Disability Support Worker Resume: A Practical Writing Guide

Most disability support resumes work well in reverse-chronological order, listing your most recent role first. Open with a short summary, then your checks and qualifications, followed by work history, skills and referees.

• Contact details
• Short summary of your experience and approach to support work
• Relevant checks and qualifications
• Work history with specific duties and outcomes
• Skills relevant to support work
• Referees or a note that they are available on request

Support work in Australia generally involves several background checks and sometimes formal qualifications. List the ones you hold clearly near the top of your resume, including the type of check and whether it is current, without including numbers or personal identifiers that should stay off a public document.

• NDIS Worker Screening Check (or confirmation it is in progress)
• Working with Children Check, where the role involves younger participants
• First aid and CPR certificate, noting the level completed
• A relevant qualification, such as a Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, if held
• A current driver licence, if the role requires transporting participants

Person-centred language describes the person before the support they receive and focuses on their goals and preferences rather than framing them only in terms of a diagnosis or limitation. Using this language on your resume signals that you understand current practice in the sector.

• Describe participants by their goals and preferences, not only their diagnosis
• Use phrases such as "supported a participant to" rather than "cared for" where appropriate
• Mention how you adapted your approach to an individual’s communication style or routine
• Avoid language that frames a person solely by what they cannot do

For each role, describe the setting, your main duties and a specific example of how you supported someone. Specific detail is more convincing than general statements about being caring or reliable.

• Note the setting: in-home, community access, respite or residential
• Mention documentation and reporting duties, since accuracy matters in this field
• Include any experience with specific equipment, such as hoists or communication devices
• Reference teamwork with coordinators, allied health workers or family members

Employers look for a combination of practical competence and interpersonal qualities. Where possible, support each quality with a short example rather than listing it alone.

• Communication, including with participants who use alternative communication methods
• Manual handling and safe use of mobility equipment
• Medication support, if you are trained and authorised to assist
• Behaviour support, including de-escalation where you have relevant training
• Cultural awareness and flexibility when supporting people from diverse backgrounds

In support work, referees are often contacted before an offer is made, so choose people who can speak directly to your reliability and the quality of your support, such as a previous coordinator, team leader or supervisor rather than a family member or friend.

• Ask each referee before listing them and confirm their preferred contact method
• Choose referees who directly supervised or coordinated your support work where possible
• Provide their role and organisation, not only their name and number
• Keep formatting consistent throughout, with clear headings and even spacing

• Omitting current checks or leaving dates vague
• Using deficit-focused language that describes a participant only by their limitations
• Writing duties in generic terms without a specific example
• Forgetting to mention documentation or reporting experience, which many roles require
• Listing referees without checking they are willing and able to be contacted

Review your resume against this list before applying.

• Current checks and certificates are listed with status noted
• Summary reflects your experience and approach to support work
• Each role includes a specific, person-centred example
• Documentation and reporting experience is mentioned where relevant
• Language focuses on the person’s goals, not only their diagnosis
• Referees are willing to be contacted and their details are current
• The document is two pages or fewer and clearly formatted