The Best Hidden Free Training Gems

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, welcome back to The EnableUs Community Podcast! Will here, and as always, I’m joined by Winter. Today, we’re digging into something I reckon every NDIS provider and worker needs to know—those hidden free training gems that actually make a difference, especially heading into 2025.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Hey folks! I’m really excited for this one. We get so many questions about where to find quality training that doesn’t break the bank, and honestly, there’s a lot out there if you know where to look. And it’s not just about ticking compliance boxes, right? It’s about building real confidence and skills in your team.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, exactly. And look, let’s start with the essentials. The NDIS Worker Orientation Module—if you’re new, you’ve probably heard us bang on about this before. It covers the Code of Conduct, duty of care, participant rights. It’s mandatory for all new staff, and honestly, it’s a solid foundation. And then there’s the Induction eLearning for Providers, which has just been updated for 2025. That one’s more for admin, team leaders, compliance folks—goes into provider obligations, incident reporting, complaints handling. Both are free, and both are, like, non-negotiable if you want to stay compliant.

Winter, EnableUs Community

And the best part is, these aren’t just dry, tick-the-box modules. They’re actually designed to be practical. I mean, we’ve talked in previous episodes about how ongoing, role-specific training is key for building a learning culture—like in our last episode. Free training like this is a huge part of that, especially when budgets are tight.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and I’ll just jump in with a quick story. My first week as a support worker, I was honestly a bit overwhelmed. I thought, “How am I gonna keep up with all this compliance stuff?” But then my supervisor pointed me to the free NDIS modules. I did the Worker Orientation one over a couple of nights, and it just—well, it gave me a bit of confidence, you know? Suddenly, I wasn’t just winging it. I actually understood what was expected of me, and it didn’t cost me or the org a cent.

Winter, EnableUs Community

That’s such a common experience. And it’s not just for newbies, either. Even senior staff can use these to refresh their knowledge, especially when things get updated. Plus, a lot of these free courses come with certificates, so you can track completions and keep your training register up to date for audits. No need for fancy systems.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and I think that’s the big takeaway—free doesn’t mean low quality. These are designed by the NDIS, by government bodies, by unis. They’re legit, and they’re a great way to keep your team sharp without the financial stress.

Winter, EnableUs Community

So, let’s get into some of the more specialised stuff. There are some real hidden gems out there for support workers. Like, have you seen the UNSW Supporting People with Disability course on OpenLearning? It’s self-paced, rights-focused, and you get a certificate at the end. It’s perfect for new workers or anyone moving over from aged care.

Will, EnableUs Community

Yeah, that one’s brilliant. And Carers Australia has these online modules on boundaries, self-care, behaviour management—stuff that’s so practical but often gets overlooked. I mean, we talk a lot about compliance, but actually empowering support workers with these skills makes a massive difference day-to-day.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Absolutely. And don’t forget the Positive Behaviour Support mini-courses. They’re state-specific, so you might find them through the QLD Positive Behaviour Learning Hub or SA DHS Training. They cover communication, restrictive practices, person-centred support—all the things that help workers deliver really personalised care.

Will, EnableUs Community

And it’s not just frontline staff who need upskilling. Admin and compliance teams have their own set of free resources. The OAIC Privacy Training is a must for anyone handling sensitive records. It’s got quizzes, downloadable certificates—the works. Then there’s Safe Work Australia’s WHS induction stuff, which uses real-world scenarios, and the ACNC Governance eLearning for leaders or anyone in a dual NDIS-charity role.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and what I love is that a lot of these are bite-sized. You don’t have to block out a whole day. You can do a module over lunch, or in between shifts. That flexibility is huge for engagement and satisfaction. Actually, I had a team member who was really struggling with confidence after a tough incident. She did a trauma-informed webinar—just a short one, free from Blue Knot Foundation—and honestly, it was a turning point for her. She came back with new strategies and just seemed lighter, you know?

Will, EnableUs Community

That’s such a good example. Sometimes it’s those little, flexible learning moments that have the biggest impact. And because they’re free, there’s no barrier to just giving it a go. Plus, you can mix and match—do a privacy module one week, a behaviour support one the next. It keeps things fresh and relevant.

Will, EnableUs Community

Alright, let’s talk about inclusion and cultural competency. This is something we’ve touched on before, but it’s honestly more important than ever. There’s the Share Our Pride course from Reconciliation Australia—short, but really powerful for non-Indigenous staff wanting to build cultural awareness. And then you’ve got multicultural inclusion webinars from places like the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. Some are free, some are donation-based, but they’re all about intersectionality, gender equality, and working with CALD communities.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and mental health and trauma-aware training is another big one. Blue Knot Foundation’s webinars are fantastic for trauma-responsive care. RUOK? has scenario-based training so your team knows how to offer peer support, which is so important in high-pressure situations. And there’s that Health Direct Accessible Communication Guide—not a course, but honestly, it’s packed with tips for connecting with people with disability. Sometimes it’s those little resources that make the biggest difference in practice.

Will, EnableUs Community

And look, all this training is great, but if you’re not tracking it, you’re missing a trick. You don’t need a fancy LMS—just set up a Google Sheet or a Trello board. Capture the date, staff name, course title, certificate link. Keep it in your staff files, and you’re sorted for audits. I’ve seen some orgs do this so well, and it just makes everything smoother when it comes time to show your upskilling efforts.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Yeah, and it’s not just about compliance. When you track training, you can actually see where your team’s strengths are, and where there might be gaps. It helps with planning, with onboarding, and with making sure everyone’s getting the support they need. And honestly, it shows your staff that you value their growth, which goes a long way for morale.

Will, EnableUs Community

Couldn’t agree more. So, whether it’s cultural competency, trauma awareness, or just keeping your records tidy, these free resources and simple tracking tools are absolute game-changers. And that’s probably a good place to wrap up for today. We’ll be back soon with more ways to build confident, capable teams—so keep listening, keep learning, and we’ll catch you next time.

Winter, EnableUs Community

Thanks for joining us, everyone! Will, always a pleasure. See you all in the next episode—bye for now!