To become registered, disability workers must be competent in speaking or communicating in English when practising as a disability worker.
It is important for someone providing disability services to be able to communicate with the person with disability using the service, as well as to their family, advocates, other service providers and regulators. Disability workers must also be able to read and understand a person’s disability support and healthcare plans to ensure they understand and respond to the person’s needs.
People are asked whether they are competent communicating in English when they apply for registration. The Board considers whether the applicant can speak or otherwise communicate in English sufficiently to practise as a disability worker when assessing their suitability for registration.
The Board’s approved registration standard for English language (the English language standard) sets out that the Board’s minimum English language requirement is Vocational English. It also sets out how an applicant can self-assess whether they meet the English language standard.
Click here to read the English language standard PDF/Word
Frequently asked questions
The level of English needed for registered disability workers to practice as a disability worker is ‘Vocational English’.
Vocational English refers to the ability to use English effectively in a specific job or trade. This means you can understand and use the language needed for work tasks, communicating with colleagues, following instructions and handling job-related documents.
Vocational English is the level required to get a migrant working visa in the disability and aged care sectors. Vocational English is also known as Vocational English International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 5. More information about Vocational English is on the Department of Home Affairs website.
There are several ways to confirm that you satisfy the Vocational English language level. These include you:
- completed relevant study in or outside Australia and instruction was in English
- undertook a recognised English language test
- hold a valid passport from a list of approved countries.
If at least one of these circumstances apply, then you have Vocational English and meet the English language standard.
More information about the Vocational English level is on the Department of Home Affairs website.
If you use Auslan or a language other than English to provide disability services, you may not meet the requirements for Vocational English.
If you don’t have Vocational English, you should answer no to the question ‘Can you competently communicate in English?’. You will then be asked about other ways you communicate effectively when providing disability services.
The Board may ask for more information about how you communicate with a person with disability, as well as their representatives, other service providers and regulators. This may include:
- other languages, assistive technology or any other methods you use to communicate
- your area of practice
- your level of supervision.
If you don’t meet the English language standard, the Board will review available information to determine your suitability to practice as a disability worker. The Board may:
- propose to grant registration subject to a condition
- accept an undertaking
- propose to refuse your application for registration.
If the Board proposes to grant registration subject to a condition or to refuse your application for registration, we will invite you to respond to the Board’s proposal. The Board will consider any submission you make before deciding your application.
Contact the registration team on 1800 497 132 or email registration@vdwc.vic.gov.au.