Disability care courses

Boost the health and wellbeing of your community

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Disability care

Are you someone who cares about people? With a disability care course, you’ll harness your empathy and use it to change lives.

Healthcare is a growing field that needs people like you. You’ll make positive contributions to individuals in their daily lives. You could learn how to boost nutrition, use creative outlets to enhance wellbeing, or provide valuable support through social work.

If you’re passionate about disability care, you could use your study to aim for a career in policy or advocacy, and work to improve our communities at large.

Find your place with an online disability care course.

Explore disability care courses
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Debbie studied community development with Murdoch University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover disability care courses

Online disability care subjects and short courses

La Trobe University

Understanding and Support for Autism

UndergraduateLTU-PSY3ASD

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 28 Jul 2025
Curtin University
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 2 Jun 2025, 1 Dec 2025
University of Tasmania

Contemporary Disability Practice

UndergraduateTAS-ZAC118

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
University of South Australia
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
View all subjects

Online disability care degrees

Griffith University

Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies

PostgraduateGRF-AUS-GCE

Bring a whole-of-life approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
University of Southern Queensland

Your creativity can improve the lives of others

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Community Welfare

UndergraduateSCU-CMW-DEG

Help and support people and families in need

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
University of South Australia

Choose a career with a human touch

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

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  • Finding a study option that suits your needs
  • Understanding your funding options

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Disability care study FAQs

What will I learn in a disability care course?

You’ll learn how to support the people around you. Study a disability care course to develop practical skills that boost people’s health and wellbeing. Build your awareness of what it means to live with disability, and gain knowledge of how nutrition, art, and exercise impact quality of life.

Explore disability care degrees through Open Universities Australia, and make a difference in your area of interest—from community health to psychology.

What qualifications do I need to work in disability care?

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.

Do disability care courses include practical training?

It depends on the disability care course. Subjects that teach Australian Sign Language include practical training to boost your communication skills. Social work courses may include placements, connecting you with industry professionals who can share valuable insights.

Learn more in the subject pages when you browse disability care degrees online.

What are the job prospects for disability care professionals in Australia?

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.

What funding or financial assistance is available for disability care courses?

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.

What are the benefits of studying disability care online?

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 more 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.

Student stories and study advice

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Thinking about making a sea or country change? If you’re ready to explore life in regional Australia, you’ll find exciting job opportunities and a laid-back lifestyle that feels just right.

5 inspiring reasons to pursue a community services career

You could support people living with disability, advocate for those suffering a health crisis, or assist those experiencing family violence. Find out why a career in community services can be rewarding and varied. 

5 rewarding jobs in disability services (that aren’t support work)

If you’re drawn to a career that sees you making a difference in people’s lives every day, disability services could be your perfect fit, even if support work isn’t your goal. 

The Indigenous Voice to Parliament explained

Unclear on the Voice to Parliament? Here’s what you need to know about Australia’s upcoming referendum, which will decide if Indigenous Australians can advise on matters that affect their lives. 

We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

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Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 532,578+ students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

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As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

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