Fuelling careers in disability support

TO strengthen Victoria’s disability workforce the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has opened applications for the Regional Disability Worker Scholarships.

Disability support work students living in regional or rural Victoria are eligible to apply, with $3500 available to help them complete their qualifications.

The program is designed to help aspiring disability support workers with the financial costs of their studies, which will include the unpaid placement part of the course.

Easing financial pressures will allow them to gain experience in the sector, complete their studies and start fuelling careers in regional and rural disability services.

A DFFH spokesperson said the scholarships will help boost the number of disability support workers across the state, making sure Victorians relying on them get the support they need.

“The Regional Disability Worker Scholarships will boost our disability workforce, making it easier for regional Victorians studying disability support work to complete the unpaid placement component of their study, by providing financial support,” they said.

Applicants must by studying with an approved Victorian training provider and have unpaid placement hours in 2024 or 2025.

There is a limited number of scholarships available with priority given to those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, students with disabilities, in regional areas with high workforce needs and studying Certificate IV in Disability support.

Applications are open now and will close on Friday 20 December.

For more information, the full list of criteria and to apply, head to dffh.vic.gov.au/regional-disability-worker-scholarships.