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GROUP HOME SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Gender Representation

83% Female

Median Age

43

Median Weekly Earnings

$1642

Average Weekly Hours

38 Hours

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

A Group Home Support Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and quality of care provided within supported accommodation for people living with disabilities. They ensure that all residents receive consistent, person-centred support that promotes independence, dignity, and safety.

This role combines frontline support with leadership duties, including supervising a team of Disability Support Workers, managing staff rosters, coordinating medical appointments, maintaining household standards, and ensuring compliance with NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements.

Group Home Support Coordinators also liaise with families, guardians, allied health professionals, and external providers to ensure each resident’s support plan is being followed and their changing needs are met.
This position requires excellent communication, multitasking, and leadership skills, along with a strong understanding of supported independent living (SIL), behaviour support practices, and documentation standards. It’s ideal for those with a background in direct disability support and a passion for mentoring others. A qualification in Disability, Community Services, or Leadership and Management is often required, along with experience in a similar role.

MARKET SIZE & ECONOMIC IMPACT

Australia’s disability services sector is one of the fastest-growing areas in health and community care, driven by the ongoing rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and a growing demand for personalised support. The sector employs over 270,000 workers and supports nearly 600,000 Australians living with disability, with numbers expected to rise in the coming years.
 

The disability industry plays a vital role in promoting inclusion, independence, and participation—contributing significantly to employment, especially in regional and community settings. Disability Support Workers are employed across a broad range of environments including home care, supported accommodation, day programs, schools, and therapeutic services.
 

The continued expansion of the NDIS, alongside broader reforms in aged care and mental health, has led to increased government investment and a greater focus on person-centred support. As services evolve to meet more complex needs—particularly in the areas of psychosocial disability, behavioural support, and early intervention—the demand for skilled, compassionate workers continues to grow.

With flexible work opportunities, varied career pathways, and ongoing funding commitments, the disability sector offers a stable and purpose-driven career path that will remain essential to Australia’s social and economic wellbeing.

EMERGING TRENDS & FUTURE OUTLOOK

The Australian disability support industry is undergoing a significant transformation, shaped by changing social attitudes, evolving client expectations, and the ongoing expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). With a greater emphasis on inclusion, choice, and control, services are shifting away from institutional models towards more flexible, community-based support that empowers individuals to live independently and participate fully in society.
 

A key trend is the movement towards personalised, person-centred care that recognises the unique goals, cultural identity, and support needs of each individual. Disability Support Workers are expected to adopt more holistic, culturally safe, and trauma-informed practices, especially when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, CALD communities, and those with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities.
 

There is also a strong push to embed support coordination and capacity-building approaches into everyday care. This means helping clients develop life skills, access community activities, and navigate services with greater confidence—placing disability support roles at the heart of long-term, meaningful outcomes. Technology is rapidly transforming the sector, with digital care platforms, mobile documentation apps, and telehealth playing a growing role in service delivery. Assistive technologies—from smart home devices and speech-generating tablets to mobility aids and wearable health monitors—are expanding the ways support workers can help clients live more independently and safely.
 

Looking forward, the demand for qualified, empathetic disability workers is set to increase—particularly in regional areas, mental health support, early childhood intervention, and complex behaviour management. As the NDIS continues to evolve, the industry is placing more value on specialist skills, ongoing professional development, and cross-sector collaboration with allied health and aged care teams.
 

Overall, the future of the disability industry is deeply promising—offering flexible, community-focused, and purpose-driven career opportunities for those passionate about inclusion, empowerment, and social change.

CURRENT & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Specialise in High-Need Support Areas

With increasing complexity in resident needs, coordinators with expertise in the following areas are in strong demand:

  • Dementia Support – Lead staff in delivering structured, respectful care to residents experiencing memory loss and cognitive decline.

  • Palliative Care – Oversee end-of-life support that prioritises dignity, comfort, and emotional wellbeing for residents and their families.

  • Mental Health & Psychosocial Disability – Coordinate recovery-focused supports for residents with complex behavioural or emotional needs.

  • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) – Manage the implementation of behaviour support plans in collaboration with allied health practitioners.

Progress Into Senior Leadership Roles

This role is an excellent foundation for more advanced or specialised positions across the care and disability sectors:

  • Pathways may include:

    • House Manager / Residential Services Manager

    • Quality and Compliance Officer

    • NDIS Practice Lead / Support Coordinator

    • Behaviour Support Practitioner

  • Many organisations support professional development through mentoring, leadership programs, and internal promotions.

Ongoing Upskilling Opportunities

Continual learning is key to staying relevant and confident in your role:

  • Take short courses in NDIS compliance, incident investigation, trauma-informed care, or medication administration.

  • Attend sector-specific webinars and workshops on policy updates, staff supervision, and risk management.

  • Explore credentials aligned with NDIS Practice Standards, such as Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner training or service auditing.

Make a Lasting Impact in Residential Care

  • Build strong, trusting relationships with residents and their families.

  • Mentor and support frontline workers to deliver consistent, compassionate care.

  • Drive a culture of safety, respect, and growth within the home—making it a true community, not just a service.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH

CORE SKILLS YOU NEED

Team Leadership & Supervision

Complex Care Coordination

Communication & Conflict Resolution

Digital
Literacy

Problem Solving & Risk Management

Do you want to lead a care team, support residents with complex needs, and ensure that every person in your home environment receives respectful, consistent support? Becoming a Group Home Support Coordinator is a practical and rewarding pathway into leadership in the disability and community care sector—without needing a university degree.

You don’t need prior experience—just a passion for helping others, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead with empathy and structure. With the right training, you’ll be ready to oversee daily operations, manage support workers, and uphold quality care in group home settings. To become a Group Home Support Coordinator, you’ll typically need to complete a nationally recognised course such as:

  • Certificate IV in Disability

  • Certificate IV in Leadership and Management

  • Certificate IV in Community Services

  • Certificate IV in Mental Health

  • Certificate IV in Ageing Support

  • First Aid & CPR (HLTAID011)

  • Manual Handling & Infection Control Training

  • Short Courses in Medication Administration, Behaviour Support, Cultural Competency, or Incident Investigation

GET QUALIFIED TO START YOUR CAREER

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