Become a Member of DEA
Joining Developmental Educators Australia Ltd. (DEA) opens up a world of opportunities for growth and impact in the field of Developmental Education. As a member, you become part of a supportive community committed to fostering inclusion and advancing the profession.
Membership Benefits
Membership with DEA provides access to valuable resources, professional development, and networking opportunities that support your career growth. You’ll connect with other passionate professionals who share your dedication to making a difference, all while working within a framework of high ethical and professional standards.
By becoming a part of DEA, you align yourself with an organisation that is at the forefront of promoting effective practices and innovative solutions in developmental education. This is not just a membership; it’s a commitment to a rewarding career and a chance to be part of a dynamic community focused on empowerment and excellence.
Showcase Your Professional Registration
Full DEA membership enables you to prominently display your professional registration, meeting the compliance requirements that Registered Providers need to demonstrate and is best practice for all Developmental Educators.
Exclusive Membership Badge
Enhance your professional presence with a DEA member badge for your email signatures and business cards, showcasing your commitment to excellence and your alignment with industry standards.
Discounted Tickets to DEA Events
Access significant discounts on tickets for professional development events coordinated by DEA, allowing you to learn from industry leaders, network with peers, and stay ahead of emerging trends without breaking the bank.
Feature in the “Find a DE” Directory
Be featured in our “Find a DE” section on the DEA website, where potential clients and collaborators can find and connect with you directly, driving new leads and expanding your professional network.
Access to Member-Only Resources
Get exclusive access to a wealth of resources including best practice guides, templates and industry updates designed to support your professional growth and daily practice.
Advocacy and Representation
Have your voice heard through DEA’s advocacy efforts on key issues affecting developmental educators and the broader disability sector. As a full member, you’ll be part of a collective that drives positive change.
Opportunities for Professional Recognition
Apply for awards and recognition programs that celebrate your achievements and contributions to the field, further enhancing your professional profile in our bi-annual award ceremonies.
DEA Newsletter
Stay informed and connected with the latest news, updates, and opportunities through the DEA newsletter, delivered directly to your inbox.
Nomination Rights for DEA Board
Annually, full and student members can nominate themselves or others for the DEA committee, influencing the leadership and direction of the association.
Opportunity to represent DEA at Events
Gain the opportunity to represent DEA at events such as Flinders University events, expanding your professional influence and connection with future practitioners.
Right to Apply as a DEA Affiliated Supervisor
Full members have the exclusive right to apply to become a DEA Affiliated Supervisor through a dedicated application process (additional cost applies). This prestigious role allows you to mentor and supervise other allied health professionals, enhancing your leadership skills and professional impact.
Tax-Deductible Membership
DEA membership fees are tax-deductible, offering a financial benefit that adds to the value of your membership.
Explore Your Membership Options with DEA
Membership with Developmental Educators Australia Ltd. (DEA) offers a range of options to suit different needs and levels of engagement. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to deepen your involvement in the field of developmental education, DEA provides choices that cater to various professional stages and interests.
By exploring these membership options, you can find a path that aligns with your personal and professional goals. Each level offers unique benefits, from access to professional development resources and networking opportunities to participating in a community dedicated to advancing the human rights of people with disability. DEA’s membership options are designed to support your growth, connect you with peers, and enhance your impact.
Practising Member
$262.50 + Stripe Fees
Practising Membership is conferred upon a person who has:
- submitted evidence of successfully completing a full course of education recognised by the Board; and
- has met the relevant practice and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
- This is a voting class of membership.
Provisional Member
$262.50 + Stripe Fees
Provisional Membership is conferred upon a person who has:
- submitted evidence of successfully completing a full course of education recognised by the Board; but
- has not met the relevant practice or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
- This is a voting class of membership.
Student Member
$50 + Stripe Fees
A Student Member is a person who is attending a course of education recognised by the Board to enable him or her to qualify as a practising developmental educator.
This is a non-voting class of membership.
Associate Member
$84 + Stripe Fees
An Associate Member is a person or organisation who has an interest in developmental education, and whose aims and activities are not inconsistent with the vision and mission of Developmental Educators Australia Ltd.
This is a non-voting class of membership.
Accredited Degrees
DEA is the self-regulated professional body for Developmental Educators, and responsible for the professional accreditation of Developmental Education degrees across Australia. Eligibility for Practicing and Provisional Membership is open to graduates who have completed an accredited degree in Developmental Education.
Graduates who completed more than 10years ago must apply for Practicing through the Individual Assessment process
Please note, graduates who completed more than 10years ago must apply for Practicing Membership through the Individual Assessment process
Graduates who completed more than 10years ago must apply for Practicing Membership through the Individual Assessment process.
Please note: If you ONLY have a teaching qualification with experience in Education, you DO NOT meet the criteria to be a Developmental Educator
Individual Accreditation Eligibility
Individual Accreditation is available for applicants who have graduated from an approved non-accredited degree in disability studies or a related sociological field, and are seeking Provisional or Practicing Membership.
Applicants who have graduated with the following degrees are required to submit a DEA Individual Accreditation Application in order to be considered for Practicing Membership.
Applicants who have graduated with the following discontinued degrees are required to submit a DEA Individual Accreditation Application in order to be considered for Practicing Membership.
Graduates with the following degrees are required to submit a DEA Individual Course Accreditation Application in order to be considered for full membership. DEA is in the process of exploring eligibility for automatic membership with relevant university departments.
Applicants who have graduated with the following discontinued degrees are required to submit a DEA Individual Accreditation Application in order to be considered for Practicing Membership.
Please note: If you ONLY have a teaching qualification with experience in Education, you DO NOT meet the criteria to be a Developmental Educator
Frequently Asked Questions
Developmental Educator Australia Ltd. (DEA) is a professional association dedicated to advancing the field of Developmental Educators. We represent a diverse community of professionals committed to empowering people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives.
DEA warmly welcomes professionals who meet the following criteria to join our community:
- Degree-level trained Developmental Educators
- Disability professionals with comparable qualifications from across Australia
Whether you’re an experienced professional or new to the field, DEA offers a supportive community for all dedicated to empowering people with disabilities.
Joining DEA offers a range of benefits, including:
- Access to professional development opportunities, workshops, and networking events.
- Resources and guidelines to support your practice, including the Code of Ethics and Practice.
- Opportunities to contribute to advocacy efforts and positive change in the disability sector.
- Recognition as part of a respected professional association.
Applying for membership is simple. Visit our website and complete the online membership application form. Be sure to provide the necessary qualifications and information, and our membership team will guide you through the process.
To become a Practicing Member of DEA, you should hold one of the following accredited qualifications:
- Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education (Flinders University)
- Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education) (Flinders University)
- Master of Autism and Neurodivergent Studies University of Wollongong (for intake after 2024).
- or look at our process for applying for individual accreditation.
If you have a qualification not listed in our accredited qualification but believe you meet the criteria for membership, you can submit an Individual Accreditation Application.
Membership fees vary depending on your level of membership. Please refer to our Membership Fees page on the website for detailed information.
DEA hosts regular events, workshops, and networking opportunities throughout the year. These events cover a wide range of topics related to developmental education, disability studies, and best practices in the field.
Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media. Our newsletter provides updates on upcoming events, industry news, and member highlights.
If you have additional questions or need further information, please reach out to us via our contact form. Our team is here to assist you with any inquiries you may have.
We recognise that people are passionate about working with people with disability and acknowledge the important work people do in the field. However, work experience is only considered in conjunction with relevant formal education.
Special Education involves curriculum and strategy design, teaching, and instruction, and other supports of children and young people with disability and other ‘special needs’ across a range of settings. Developmental educators work with people with disability across the lifespan (including acquired and degenerative conditions) in multiple domains and settings and whilst there is a focus on instructional and behavioural technologies, developmental educators have formal education in meeting the needs of people with disability related to health and mental health conditions, employment, housing and accommodation, sexuality and relationships and ageing. Developmental educators have formal skills in case management and support coordination, counselling and advocacy. In Australia, developmental educators are guided by a human rights-based and holistic biopsychosocial approach to practice. Developmental educators have knowledge of and utilise the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2007), and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO, 2001).
A degree in Special Education does not meet the core competencies for developmental educators.
Developmental educators work with people with disability across the lifespan (including acquired and degenerative conditions) in multiple domains and settings and whilst there is a focus on instructional and behavioural technologies, developmental educators have formal education in meeting the needs of people with disability related to health and mental health conditions, employment, housing and accommodation, sexuality and relationships and ageing. Developmental educators have formal skills in case management and support coordination, counselling and advocacy. In Australia, developmental educators are guided by a human rights-based and holistic biopsychosocial approach to practice. Developmental educators have knowledge of and utilise the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2007), and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (WHO, 2001).
A degree in teaching or education does not meet the core competencies for developmental educators.
Developmental Education differentiates itself from other disciplines by employing a critical approach to knowledge acquisition and production in the field of disability. Developmental educators are philosophically based within the discipline of disability studies. Formal education in disability studies centres on the rights of people with disability, utilizing the human rights and social models of disability and critical perspectives on intersectional disadvantage. Disability studies is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the lived experiences of people with disability, drawing on historical perspectives regarding systems and structures of oppression, and the responding rights and liberation movements. Disability studies employs people with disability and invokes lived experience in educating practitioners. The philosophical frameworks employed by developmental educators prioritise the rights of people with disability in professional practice. Tertiary programs in behavioural science and psychology are not generally underpinned by critical disability theory.
A degree in behavioural science or psychology does not meet the core competencies for developmental educators.
Universities are responsible for applying to accredit their degree programs with DEA. There are some degree programs that are not yet accredited which meet the core competencies of developmental education and graduates have been determined eligible to apply for individual accreditation. It is important to liaise with the program director or course coordinator of your intended degree to align your studies to the core competencies of developmental educators.
If your tertiary program does not include an assessed component of work integrated practice (professional placement, in service learning, practical assessments), you will need to demonstrate 3 years of employment or a mix of employment and volunteering in a position working directly with people with disability preferably across a range of ages and in a range of settings.
As is the case with all regulated and self-regulated allied health professions e.g. speech pathology, occupational therapy, social work, the professional body sets the standards for accreditation and determines the qualifications that meet those standards. There are currently two fully accredited degree programs delivered by Flinders University and one delivered by University of Wollongong (UOW). There are other degree programs delivered by various institutions that lead to the individual accreditation pathway.