Independent Living Skills: Building Confidence and Freedom for People with Disabilities

A person with short curly hair, wearing a pink shirt and black apron, smiles whilst washing dishes at a kitchen sink—practising valuable skills learnt in the Employability Skills Programme. Plates and cups are stacked in a dish rack on the counter.

Independent Living Skills: Building Confidence and Freedom for People with Disabilities

Learn how Compass helps people with disabilities gain confidence through independent living skills like budgeting, cooking & travel training.

At Compass Inc. we believe that true empowerment comes from the freedom to live life on your own terms. For people with disabilities, this often means building the practical independent living skills that enable greater autonomy and confidence. Our programs are designed to do just that: equipping our trainees with the abilities they need to navigate the world with greater self-reliance and independence.
Our asset-based approach focuses on an individual’s unique strengths and potential and our independent living skills programs are a perfect example of this philosophy in action. Rather than focusing on what a person can’t do, we work with them to develop new skills, celebrate small victories and build a foundation for a more independent future.
Our disability life skills training covers a broad range of areas. It can be as simple as learning to prepare a healthy meal, managing a weekly budget, or using public transport independently. For some, it might be learning how to manage household tasks or navigate the digital world. Each skill learned is a step towards greater self-sufficiency and a feeling of accomplishment.
A key part of our program is our daily living training NDIS, where our trainers provide one-on-one and group-based support to help our trainees master these essential skills. We use a hands-on, practical approach in a supportive and encouraging environment, ensuring that the learning is both effective and enjoyable.
We also offer specific training in areas like budgeting and travel training for NDIS. These are vital skills for navigating daily life and accessing the wider community. By teaching our trainees how to manage their money and use public transport, we are not just providing a service; we are providing them with the tools to live a fuller, more engaged life.
Our ultimate goal is to see every person we support unlock their full potential and live a life of choice, not circumstance. By focusing on independent living skills, we are helping our trainees build the confidence and self-assurance needed to pursue their dreams, whether that is finding employment, joining a community group, or simply enjoying the freedom of a more independent life.

What Does It Mean to Be an NDIS Registered Service Provider in Queensland?

careers and volunteering

What Does It Mean to Be an NDIS Registered Service Provider in Queensland?

Discover what it means to be an NDIS registered service provider in Queensland and how it ensures quality, safety and choice for people with disabilities.

For people with disabilities and their families in Queensland, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) represents a world of possibilities. It’s a framework built to provide choice, control and independence. But navigating this landscape can feel complex and one of the most important aspects is understanding the role of NDIS registered service providers. At Compass Inc., we believe in empowering people with knowledge so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
So, what exactly does it mean to be an NDIS registered service provider in Queensland?
The NDIS is a national scheme that provides funding to eligible people with disabilities to help them access the support and services they need. A core principle is “choice and control,” meaning participants have the freedom to choose their service providers and control where they spend their funding. This is where NDIS registration becomes so vital.
For a provider to become NDIS registered, they must go through a rigorous process of auditing and verification by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This is a thorough check to ensure the provider is reputable, safe and qualified to deliver the services they offer. It’s a process designed to protect people with disabilities and give them peace of mind that they are receiving high-quality support.
Choosing a registered provider like Compass Inc. comes with significant benefits:
Quality Assurance: Registered providers are held to strict standards for service delivery, quality of care and safety. This means you can be confident in the support you receive.
Oversight and Accountability: The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission provides an independent body for complaints and oversight. If an issue arises, you have a formal channel for resolution.
Trust and Reliability: Registration is a stamp of approval that signals a provider’s commitment to delivering safe, ethical and high-quality services.

The Compass Inc. Difference: Beyond Just Registration…

While being an NDIS registered provider is a mark of quality we are proud of, our mission at Compass Inc. goes so much further. Our work is not simply about providing a service; it is about building a community where every individual is celebrated for their unique abilities and potential.
We focus on a holistic approach to support. Our team works alongside trainees and their families, not just as service providers, but as partners in their journey towards independence and fulfilment. We provide a range of programs that focus on life skills, creative arts and vocational training, all delivered with a compassionate and empowering approach. We celebrate every small victory and work tirelessly to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
For us, being an NDIS registered provider means we have the opportunity to serve our community with the highest level of integrity and care. It is a responsibility we take seriously and it is a privilege to be a part of so many inspiring journeys. By choosing a registered provider, you are not just securing a service; you are securing a commitment to quality, safety and a future full of possibility.

Careers and Volunteering

Careers and volutneering

careers and volunteering
Two women are talking and smiling at a kitchen counter, with a Compass menu and food items in the background. One stands behind the till, ready to assist with Disability Services or answer any What If queries customers may have.

Become part of the Compass team

At Compass, we are built on the core belief that all human beings have extraordinary potential. With this as a fundamental principle, we are driven to create a world where EVERYONE can have the opportunity to unlock this potential, to thrive and to create the life of their choice. That includes you!

We believe that meaningful work extends far beyond one’s vocation. When you do something that you truly love and that brings purpose to you and to others, it becomes a passion, a philosophy and a way of life. It is this alignment that we strive to foster and create a space for at Compass. The more empowered we are as individuals, the more we can empower others – and that is ultimately what we are here to do.

A smiling woman with glasses and a ponytail, wearing a black COMPASS polo shirt, stands outdoors in front of three other people in uniforms—highlighting opportunities for careers and volunteering near a building with steps and greenery.

Why join the Compass team?

  • We are a values-based organisation – focusing on choice and control for our Trainees. We go beyond ‘care’ to empowerment and to focusing on unlocking the assets that exist inside each unique individual that we work with. We pride ourselves on well-considered, inclusive and individualised planning, preparation and programming.
  • We provide a peer-supported environment – with team members working together to share knowledge, expertise and skills and to create a community of mutual support, collaboration and best-practice programming for our Trainees, ensuring we provide them with the best possible support for an optimal life.
  • We offer great hours with flexibility – work Monday to Friday, with full-time, part-time and casual roles available. We strive to support you in finding meaning and strong purpose in what you do, so your work and home life are not competing, but are in alignment and harmony.
  • We provide ongoing professional development – including opportunities for career growth and experience across our many campuses and enterprises. We advertise all our roles internally to give everyone the opportunity for progression. If leadership is something that inspires you, we have succession planning programs available to prepare you for a leadership role, along with development programs for the youth of our teams and ongoing E-Learning modules available for self-paced learning.
  • We offer competitive remuneration and salary packaging – opportunities exist to salary sacrifice or package up to $15,900 per year, which lowers your taxable income and increases your take-home pay, giving you more money in your pocket to spend on the things you want.
  • We value Health and Wellbeing – we support our team members with Health and Wellbeing programs, information and resources, including recognition and reward for healthy initiatives that promote team members to look after themselves and one another. We also provide access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Program.
A young woman smiles whilst making crafts with beads at a table, wearing a hairband with colourful hair clips. An older woman from Disability Services stands beside her, helping with the activity. Other supplies and a large bead container are visible.

How do I join the Compass team?

At Compass, we value diversity and harness it to help build variety into our program offerings. This means that we look beyond traditional disability qualifications and experience and often seek candidates with trade or vocational backgrounds, who are looking for a change of career or people with a training and assessment background.

All open opportunities for roles at Compass are advertised through SEEK.

Required certifications

Before you apply for any roles, we recommend reading through the below simple steps that you’ll need to go through. You will need to have or be willing to obtain the following licenses and certifications:

  • A disability worker screening clearance card (yellow card) and a working with children check (blue card). This can all be applied for in the same application by following this link: Worker Screening Portal
  • Worker Orientation Module ‘Quality, Safety and You’ Certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: Worker Orientation Module
  • Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate
  • For a role working with our Trainees, you will also need to have a Current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID002 & HLTAID 003) and Current CPR Certificate (HLTAID001) and a Current Driver’s license and comprehensive car insurance. This may not be necessary for administrative roles.

Not seeing any roles at Compass on SEEK that fit what you’re looking for?
We’re always open to receiving Expressions of Interest, which you can submit via [email protected]. Please note that we often get high volumes of enquiries, so we apologise in advance if we’re a little slow to respond at times!

Work placements with Compass

At Compass, we offer work placement opportunities for students studying Certification in Individual Support or similar courses. Students are offered the opportunity to work across multiple campuses to gain a broad understanding of working in the sector.

It is an excellent way to see if the industry is right for you and to gain hands-on experience and an understanding of best practice. It’s also a great way to finish your studies and could lead to further paid employment opportunities at Compass.
In considering a Work Placement opportunity, there are a few simple steps to go through. You will need to have or be willing to obtain the following licenses and certifications: –

  • A disability worker screening clearance card (yellow card) and a working with children check (blue card). This can all be applied for in the same application by following this link: – Worker Screening Portal. You can choose to get a volunteer version, however, you’ll need a paid version to work in the industry, so to be work ready, we suggest the paid version, as it can take time to be approved.
  • Worker Orientation Module ‘Quality, Safety and You’ certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: – Worker Orientation Module
  • Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: – Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate

To express an interest in doing your work placement with Compass, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Volunteer at Compass

A woman with long hair sits at a desk with an open book, resting her chin on her hand and smiling. Colourful artwork and letters, including the word "Compass," are displayed on the wall behind her.

What volunteering opportunities exist at Compass?

Compass has a variety of opportunities for volunteers, so what you can contribute depends largely on what your interests are and what skills and knowledge you’d like to share. If you have interests in customer service, food service and cookery, horticulture or gardening, retail, animal welfare or puppy raising, construction and trades, arts and crafts or even administration, then we would love to hear from you!

What do I need to volunteer?

To volunteer with our team, there are a few simple steps to go through. You will need to have or be willing to obtain the following licenses and certifications: –

  • A free volunteer disability worker screening clearance card (yellow card) and a working with children check (blue card). This can all be applied for in the same application by following this link: Worker Screening Portal.
  • Worker Orientation Module ‘Quality, Safety and You’ certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: Worker Orientation Module
  • Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate, which you can obtain online for free, following this link: Covid-19 Infection Control Certificate

To express an interest in volunteering with us, please send an enquiry filling out our short form.

We do have significant enquiries and will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible to your enquiry. We look forward to meeting you soon!

    What if…

    you could be the difference?

    Support Compass

    Support Compass

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    Three people smile and hold crafted wooden boards in a colourful art studio with purple walls, paintings, and the words WABI SABI displayed in the background, embodying a "What If" spirit of creativity and inclusion.

    Support Compass and become a part of our community

    The continued success of our programs, social enterprises and ongoing services are in many ways made possible thanks to the generous and ongoing support of our community and partners. We work to ensure that our relationships with those that support us – individual donors, corporate partners, sponsors and in-kind supporters – are built on a foundation of mutual success for the long-term. This means that we are equally as invested and interested in how we can support you through your involvement as we are in supporting our own continued success.

    With ongoing projects being developed, a constantly growing footprint and new social enterprises being conceived, we have a variety of opportunities for you, your family, community group, sporting team, or business to provide support.

    A young woman smiles whilst making crafts with beads at a table, wearing a hairband with colourful hair clips. An older woman from Disability Services stands beside her, helping with the activity. Other supplies and a large bead container are visible.
    events

    Sponsor an event

    Events are a great way to raise awareness, raise money for specific projects and raise the roof – while we all have a great time!

    With a commitment to creating “The Compass Experience” at every event we host, we focus on fun first and fundraising second. We believe that if people have a great time and get to feel what Compass is about, the funds will follow the fun!

    Sponsoring a Compass Event is an opportunity for your business to connect with an engaged and targeted audience, be involved in creating a memorable brand moment for your audience and raise awareness of your products and services.

    We have several opportunities for sponsors through annual Compass events – and are also very open to any ideas for your own event, either through co-hosting or if you want to run your own and support Compass in the process. Either way, we would love to be involved and create something memorable together!

    Get in touch to find out more about event sponsorship opportunities.

    Trainee Chris

    Make a donation

    Every dollar makes a difference. Your support, no matter the amount, helps Compass continue to serve the community. Since we don’t receive government funding, your tax-deductible donation is essential to our mission. Thank you for your generosity.

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    Join our bequests program

    Want to create a lasting legacy? By including a gift in your Will, you can support people with disabilities for generations to come. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help The Compass Institute continue to provide life-changing opportunities and services. Contact us to learn more about our Bequest Program. Thank you for considering Compass.

    What if…

    you could be the difference?

    David Dangerfield

    A middle-aged man with short light brown hair, a trimmed goatee, and a blue patterned button-up shirt, smiling softly against a plain light grey background.

    David Dangerfield

    David Dangerfield is the founder and CEO of the Compass Institute. His background includes many years’ experience in the fields of business, the not for profit sector and disabilities.

    He studied and worked overseas in the disability sector during the eighties and nurtured the vision of establishing a leading edge service for young people with disabilities in Australia – a dream he realised through Compass in 2003.

    In 2014 David was awarded Sunshine Coast Australia Day Citizen of the Year and his work in disabilities and the community has also been recognised with a number of other honours.