Occupational therapy | Physiotherapy | Case management | Rehabilitation | Assistive technology | Speech therapy | Adaptive equipment | Nutrition | Auslan interpreting | Psychology | Music and art therapies | Social work | Communication

Specialist Support includes a broad range of areas under the general term of ‘allied health’ such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and social work. As well as other specialist services like interpreting, art and music therapy, providing aids and equipment and assistive technology.

In Specialist Support jobs you will undertake work in areas such as assessments, planning, interventions, behavioural support and counselling. You will often work with other professionals to provide holistic supports for people with disability.

A range of organisations have specialist support jobs. You could work for organisations that provide disability support, community or mental health services, or for a private practice, or hospital.

You can expect to work with a range of people with disability with different needs including children, older people and people from different backgrounds.

Is a Specialist Support job for you?

Jobs in Specialist Support suit people who are qualified in a specialist area and want to focus on disability work or expand their expertise to the disability industry.

Specialist support jobs suit people who:

• Enjoy working with people in a community setting
• Can apply knowledge and skills to a range of different situations
• Enjoy working with a team of professionals can be creative and responsive
• Are solutions focussed
• Are good communicators with good interpersonal skills
• Have personal integrity

Rewards and benefits of Specialist Support jobs

Working in Specialist Support provides flexible and rewarding careers that make a real difference in people’s lives. The disability industry offers workers a number of benefits:

• Make a difference – see people achieve their goals, good health and wellbeing and participate in their community.
• Job variety – no two days are ever the same.
• Entry level opportunities – many organisations are willing to employ new graduates.
• Professional development – organisations support specialists to continue their professional development.
• Salary and benefits – some organisations offer salary packaging and other employee
• Growth industry – the disability and community services industry is one of Queensland’s largest employers and with the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), there will be an increased demand for specialist supports into the future.

New possibilities

Under the NDIS, people with disability can access a wider range of supports to help them pursue their goals. There will be opportunities for specialist supports which help people with disability have greater participation in the community and employment.

Existing disability service providers may expand their business to include a greater range of specialist services such as music or art therapy and individual specialists may register as an NDIS provider. Businesses may consider opportunities like developing new innovative assistive technologies and software applications which allow people with disability to achieve greater independence in their home, in the community or at work.

How to get Specialist Support jobs

Training requirements vary but most Specialist Support jobs require tertiary study to practice in Australia. Some specialist support services are more specialised than others and can require extensive training including postgraduate study and continuing professional development. Many specialist professions also require mandatory registration with a professional board or regulation agency.

Universities and training organisations offer a range of courses covering specialist support areas. Find out more about Education and Training.

Find out more about Career Support in the disability industry.