Online Dysphagia & IDDSI Training for Care Teams

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This online training is designed to support understanding of dysphagia and safe swallowing in aged care and disability settings. It introduces key principles of swallowing safety and demonstrates how the IDDSI framework is used in everyday practice to support people with swallowing difficulties.

Swallowing difficulties are common across aged care and disability services and can increase the risk of choking, aspiration, and poor nutrition if not well understood or well managed. Consistent knowledge across the care team helps support safer mealtimes and clearer communication between staff, kitchens, and healthcare professionals.

This online course is suitable for support workers, carers, nurses, aged care and disability staff, chefs, food service staff, and service managers. No clinical background is required, and the content is presented in plain language relevant to everyday mealtime support.

This online course is currently in development. If you would like to be notified when enrolments open, you can join the early access list to receive course updates and release information when available.

About the Trainer

This training is developed and delivered by Vanessa Chan, a speech pathologist with experience supporting people with swallowing difficulties in aged care, disability services, and community settings.

Vanessa is the chair of the Australian IDDSI Reference Group, which supports the implementation of the IDDSI framework across Australia.

Through Swallowing & Dysphagia Support, she provides education and training to aged care providers, disability services, and healthcare teams to improve mealtime safety and reduce choking risks.

This online dysphagia and IDDSI training course is designed to help care teams understand swallowing risks and apply the IDDSI framework confidently in everyday practice.

FAQs

Is dysphagia training mandatory in aged care or disability settings?

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Dysphagia training is not prescribed as a single mandatory course, however aged care and disability providers are expected to ensure mealtime safety for people at risk of swallowing difficulties.

Under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Strengthened Quality Standards and guidance from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, providers must take reasonable steps to prevent harm, including risks related to choking.

In practice, this means staff involved in mealtime support should have appropriate training and understanding of dysphagia and safe swallowing practices.

Providers are accountable for how swallowing risks are identified, managed, and monitored, and failures in this area may lead to serious harm and non-compliance findings.

Why is IDDSI training important?

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IDDSI training is important because it provides a clear, standardised approach to food and fluid texture modification, helping to reduce the risk of choking and aspiration for people with swallowing difficulties.

The IDDSI framework is recognised in Australia, and is endorsed by Speech Pathology Australia, with support from Dietitians Australia and the Hospitality in Healthcare.

Using consistent IDDSI terminology helps staff, carers, kitchens, and healthcare teams communicate clearly and deliver safer mealtime support across aged care and disability settings.

What are the risks when IDDSI recommendations are not applied consistently?

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When IDDSI recommendations from a speech pathologist are not applied consistently, the risk of choking, aspiration, chest infections, malnutrition, and dehydration can increase for people with swallowing difficulties.

Speech pathologists use the IDDSI framework to guide swallowing assessments and to document recommended food and fluid levels in reports and care plans.

If these recommendations are not understood or applied consistently during mealtimes, swallowing safety may be compromised.

Is dysphagia always managed with thickened fluids or modified diets?

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Dysphagia management is individualised and may not always involve thickened fluids or texture-modified diets. Some people may swallow safely with strategies such as positioning, pacing, supervision, or environmental adjustments.

In some situations, a person may continue eating and drinking with acknowledged risk (EDAR). It is a person's informed decision to continue eating and drinking their preferred foods and drinks even when health risks are involved. EDAR recognises quality of life, personal choice, and individual circumstances, while putting strategies in place to support safer mealtimes, with clear documentation.

A swallowing assessment by a speech pathologist is essential to determine the most appropriate approach and communicate it to the person and care team.

Who should complete dysphagia and IDDSI training?

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Dysphagia and IDDSI training is relevant for anyone involved in mealtime support, food preparation, or supervision in aged care and disability settings, including:

  • Support workers and carers

  • Nurses

  • Aged care and disability service staff

  • Chefs, catering and food service staff

  • Facility and service managers

Understanding swallowing risks and IDDSI framework helps aged care teams and disability service teams deliver safer, more consistent mealtime care.

Can support workers or carers assist with texture modified food and fluids?

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Yes, support workers and carers can assist with texture modified food and fluids when they are appropriately trained and following the person's care plan and mealtime management plan.

Speech pathologists can provide training to help staff understand dysphagia, IDDSI levels, and safe mealtime practices, supporting consistent and safe provision of food and fluids as recommended. Speech pathologists can provide training to help staff understand dysphagia, IDDSI levels, and safe mealtime practices, supporting consistent and safe provision of food and fluids as recommended.

Is this dysphagia training course suitable for non-clinical staff?

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Yes. This online dysphagia training course is suitable for non-clinical staff, including carers, support workers, catering teams in healthcare.

Content is presented in plain English, with practical examples relevant to aged care and disability settings. No clinical background is required. We try our best to explain dysphagia and IDDSI in a way that is simple to understand.

Does this course provide a certificate of completion?

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Yes. Participants receive a certificate of completion after finishing Swallowing and Dysphagia Support online course.

Is this course free, or are there free IDDSI resources available?

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Swallowing and Dysphagia Support online course is a paid online course designed to support understanding of dysphagia and safe swallowing. There are free IDDSI resources available on the IDDSI website.

How long does the online dysphagia training take to complete?

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The online dysphagia training can be completed in one hour.

Participants can complete the course online at their own pace, making it suitable for busy aged care and disability teams.

Is this Swallowing and Dysphagia Support course available in Perth and regional areas?

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Yes. This course is delivered online, making it accessible to services across Australia, including Perth, regional, and remote areas.

The online format allows staff to complete the training without the need for travel or face-to-face sessions, while still supporting understanding of dysphagia, IDDSI framework, and improve understanding of safe mealtime practices.

Who delivers the dysphagia and IDDSI training course?

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This training course is developed by Vanessa Chan, a speech pathologist and chair of the Australian IDDSI Reference Group. Through Swallowing & Dysphagia Support, she provides dysphagia education and IDDSI training to aged care and disability providers across Australia to support safer mealtimes.