Bachelor of
Disability and Community Inclusion

Developmental educators are disability specialists and allied health professionals who are guided by a human rights approach to working with and alongside people with a disability across all ages to achieve their goals and promote an inclusive society. Developmental educators adopt a holistic and strengths-based approach to support skill development, self-advocacy, self-determination and supported decision-making. 

A behaviour support practitioner assesses the influences on a person’s behaviour, and design interventions to support a good life for the person and reduce challenging behaviour. 

Practitioners are engaged across disability and community services, home environments and school settings. They collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to support people in achieving positive change.

The BDCI is a three-year program which qualifies you to work as a skilled disability practitioner, for example as an NDIS support coordinator, case manager, program coordinator, supervisor or team leader. 

Graduates of the four-year BBDE degree are eligible for accreditation as Developmental Educators – allied health professionals skilled in providing therapeutic support, conducting ethical assessment and leading practice in community teams. 

The BDCI forms the first three years of the BBDE degree so graduates can return and complete the final year of the BBDE to be eligible to practice as a Developmental Educator. 

Positive Behaviour Support is a specialist area of service delivery; to meet specialist qualifications, practitioners need PBS specific qualifications to effectively apply theory to practice. This course consists of theoretical topics, with a practical focus on report writing and plan development. The course provides regular opportunities for interactive dialogue with PBS specialists working in the field, with workshops and activities to guide learning. Currently, this is also the only post-graduate qualification that consists of a PBS practicum and mentoring program, guiding both students in applying theory to practice and interdisciplinary teams in this process. 

Yes! With the advent of the NDIS, jobs in this sector are growing rapidly. There are employment opportunities working as a skilled disability practitioner, working as a case manager, an NDIS support coordinator, supervisor or team leader. 

For those who graduate as a Developmental Educator, there are opportunities to also provide therapeutic support, ethical assessments and leading practice in community teams. Developmental Educators are highly sought-after industry professionals in the disability sector. 

Graduates of the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education can apply for accreditation with Developmental Educators Australia Inc (DEAI). 

Developmental Educators are recognised as PBS practitioners; you do not need to do the Graduate Certificate in PBS to work in this space given Developmental Educators have completed a four-year qualification with PBS specific curricular. 

Yes, this program is available online and we have many students from interstate.

Yes, this program is available to study part-time. 

Yes, there is a mid-year entry for all Disability courses except for the Graduate Certificate in Positive Behaviour Support (GCPBS).

You may be eligible for 1 x 4.5-unit practicum credit if you have been in a suitable role for a minimum of 12 months full-time or equivalent.

Students with a Certificate IV or higher are eligible for credit towards the undergrad disability courses.

No, you are required to complete the practicum within the course rule.

• Applications are completed via SATAC
• Visit: satac.edu.au