Becoming a support worker

Key takeaways Aged care support workers provide essential physical and emotional assistance to help improve the wellbeing of older Australians. Demand for these roles is projected to grow significantly, with nearly 75,000 new positions expected in the industry by late 2026. Standard employee pay rates and allowances in the sector are generally guided by the national Aged Care Award Pay Guide. Independent support workers on the Mable platform have the freedom to set their own hourly rates rather than following award structures. To register as a worker, you must provide an ABN, professional references, and a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check. Australia’s aged care system offers a range of options to meet the different care needs of each individual, and aged care workers are at the frontline providing the support and services to help meet these needs. Is aged care a good job? According to the 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census Report , there were just over 434,000 workers involved in the se

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) , provides funding, information, connections and support to people with disability who meet the NDIS eligibility criteria , so they can live their life to the fullest. The funding received by eligible NDIS participants helps them to purchase a range of NDIS supports and services based on their individual support needs. This can include booking an NDIS support worker, to assist the participant to live independently and achieve their goals. Learn more about how to become a disability support worker . If employed by an agency, a disability support worker supporting an NDIS-funded client may be covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2020 (also referred to as the ‘ SCHADS Award ’). The SCHADS Award includes NDIS support worker pay rates , and covers how support workers are generally paid in the social and community services sector, unless they work under a different award (for example, support

Key takeaways Meet and greets offer a chance to demonstrate reliability, patience, and a clear understanding of professional boundaries to potential clients. Successful meet and greets focus on sharing personal stories that prove your problem-solving skills and resilience during unpredictable or challenging situations. Bringing physical copies of your qualifications and experience to the meeting can help to verify your skills and build immediate trust. Effective needs assessment involves listening to the client and their family rather than assuming you already know the best approach. After a successful meet and greet, you must formalise your agreement on the platform to ensure both parties have a shared understanding of the job details. While many people feel a bit nervous about interviewing for a job, it’s worth thinking of it as an opportunity to ‘sell’ just how right you are for the role. Take your chance to make a great impression. Read on for support worker interview tips and ques

Support workers and carers play an important role in helping people with aged care support needs or disability support needs. Together, they help to reduce emotional and physical strain on the person and improve their overall health and wellbeing. The roles of a support worker and carer, however, differ in some key ways. Carers, their role and responsibilities Carers Australia defines a ‘carer’ as a person who provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail aged. An unpaid carer might be a partner, family member, friend or neighbour and the arrangement may be temporary or permanent. A carer’s role differs greatly depending on the person’s needs. They are usually responsible for the management of medications, and also provide emotional and social support. Caring may also involve help with organising and attending appointments, banking and dealing wi

Key takeaways A complete profile with a concise bio, photo, and specific hobbies and interests helps attract clients who share similar interests. Independent support workers can search and filter job posts on the platform by location, availability, and the specific type of support offered. Print-ready business cards and flyers are available for download through your account to assist with local marketing and networking. Networking with other support workers via social media groups allows you to find "buddy" opportunities or receive client referrals. Accepting Mable Last Minute shifts for jobs starting within 4 to 48 hours is an effective way to secure new ongoing clients. When you register as an independent support worker on Mable, you have access to all the benefits and safeguards you need to start providing support. The first step to doing that is, of course, to start connecting with clients. Start off by creating a great profile on the platform for yourself; it is the best way

Being a support worker can be a highly rewarding, yet demanding career. Every day you're making a profound impact and positive difference to someone's life. The skills of a support worker are crucial for the person under your care. Effective communication, superior interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and a high level of compassion and empathy are all good skills to have as a support worker. These qualities of a support worker will strengthen your connection with clients, so you can build strong, long-term relationships and earn their trust. If you are attentive to their needs and understand what they want, they will feel seen and heard. Sometimes, it's the little things that can go a long way to foster a good relationship - the subtle skills of a support worker, like making eye contact and using positive body language, to signify you're acknowledging them. People regularly change jobs and careers. Have you ever thought about what transferable skills you bring as a support w

Key takeaways You can start working on the Mable platform as an independent support worker without any prior professional experience or formal qualifications. Entry-level workers without experience are permitted to provide social support and domestic assistance, including meal preparation, gardening, and companionship. Hands-on experience can be gained through volunteering at aged care services, participating in community events, or contacting local disability organisations. While not required for domestic and social support, specific qualifications are mandatory if you intend to provide nursing, allied health, or personal care services. All independent workers must have an ABN and a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check, plus a Working with Children Check (WWCC) if supporting children. Support workers play a key role in ensuring people receive the assistance they need over their lifetime and their work can make a significant difference to the quality of someone’s life. If you want to beco

Key takeaways Support workers assist clients with daily tasks like meal preparation, household chores, medication administration, and accessing community facilities. While social and domestic support don't require formal qualifications, specialised services such as nursing or physiotherapy require specific professional credentials. Success in the role relies on core soft skills, including strong communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and effective time management. Independent support workers have a legal duty of care to ensure their activities do not expose clients to unreasonable physical, psychological, or financial risk. To register on the Mable platform, you must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check. A support worker is a professional who is responsible for the wellbeing of people living with different physical abilities and mental health needs. Your role is to support clients to live their lives more independently, and to

As a support worker on Mable, you have the freedom to choose your hours, choose where you work and choose what services you offer. The services you offer have an impact on the qualifications you will need. Some require no qualifications, while others require accredited training. In this guide we will explore the support worker qualifications needed to offer certain services, and what’s required for all people who provide support on the Mable platform. Understanding the role of a support worker The role of a support worker differs from client to client, depending on their needs. Support worker duties can range from meal preparation and household chores, to supporting someone to meet their friends and helping a client find a job. Services a support worker on Mable can offer include: Social support Domestic support Personal care Nursing services Speech therapy Occupational therapy Physiotherapy Psychology support services. Depending on the support you want to provide, you may or may n