Riverland men casting aside tools and tractors to work in disability

In short:

A growing number of men in the Riverland are opting to enter disability support over farm work and trades.

National data indicates there has been a gradual increase in men in disability roles over the past decade.

What's next?

Clients say they appreciate the more balanced spread of men in the profession.

When Brody Thompson finished school and began thinking about his future, a career in the disability caring field was never something he had considered.

But after a few years working on his family farm, the then-24-year-old decided he needed a change of pace.

"[I was] just really stuck in a rut. Eight hours a day sitting in the tractor; it's the same view all day, not a lot changes," Mr Thompson said.

"I just needed a little bit of variety in my life."

When a friend from his local football club, in South Australia's Riverland, suggested he consider applying for a job in disability support, Mr Thompson decided he had nothing to lose.

He is now among more than a dozen men making up half the workforce of a local NDIS provider that mentors and supports children and young adults across the community and wider Riverland area.

He is also part of a changing workforce with more men taking up the career.

Mr Thompson said while the shift from the farm to disability support work had been dramatic, he had not looked back.

"I'd say there definitely was a stigma [around working in disability] for me," he said.

"[I thought] you're in-house just caring all the time, you're getting people up out of bed, toileting and showering them. I do a bit of that [but] there's so much more to it.

"Once you're all in, you realise how much need there is and how much you can help. There's nothing more rewarding than helping."

Max Hall is a part-time client of Mr Thompson's, who also shares his time with fellow carer, Harry Papageorgios.

Mr Hall said he appreciated the opportunity to engage with male role models with similar interests, including AFL.

"Harry, he's a good man. Brody, I know he goes for Hawthorn, [which is] 'hawful' actually," the 20-year-old Adelaide Crows supporter said with a grin.

"[But] it has made me happy a lot."

The job that 'changed my life'

Loxton-based disability worker Haiden Button said there was still a negative stigma related to support work, but it had slowly decreased in recent years.

The 32-year-old had spent more than a decade working as a crash repairer after completing his apprenticeship while still a teenager.

Six years ago, after Mr Button recognised the toll the work was taking on his health, he left the trade that he felt defined his identity.

He said a shift to disability support work had given him a renewed sense of purpose.

"Without making it sound too dramatic, changing to disability support work has changed my life for the better,"Mr Button said.

"I didn't quite realise how maybe unhealthy my mental health was, and also just my wellbeing, until starting something where I was happy to come to work every day.

"There's been challenging days for sure, but none where I wouldn't want to be here."

Rising trend at a national level

National data suggests that across the past 10 years, more men are choosing to work in disability support.

The National Disability Services' (NDS) 2024-25 workforce census survey was completed by more than 60,000 disability support workers.

The data showed the caring sector was still dominated by women, with 61 per cent of participants female.

However, NDS director of policy and advocacy Karen Stace said men in the workforce had risen from 29 per cent in 2015 to 33 per cent in 2025.

"It's positive to see more men choosing disability support as a career,"Ms Stace said.

"The bigger opportunity is ensuring the sector is able to invest in attracting and retaining a diverse, skilled workforce so people with disability can access high-quality support wherever they live."

The rise in men in the disability support industry came at the same time as National Centre for Vocational Education Research data revealed there had been a decline in Australians finishing apprenticeships and traineeships.

A fulfilling and active career

For Mr Thompson and Mr Button, ditching the tools and the tractor had not only given them a rewarding career, but it had also given them an active and fun outlet.

Mr Thompson said his sessions with clients revolved around physical activity like sport and gym sessions, while Mr Button said his involved a lot of ground maintenance work.

"Hundred per cent [I enjoy my job] for the clients, the interactions and helping our supported staff to enjoy their roles and have a sense that they're contributing to the community," Mr Button said.

"As well as that, I still get to go out and work with my hands.

"We do a lot of grounds maintenance and all sorts of other jobs outside, as well as all our workshop jobs."