Disability support provider, Hireup, has announced The Good Life Awards, that recognises and rewards the role of disability support workers. The awards will showcase authentic stories of support workers who make a difference to the lives of people they support.

One of the goals of the awards is to shine a light on the rich and meaningful career pathways offered by the disability sector, at a time when labour shortages are posing challenges for many people with disability to be able to find the right supports for them.

Hireup co-CEO Laura O’Reilly said high quality support workers contribute to the quality of life of people with disability. “We know there’s a shortfall of 120,000 support workers in the disability sector, and need to start promoting disability support as a viable career option, as well as dispel some of the myths and misconceptions around disability support work,” she said.

This includes the stereotypes around ‘typical’ disability support, such as that the work is only suitable for nurses or clinical health professionals, because that is not the case, O’Reilly said. “We want to attract the best and brightest support workers across Australia to join the sector and join Hireup. We are proud of our diverse workforce, as well as the career and development opportunities we offer, and the Good Life Awards is one way we can showcase this positive career path,” she said.

Each of the award winners will receive a $1,000 prize; $500 will be awarded to the 16 shortlisted candidates and $200 to clients who nominate the winners.

Nominations close on September 1 and winners will be announced at a virtual Good Life Awards event on October 27.

For more information, eligibility criteria and how to apply go to: Hireup,