Mental Health and Disability Support Worker

Support Studio; Geelong; On-site; AUD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

1:1 supervision

Reflective practice

Team social events

Professional development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Support Studio is seeking a compassionate Disability Support Worker to join our team in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. This casual role focuses on mental health and disability support, delivering person-centred, trauma-informed care that helps participants navigate daily life and achieve goals.

You'll provide safe, respectful support, build community connections and work under supervision to ensure outcomes align with participants' choices and rights. Previous sector experience is valued.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based practice.
• Experience in supporting people with mental health and/or disability.

Responsibilities

• Support participants to achieve their NDIS goals.
• Provide safe, trauma‑informed support to individuals with complex needs.
• Implement strategies from Behaviour Support and Support Plans accurately.
• Tailor support to each person, respecting autonomy and rights.
• Build trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Communicate clearly with families, carers and the team.
• Write timely shift notes and incident reports.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Trauma-informed practice

Person-centred approach

Education

Disability or mental health qualification

First Aid and CPR certificates

Tools

NDIS knowledge

Job description

Mental Health and Disability Support Worker

$45.28 per hour + penalty rates for after-hours and weekend shifts
Casual | SCHADS Award Level 2
Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula

Great support work changes lives.

We're looking for someone who wants to be part of that.

Someone who genuinely cares about people.
Someone who believes everyone deserves to live their best life.
Someone who wants to help people turn their goals into real outcomes.

If you've spent time in this sector, you'll know that good organisations are rare.
We're trying very hard to be one of them.

Support Studio is building a workplace where people feel supported, trusted and able to do their best work.

About Support Studio

Support Studio provides high-quality support services to people living with mental health and disability.

But what really defines us is how we work together.

We believe:

Great participant outcomes come from well-supported staff

Support workers deserve real supervision and support, not just a roster

Supervision, reflective practice and staff wellbeing are essential

Work can be serious and meaningful while still being human and enjoyable

We're building an organisation where people stay because the work matters and the culture is fun.

The Role

This is a person-centred, trauma-informed support role.

As a Disability Support Worker, you'll work directly with young people and adults living with mental health or disability. You'll help them build their capacity to navigate daily challenges, build life skills and connect with their community.

You won't just be providing support.
You'll be working alongside people to ensure their choices, rights and goals are at the centre of everything we do.

Our Support Workers spend time:

Building independent living skills
Accessing the community together
Supporting education, employment, health and wellbeing goals
Building strong, respectful working relationships

You’ll be part of a team, reporting to a Lead Support Worker and working closely with our Behaviour Support Practitioners.

What you'll be responsible for

Supporting participants to achieve their NDIS goals

Providing safe, trauma-informed support to people with complex needs, including dual diagnoses and challenging behaviours

Implementing strategies from Behaviour Support Plans and Support Plans accurately and consistently

Tailoring support to each person, respecting their autonomy, choices and human rights

Building trusting relationships with participants while keeping healthy professional boundaries

Communicating clearly with families, carers, the Support Studio team and other stakeholders

Writing accurate, timely shift notes, case notes and incident reports

Identifying and escalating risks, and following the NDIS Code of Conduct

Taking part in 1:1 supervision, reflective practice, team debriefs and training

What we're looking for

You don't have to be perfect. But you do need to care deeply about the people we support.

We're looking for someone who has:

Experience supporting people living with mental health and/or disability (desirable)

A qualification in disability, mental health, community services or a related field (desirable)

An understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred practice

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

A calm, patient and reliable approach

The ability to build trust with participants, families and your team

The kind of support worker who thrives here

This role suits someone who believes in this sector.

Someone who knows the work is complex and sometimes exhausting — but believes it matters.

Someone who wants to make a real difference in people's lives, not just get through the shift.

If you believe that putting people at the centre of their support is the foundation of great work, you'll likely feel at home here.

Why work with us?

Pay: $45.28 per hour, plus penalty rates for after-hours and weekend shifts (SCHADS Award Level 2).

Flexible Work: Casual shifts across Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula.

Real Support: Regular 1:1 supervision, reflective practice and team debriefing, with leaders who back you.

Professional Development: Ongoing mandatory and specialised training, and the chance to learn alongside our Behaviour Support team.

Team Work: Join a team that is fun, caring and social, with regular social events and team building days.

Culture: We are an inclusive organisation that welcomes individuality and diversity. Our hierarchy is bottom up, not top down - our leaders exist to support you.

Child Safety

Support Studio is a child safe organisation. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and have zero tolerance for child abuse. Child safety is part of our recruitment process, including interview questions about child safety values and referee checks. All staff complete child safety training and sign our Child Safety Code of Conduct.

Requirements

Driver's licence and car insurance

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Working With Children Check

Right to work in Australia

Current First Aid and CPR certificates

Completion of the NDIS Worker Orientation Module and New Worker NDIS Induction Module (or willingness to complete)