Beyond Seek: Niche Platforms to Try for Disability Roles

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, welcome back to the EnableUs Community Podcast! I’m Will, and as always, I’m joined by Winter. Today, we’re diving into something that’s been coming up a lot in our community—where to actually find the right people for NDIS roles, especially if you’re tired of the same old job boards.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Hey everyone! Yeah, this is a big one. I mean, Seek and Indeed—they’re kind of the default, right? But honestly, for NDIS providers, they can be a bit of a letdown. You pay a premium, your ad’s up there with hundreds of others, and half the applicants don’t even know what NDIS stands for.

Will, EnableUs Community

Exactly! I remember my first job search in the sector—this was, what, maybe five years ago? I was scrolling through Seek, and it was just a wall of generic ads. It was so hard to tell which ones were actually about making a difference, and which were just, you know, “support worker needed, must have car.” It all kind of blurs together.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And it’s not just the cost, either. It’s the audience. Those big boards are for everyone—so you get people from retail, hospitality, all sorts of backgrounds, but not necessarily folks who understand disability or are looking for purpose-driven work. Your ad just gets lost in the noise.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and I think that’s why so many providers end up frustrated. You’re competing with hundreds of listings, and the people you really want—the ones who care about values, who get the sector—they’re probably not even looking there. It’s like fishing in the wrong pond, you know?

Winter, EnableUs Community

Totally. And as we talked about in our episode on writing job ads, even the best ad can’t do much if it’s buried under a pile of unrelated jobs. So, if you’re feeling like you’re not getting the right applicants, it might not be your ad—it might just be where you’re posting it.

Winter, EnableUs Community

So, let’s talk about where you should be looking instead. There are some amazing niche platforms out there that are basically built for this sector. EthicalJobs.com.au is a big one—if you haven’t checked it out, it’s all about connecting people who want to make a difference with organisations that need them. I’ve seen everything from support worker gigs to team leader roles on there.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, EthicalJobs is great for finding people who are already values-driven. I know a provider who found their whole admin team through Pro Bono Australia Jobs, actually. It’s a bit smaller, but the people you get are super aligned with social causes. You might not get a flood of applicants, but the ones you do get are usually spot on.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And then there’s Mable and Hireup. These are more for support workers, but what’s cool is that everyone’s pre-vetted, and you can find people with really specific experience—like autism support, or high-complexity care. I actually met one of the most passionate support workers I know through a Facebook Group post for a local disability initiative. She wasn’t even looking on the big job boards—she was in the community, looking for ways to help.

Will, EnableUs Community

That’s such a good point. Facebook Groups are underrated. There are groups like “NDIS Support Worker Jobs Victoria” or “Disability Support Workers Australia”—and people in those groups are actively looking for meaningful work. Plus, you can show a bit of your organisation’s personality in your posts, which really helps you stand out.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And don’t forget, on those platforms, it’s not just about the job—it’s about the mission. If you highlight your values, your culture, and what makes your team unique, you’re way more likely to attract people who actually want to be there for the right reasons.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and just a quick tip—if you’re posting on EthicalJobs or Pro Bono, use keywords like “disability” or “community support” in your job title. It makes your ad way more searchable, and you’ll get in front of the right eyes.

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, so we’ve covered the niche platforms, but there’s another angle that’s just as important—local networks and those early-career pipelines. TAFE and training provider job boards are gold for finding people who are just starting out, especially Cert III or IV students in Disability or Community Support. They’re keen, they’re learning, and they’re looking for real-world experience.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Absolutely. And local council employment hubs—those are a bit of a hidden gem. Councils often have job boards or employment services that are all about supporting local people into local jobs. If you need someone who really understands your community, that’s where you’ll find them.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and I’ve got a quick story on that. There was this provider in regional NSW who needed to build a team fast for a new program. They used CareCareers.com.au, which is run by National Disability Services, and within a couple of weeks, they had a diverse, skilled team ready to go. The advanced search filters let them find people with the right qualifications and who were actually available in their area. It was a total game-changer.

Winter, EnableUs Community

That’s such a good example. And it really shows that sometimes, the best candidates aren’t on the big boards—they’re in your local TAFE, your council’s job hub, or even just waiting for the right post in a Facebook Group. It’s about meeting people where they are, not just where it’s convenient for us as recruiters.

Will, EnableUs Community

Exactly. And, you know, as we’ve said in past episodes, building a great team isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about finding people who care, who get your mission, and who want to grow with you. So, if you’re struggling to find the right staff, maybe it’s time to try a new platform—or even just a new approach.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Couldn’t agree more. That’s all for today, but we’ll be back soon with more tips on building strong, values-driven teams in the NDIS space. Thanks for tuning in, Will!

Will, EnableUs Community

Thanks, Winter! And thanks to everyone listening—don’t forget to check out our previous episodes if you missed them. Catch you next time!