COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Work Health & Safety Responsibilities in Disability Support course. This program has been developed to ensure that disability support professionals, including NDIS workers, supervisors, and service providers, fully understand their legal obligations and practical responsibilities under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. Delivered in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), this training will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and legal literacy required to protect both themselves and the participants they support. By fostering a safety-first culture, the course strengthens not only compliance but also the dignity, autonomy, and wellbeing of people with disability.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) refers to the collective responsibilities, laws, and practices that ensure safe environments for all persons involved in service delivery. In disability support, WHS is critical for safeguarding vulnerable participants, ensuring staff wellbeing, and maintaining organisational accountability. This course begins by introducing the WHS within the disability sector, explains the purpose of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (and its state/territory equivalents), and links these laws directly to the NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Code of Conduct. It explains how WHS obligations are not separate from person-centred care—but are integral to ethical, professional, and sustainable support delivery.

Support workers and employers both have enforceable responsibilities under WHS law. This section explores the concept of a “primary duty of care” and explains the legal obligations of Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), supervisors, and frontline workers. Participants will learn how to meet expectations such as reporting hazards, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and following safe work procedures. It also addresses the responsibilities of organisations when engaging contractors, volunteers, and unregistered workers—emphasising that WHS compliance is a shared and ongoing responsibility, not a one-off task.

The NDIS Code of Conduct requires all support workers to act safely, respectfully, and competently. This section explores how the Code reinforces WHS law and how ethical conduct must be balanced with risk management. Key issues include managing participant choice when safety is at risk, reporting unsafe practices by others, and documenting incidents or concerns. Participants will explore how to align their legal duties with their ethical obligation to provide safe, empowering, and rights-based care.

Disability support is delivered in a wide range of environments, each with its own unique hazards. This section provides practical guidance on identifying and reporting hazards in homes, vehicles, community spaces, and service facilities. It covers physical risks such as manual handling and environmental obstacles, as well as behavioural risks linked to unpredictable or aggressive behaviours. Learners will explore how to document hazards, initiate timely responses, and contribute to safer, more responsive service delivery.

Effective WHS management begins with sound risk assessment and control. This section introduces the standard risk management cycle—identifying hazards, assessing risks, controlling risks, and reviewing measures. It explores the hierarchy of control framework, from elimination through to PPE, and shows how these apply to disability support. Individualised risk plans for participants are examined in detail, particularly in situations where participants wish to make choices that carry inherent risk.

Infection control is vital in disability support settings where close personal care, shared environments, and medical tasks are routine. This section outlines standard precautions and transmission-based infection control measures, including PPE use, hand hygiene, surface sanitation, and safe disposal of bodily fluids. Current COVID-19 protocols and airborne illness considerations are discussed, alongside the importance of hygiene in participants' homes, shared facilities, and community spaces.

Manual handling is one of the most common sources of injury in disability support work. This section outlines legal and procedural requirements for safe manual handling, and introduces principles of body mechanics and posture. Participants will learn how to plan safe lifting tasks, support transfers between mobility aids, use mechanical lifting devices, and coordinate team lifts. Pre-planning, communication, and safe technique are highlighted as essential to injury prevention.

Assistive technology is an integral part of modern disability support. This section details responsibilities when using hoists, beds, mobility devices, wheelchairs, and digital monitoring tools. Learners will understand how to perform pre-use checks, follow manufacturer guidelines, report faulty equipment, and safely store devices. The safe use of digital tablets and remote support technologies is also covered, especially where these are integrated into daily support routines.

Responding to incidents is a legal and professional obligation. This section outlines what constitutes a workplace incident or near-miss, how to report internally and externally, and when reporting is mandatory under WHS law or to the NDIS Commission. Emergency response procedures for fire, evacuation, medical emergencies, and violence are discussed, with emphasis on accurate documentation and continuous learning following incidents.

Lone workers face heightened risks when supporting participants in private homes or unfamiliar public spaces. This section addresses the protocols required to manage these risks, including lone worker policies, GPS check-in systems, and emergency communication plans. Participants will learn how to assess homes before entering, when to decline work that feels unsafe, and how to escalate concerns without fear of reprisal.

Psychological health is as important as physical safety. This section explores common sources of psychological strain in disability support roles, such as burnout, exposure to trauma, and managing aggressive behaviour. Strategies for building mentally healthy workplaces include respectful communication, debriefing processes, access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and fostering a team-based culture of mutual support.

PPE is a frontline defence against physical, biological, and chemical hazards. This section explains the different types of PPE used in disability support—such as gloves, gowns, masks, and face shields—and how to wear, remove, and dispose of them safely. Legal obligations for both employers and workers to ensure correct PPE use are detailed, alongside the consequences of non-compliance.

Disability support is often delivered in shared or multidisciplinary environments. This section examines how to manage joint WHS responsibilities alongside nurses, cleaners, allied health professionals, and informal carers. It discusses communication protocols, documentation practices, and how to avoid role confusion. Collaborative risk management and shared safety planning are introduced as essential tools in delivering safe and coordinated support.

Transporting participants introduces a specific set of WHS risks. This section provides practical guidance on vehicle checks, safe loading and unloading of mobility aids, correct restraint use, and maintenance of vehicle safety logs. It also addresses driver fatigue, medical fitness to drive, and how to respond to road incidents or near misses. Ensuring passenger comfort and dignity remains a central priority.

Participants' homes are often the primary site of service delivery, yet they are not traditional workplaces. This section explains how to conduct environmental assessments in private homes, modify support techniques to suit different layouts, and communicate hazards to supervisors or families. Infection control, slip hazards, clutter, and poor lighting are explored, along with strategies for maintaining privacy while ensuring safety.

Support workers have the legal right to refuse unsafe work. This section explores the lawful grounds for refusing work that poses serious risk, and the correct steps for escalating safety concerns. Participants will learn how to document their refusals, follow organisational procedures, and maintain legal protection against retaliation. The importance of reporting breaches of WHS law or the NDIS Code of Conduct is reinforced throughout.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the legal knowledge, safety practices, and ethical clarity required to uphold Work Health and Safety in every aspect of disability support. Your ability to recognise hazards, assess risk, act legally, and advocate for safe environments ensures the safety and dignity of both participants and workers—and supports the delivery of high-quality, rights-based care in accordance with Australia’s WHS laws and NDIS standards.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Work Health and Safety in Disability Support

·       Definition of Work Health and Safety (WHS) in disability support

·       Why WHS is critical for NDIS participants, support workers, and organisations

·       Overview of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (and state equivalents)

·       Relationship between WHS laws and NDIS Practice Standards (including the Code of Conduct)

2. WHS Responsibilities of Support Workers and Employers

·       Primary duty of care: what employers and workers are legally required to do

·       Support worker duties: follow procedures, report hazards, use PPE correctly, etc.

·       PCBU responsibilities (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking)

·       Supervisory obligations for contractors, volunteers, and unregistered providers

·       Shared responsibility and workplace safety culture

3. NDIS Code of Conduct and WHS Responsibilities

·       Code of Conduct requirement to act safely and competently

·       Participant-centred support while maintaining WHS compliance

·       Respecting dignity while managing risk (e.g. choice vs safety)

·       Reporting others who are acting unsafely

·       Linking ethical practice with legal duties

4. Hazard Identification in Disability Support Settings

·       Common hazards in homes, vehicles, community spaces, and facilities

·       Manual handling risks (lifting, repositioning, transfers)

·       Behavioural hazards (aggression, violence, unpredictable behaviour)

·       Environmental hazards (trip risks, clutter, poor lighting, infection risk)

·       How to report and document identified hazards

5. Risk Assessment and Risk Management

·       The risk assessment process: identify, assess, control, review

·       Hierarchy of control measures: eliminate, substitute, engineer, isolate, administer, PPE

·       Creating and reviewing individualised risk plans for participants

·       Balancing participant choice with safety obligations

·       Understanding dynamic risk in real-time environments

6. Infection Control and Hygiene Practices

·       Infection risks in personal care, shared spaces, and medical tasks

·       Standard and transmission-based precautions

·       Use of gloves, masks, hand hygiene, surface cleaning

·       COVID-19 protocols and managing airborne/respiratory risks

·       Waste disposal, laundry, and handling bodily fluids

7. Manual Handling and Safe Body Mechanics

·       Legal obligations under manual handling regulations

·       Basic principles of body movement and lifting

·       Techniques for assisting participants safely (bed to chair, vehicle entry, etc.)

·       Use of mechanical aids and team lifts

·       Avoiding injury through pre-planning and communication

8. Safe Use of Equipment and Assistive Technology

·       Responsibilities when using hoists, wheelchairs, beds, and other mobility aids

·       Pre-use checks and safe storage procedures

·       Manufacturer instructions and training requirements

·       Tagging and reporting faulty equipment

·       Digital tools: safe use of tablets, phones, or monitoring devices

9. Incident Reporting and Emergency Procedures

·       What counts as a workplace incident or near-miss

·       How and when to report incidents (internally and externally)

·       Notifiable incidents and reporting to SafeWork and/or the NDIS Commission

·       Emergency response plans for fire, aggression, first aid, evacuation, etc.

·       Documenting and learning from incidents for continuous improvement

10. Lone Worker Safety and Community-Based Support

·       Risks of working alone in home and community settings

·       Lone worker protocols: check-in systems, emergency plans, GPS tracking

·       Working safely in unknown or high-risk environments

·       Assessing new client homes before first visits

·       When to decline unsafe work

11. Psychological Health and Safety

·       Recognising and managing work-related stress, burnout, and trauma

·       Creating mentally healthy workplaces

·       Support services, debriefing, and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) options

·       Respectful communication and team culture

·       Managing exposure to emotionally challenging content

12. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use and Responsibilities

·       Types of PPE used in disability support settings

·       Correct fitting, usage, and disposal of PPE

·       Legal requirements and organisational policies

·       Worker responsibilities to wear PPE when required

·       Consequences of non-compliance

13. Working in Shared or Multi-Disciplinary Environments

·       Coordination with other professionals

·       Shared duty of care and joint risk responsibilities

·       Communication protocols in shared environments

·       Avoiding role confusion and scope overlap

·       Collaborative safety planning

14. Transportation and Vehicle Safety

·       Safe use of vehicles for transporting participants

·       Vehicle checks and maintenance logs

·       Securing mobility aids and passenger restraints

·       Reporting road incidents or near misses

·       Driver fatigue and fitness to drive

15. WHS Considerations for Participants' Homes

·       Conducting environmental assessments before service delivery

·       Modifying support techniques to fit home layouts

·       Communicating hazards to supervisors and families

·       Household infection control practices

·       Respecting privacy while ensuring safety

16. Refusing Unsafe Work and Reporting Non-Compliance

·       Legal right to refuse work that poses serious risk

·       How to escalate safety concerns within the organisation

·       Documenting refusals and follow-up outcomes

·       Protection from retaliation or adverse treatment

·       Reporting breaches of WHS law or NDIS Code of Conduct

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.