NDIS Support Worker - Complex Needs

Disability Support Worker – Complex Needs

Life Lifting Australia

Location: [Brisbane / Insert Location]

Employment Type: Casual / Part-Time

NDIS Disability Support Services

About the Role

Life Lifting Australia is seeking experienced, reliable and compassionate Disability Support Workers to support participants with complex and high support needs.

This role is suited to workers who are confident supporting participants who may have intellectual disability, autism, complex communication needs, behaviours of concern and high personal care needs.

We are looking for people who can remain calm, professional and consistent during challenging situations, follow established support plans and work collaboratively with families, allied health professionals and the broader support team.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on the individual participant's needs, duties may include:

Personal care including showering, toileting, continence support, dressing, grooming and oral care

Medication assistance in accordance with medication charts, Webster packs, organisational procedures and individual support plans

Meal preparation and assistance with daily living activities

Household tasks and maintaining a clean, safe and organised environment

Supporting structured daily routines and meaningful activities

Community access and participation

Using visual prompts, communication aids, videos and other established communication strategies

Supporting participants with emotional and behavioural regulation

Following Behaviour Support Plans, risk assessments and participant-specific strategies

Completing accurate shift notes, medication records, behaviour observations, incident reports and other required documentation

Providing clear handovers and promptly escalating concerns

Working collaboratively and respectfully with participants, families, Behaviour Support Practitioners, allied health professionals and management

Supporting Behaviours of Concern

Some participants may experience significant dysregulation or behaviours of concern, particularly during transitions, changes in routine, personal care, communication difficulties or periods of distress.

Depending on the participant, behaviours may include:

Hitting, kicking, biting, scratching or pulling hair

Throwing objects or food

Property disruption or damage

Verbal escalation

Refusal or difficulty transitioning between activities

Absconding or other unsafe behaviours

Escalation during personal care or daily routines

Applicants must be comfortable working in environments where these behaviours may occur.

Workers are expected to remain calm, maintain professional boundaries, follow the participant's established strategies and prioritise the safety, dignity and wellbeing of everyone involved.

Workers must never introduce their own restrictive response or implement an unapproved restrictive practice.

Behaviour Support & Restrictive Practices

Some participants may have Behaviour Support Plans and approved regulated restrictive practices.

Workers supporting these participants must:

Follow the current Behaviour Support Plan exactly

Only implement strategies they are trained, competent and authorised to use

Understand their responsibilities relating to regulated restrictive practices

Complete all required documentation and reporting

Immediately report incidents, concerns or changes in behaviour

Seek guidance from management whenever instructions or strategies are unclear

Participant-specific training and competency requirements will apply before workers independently implement relevant supports.

What We Expect From Our Support Workers

Consistency is essential. Complex support requires workers who can follow established routines and strategies rather than changing approaches based on personal preference.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

Calm and confident communication

Strong professional boundaries

Patience and emotional resilience

Reliability and consistency

Excellent observation skills

Accurate and timely documentation

Strong medication safety practices

Respect for participant choice, dignity, privacy and confidentiality

Ability to follow detailed instructions, support plans and risk controls

Willingness to ask questions rather than make assumptions

Professional communication with families and multidisciplinary teams

Ability to maintain a safe and respectful environment throughout every shift

Training & Participant Matching

Workers will not be expected to walk into complex supports without preparation.

Before working independently, successful applicants may be required to:

Complete organisational induction

Review participant-specific support plans, risk assessments and behaviour support documentation

Attend participant-specific training

Complete shadow shifts

Demonstrate competency in relevant support tasks

Attend team meetings, supervision and refresher training

Complete medication and behaviour support training where applicable

Workers will be matched with participants based on their experience, competencies, availability and suitability for the participant's individual needs.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should have, or be willing to obtain where appropriate:

Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Disability, Community Services or a relevant qualification

NDIS Worker Screening Clearance

Working with Children Check/Blue Card where required

Current First Aid and CPR

Current Australian driver's licence

Reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle where transport is required

Relevant NDIS Worker Orientation training

Ability to complete clear and professional documentation

Availability to work flexible shifts, which may include afternoons, evenings, weekends and public holidays

Highly Regarded

We particularly welcome applicants with experience in:

Complex behaviours of concern

Autism and intellectual disability

Positive Behaviour Support

Non-verbal or complex communication

Personal care and continence support

Medication assistance

Community access and safety

High-risk behaviours or absconding

Trauma-informed support

Working collaboratively with families and allied health professionals

Who This Role Is Best Suited To

This position may suit you if you are someone who can remain calm when a participant is distressed, follow structured support strategies consistently and understand that behaviour is often a form of communication.

We are looking for workers who do not take behaviours personally, can maintain professional boundaries and are genuinely committed to learning how each participant needs to be supported.

Complex disability support requires more than simply attending a shift. It requires consistency, observation, patience, accountability and teamwork.

Pay: $36.50 – $45.50 per hour

Expected hours: 5.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person