care Jobs in Australia (2026): Pay, Certificate III and How to Start

Care work is one of the easiest ways into steady, meaningful employment in Australia, and pay has risen sharply after a run of Fair Work Commission decisions. If you are thinking about becoming an NDIS support worker or an aged care worker, this guide explains how the two jobs differ, what you need before your first shift, what the awards pay in 2026, and how to find work without getting caught by common traps.

NDIS Support Work vs Aged Care: What Is the Difference?

Both jobs involve helping people live safely and with dignity, and the core qualification is the same. The difference is mainly who you support and where.

Expect physical work, including lifting with equipment, plus early, late, weekend and sometimes overnight shifts. Some days are emotionally heavy. The upside is genuine human connection and strong demand for workers in almost every town.

How Much Do NDIS Support Workers and Aged Care Workers Earn in 2026?

Award rates are reviewed each July in the annual wage review. Aged care rates were also lifted by the Aged Care Work Value Case, with an interim 15% increase in 2023 followed by further increases phased in during 2025. Approximate 2026 minimum rates are below; always confirm the exact figure with the latest Fair Work pay guide.

Weekend, evening, overnight and public holiday shifts attract penalty rates, so actual earnings are often well above these base figures. Many large providers also pay above award through enterprise agreements.

Watch this space if you work in disability: the Fair Work Commission has been reviewing whether care and disability work under the SCHADS Award is undervalued, and further pay increases for disability support workers in home care settings have been flagged. Check the latest Fair Work Commission decision and pay guide, because these rates can change during the year.

Do You Need a Certificate III in Individual Support?

The CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support is the standard entry qualification for both sectors, with specialisations in ageing, disability, or both. It covers person-centred support, safe work practices, infection control, communication and personal care. The national training package requires at least 120 hours of work placement, which gives you real experience and often leads straight to job offers.

Strictly speaking, the NDIS does not require a qualification for every support worker role, and some providers hire people without one for community access or companionship work. In practice, most aged care and many disability employers ask for the Certificate III or expect you to be enrolled, and it puts you on a higher pay level under the Aged Care Award.

Certificate III Cost, Fee-Free TAFE and How Long It Takes

Care courses have been a national priority for Fee-Free TAFE, and the government has moved to continue free TAFE places beyond 2026. The Certificate III in Individual Support has been listed as fee-free at many TAFEs, but eligibility and places are set by each state. Check your state's Fee-Free TAFE page before paying anyone.

Checks and Requirements Before You Start

• NDIS Worker Screening Check: required for risk-assessed roles with registered NDIS providers and widely requested by others. You apply through your state's screening unit, the fee is set by each state, and a clearance lasts up to five years.
• Police certificate (aged care): aged care workers generally need either a recent police certificate or an NDIS Worker Screening clearance; your employer will tell you which.
• Working With Children Check: needed if you support children or young people, which is common in disability work.
• First aid and CPR: most employers ask for a current first aid certificate, with CPR refreshed yearly.
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module: a free online course from the NDIS Commission that many providers require.
• Vaccinations: many employers require a current flu vaccination; ask about other requirements in your state and setting.
• Driver licence and car: essential for most in-home and community jobs.

How to Become a Support Worker: Step by Step

1. Decide whether you lean towards disability, aged care or both, and choose your Certificate III specialisation to match.
2. Check Fee-Free TAFE eligibility in your state, then enrol with a registered training organisation listed on training.gov.au.
3. Apply for your NDIS Worker Screening Check (or police check) and a Working With Children Check if relevant.
4. Complete first aid, CPR and the free NDIS Worker Orientation Module.
5. Treat your work placement as a job interview: turn up on time, ask questions and get a referee.
6. Apply for casual or part-time roles, then build experience in areas such as high-intensity supports, manual handling or medication assistance to move up.

Casual, Part-Time or Independent (ABN) Work?

Most care workers start as casuals, earning the 25% loading in exchange for no paid leave and less predictable hours. Part-time roles offer paid leave and steadier rosters, which helps with loans and rent applications.

Platforms such as Mable and Hireup offer more flexibility, but they work differently. Hireup engages workers as employees, so tax and super are handled for you. Mable workers are independent contractors with an ABN who set their own rates, subject to the platform's minimum rate, and Mable takes a service fee from each booking.

• Pros of independent work: choose your clients and hours, set your own rate, build long-term relationships.
• Cons: you pay your own tax and superannuation, have no paid leave or sick pay, need your own insurance, and income can disappear when a client changes plans.

A common approach is to keep a part-time or casual job with a provider while picking up a few independent shifts.

Where to Find NDIS and Aged Care Jobs

• Job boards: SEEK, Indeed and Workforce Australia, searching "disability support worker", "personal care worker" or "aged care worker".
• Large providers: major aged care groups, councils and not-for-profits recruit year-round and many run trainee programs.
• Platforms: Mable, Hireup and similar marketplaces for flexible shifts.
• Your TAFE or placement host: many students are offered work by their placement provider.
• Government help: the Australian Government's care workforce initiatives and Your Career website list training and job pathways.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Paying for an unaccredited course. Check the provider and the CHC33021 code on training.gov.au. Unusually short online-only courses with no placement are a red flag.
• Paying full fees without checking Fee-Free TAFE. Many people eligible for a free place pay thousands unnecessarily.
• Falling for "guaranteed job" courses. No legitimate trainer can promise employment.
• Fake job ads. Never pay a fee to get a job, and be wary of recruiters who ask for bank details before a real interview.
• Undercharging as an ABN worker. Your rate must cover tax, super, insurance and unpaid leave.
• Not checking your classification. Make sure your payslip shows the right award level, especially once you finish your Certificate III.

Final Thoughts

NDIS and aged care work is not easy, but it is in demand, rates have risen strongly since 2023, and further changes for disability workers are being considered. Start with a Certificate III, preferably fee-free, get your checks sorted early, and use your placement to land a first job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or career advice. Award rates, Fair Work Commission decisions, screening rules and Fee-Free TAFE eligibility change and vary by state. Always check the Fair Work Ombudsman, NDIS Commission, Department of Health and Aged Care, and your state government before making decisions.