Professional development is important for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) workers. Fortunately, many training resources exist for helping Australia’s NDIS workers learn how to effectively operate within the NDIS framework for supporting plan participants.
In addition to helping NDIS workers bring their best to their clients, training programs also help NDIS workers to thrive in their careers. Courses and training modules are available from both official NDIS sources and independent educational companies.
These resources are great for aspiring NDIS workers, new NDIS workers, and seasoned NDIS workers looking to sharpen their skills.
Take a look at some of the best online NDIS training courses available today.
Worker Orientation Module
https://training.ndiscommission.gov.au/
Offered through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission eLearning portal, the NDIS Quality, Safety and You worker orientation module provides a great introduction for new NDIS workers.
What’s more, completion of the module is actually a prerequisite for disability support workers and NDIS workers seeking employment in the NDIS market.
This online NDIS training course covers:
- Obligations of NDIS workers under the NDIS Code of Conduct.
- The role and purpose of the NDIS.
- The role of NDIS workers in achieving the NDIS vision.
This interactive module takes 90 minutes to complete. Learners will engage in questions regarding various scenarios that might be encountered as an NDIS worker. A Certificate of Completion is provided upon completion.
New Worker Induction Module
https://training.ndiscommission.gov.au/
Intended to be completed after the Worker Orientation Module, the New Worker Induction Module is an eight-part course that’s been developed to help new workers become familiar with NDIS standards.
This module covers:
- Disability awareness.
- Privacy and confidentiality.
- Safe workplaces.
- NDIS Code of Conduct.
- Incident management.
- “Know the person” training.
- Risk identification and management.
- Management of challenging situations.
The NDIS launched the New Worker Induction Module during the COVID-19 pandemic as a useful virtual resource. It is considered essential material for someone getting into the care-provider profession for the first time.
While this module does not replace role-specific training, it is essential for understanding policies and procedures.
DSC Online NDIS Training Courses
https://teamdsc.com.au/training
DSC is a leading provider of online NDIS training courses. The coursework designed by this educational company is overseen by disability experts at the PhD, MBA, and doctoral levels.
The DSC course roster covers nearly every subject under the sun related to NDIS standards and practices.
Course topics include time management, budgeting, NDIS assistive technology, risk management for support workers, psychosocial support coordination, complex support needs, and much more.
Support Coordination Academy
https://www.scacademy.com.au/support-coordinator-training-course
Support Coordination Academy offers online NDIS support coordination courses and resources designed to help NDIS support coordinators excel in their roles.
Courses offered through this company include Capacity Building and Adding Value, Care Notes, Action Plans and NDIS Reporting, OCT Support Coordination Fundamentals, and Managing Crisis and Significant Change in Circumstance.
This is a great company for NDIS professionals seeking immersive online learning experiences. In addition to offering individual courses, Support Coordination Academy also hosts all-day training workshops for professional development.
Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Southwest Tafe)
This six-week (40 hours) course offered by Southwest Tafe offers a “deep dive” into everything new NDIS workers need to know regarding how to support an NDIS participant in achieving set goals, maintaining personal safety, completing documentation, and working effectively with others.
It also provides a broad overview of the NDIS. In fact, Southwest Tafe has assembled the closest thing to “NDIS University” for workers.
Some topics covered include:
- Who meets eligibility criteria for accessing the NDIS.
- How the NDIS will interact with other insurance/care systems.
- How the scheme will meet the long-term needs of people with disability, their families, and their care providers.
- How to access information and referrals for support services in the community.
- How to access individually tailored supports based on a nationwide assessment process.
- How the NDIS will help people with a disability achieve their goals.
- The portability of entitlements across borders.
Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme is offered fully virtually through Webex Virtual Classroom. It is offered to both current and aspiring NDIS workers. A Southwest Tafe Statement of Attainment is issued upon completion.
Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Victoria University)
This eight-day course is offered online three times per year. During the eight-day experience, students will complete three hours of instruction.
The purpose of this course is to help professionals learn how to assist an NDIS participant in achieving goals outlined in their support plan by taking appropriate actions within a human-rights framework to ensure NDIS participant personal safety, proper document handling, and effective collaboration with other support professionals.
Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Swinburn University)
The Course in Introduction to the National Disability Insurance Scheme offered by Swinburn consists of 11 sessions.
It is designed to provide learners with a broad overview of the NDIS initiative, the NDIS Act, the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework, and essential skills needed to support NDIS participants in safely and effectively achieving their set goals.
This course is open to both experienced and aspiring support workers.
NDIS Simple Financial Management
This webinar training series offered by Tim Flowers is available for free.
An ideal choice for someone who cannot commit to a long-term course, NDIS Simple Financial Management helps support providers gain an understanding of the professional, practical, and financial aspects of working as an NDIS provider.
Topics covered include growth, risk management, smart support design, and more. Many models and templates are provided.
Related article: Interested in becoming an NDIS Support Coordinator? Check out How to Become an NDIS Support Coordinator here.
Related article: Interested in becoming an NDIS Plan Manager? Check out How to Become an NDIS Plan Manager here.
Related article: Interested in becoming a registered NDIS Provider? Check out How to Become an NDIS Provider here.