Disability care courses

You’ll learn how to support people living with disability in a respectful, inclusive, and empowering way. Depending on the course you choose, you may explore topics such as:

• Person-centred care and compassionate communication

• Human rights, advocacy, and inclusive practice

• Psychology, community support, and case management

• How tools like art, exercise, nutrition, and assistive technologies can enrich daily life

• How to build trust and meaningful connections with individuals and their support networks

It depends on the area of disability care you want to work in. A qualification in nutrition will empower you to manage or prevent chronic diseases through the science of food and exercise. A qualification in community health can help you advocate for others in a case management role, or improve wellbeing in community facilities.

Postgraduate disability care degrees can teach you about topics such as dementia support, or give you the knowledge to contribute to policy development.

Book a free consultation with a student advisor to learn more about the qualifications on offer.

Yes, many disability care courses offered through Open Universities Australia include practical training. Depending on the course, this might involve work placements, hands-on projects, or skill-based learning.

For example, subjects that teach Australian Sign Language often include practical elements to help students build real communication skills. Social work and allied community service degrees may also feature placements, giving students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in professional settings.

The type and amount of practical training will vary depending on the course and university, so it's best to review individual course details or speak with a student advisor for tailored guidance.

Health-related jobs employ more than 2 million people in Australia, and the industry is expanding. But there’s still a shortage of disability workers in Australia.

After studying your disability care course, you’ll have the opportunity to build a fulfilling career that changes lives. You could become a:

• Disability support officer

• Community arts worker

• Health and welfare manager

• Social worker

• Nutritionist

• Auslan interpreter

• Health adviser

• Exercise consultant

There are also fast-growing career opportunities for home support assessors, lifestyle assistants, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support coordinators, and mental health workers.

Domestic and international students will have access to different funding, fees and assistance. Ask our student advisors if you’re unsure, and read some general information about Commonwealth supported places, HELP loans, and other methods that may be available to you.

Some universities will also offer scholarships and bursaries for disability care degrees.

Whether you’re new to healthcare, or already in the field, you may value the flexibility in studying disability care courses online—especially through Open Universities Australia.

Enrol through us, and we can unlock extra freedoms for you with your university. You can:

• Start when it suits you, because there are multiple intakes throughout the year

• Choose a course option and study load that works around your schedule, with single subjects, short courses, part-time and full-time degrees all available

• Mix and match subjects from different universities, allowing you to learn what matters to you.

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course.

Chat with us to find out more.

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.