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.
While the specifics of the role depend on the person who is receiving support, being a support worker entails supporting the client to be more independent and socially involved as well as looking after their emotional wellbeing and general health.
In general, there are no certifications or education requirements for support workers, and you do not need previous experience. As a matter of fact, you can go out on your own and become an independent support worker through Mable, and start providing support services that need no specific qualifications, just minimum requirements to register on the platform.
What does a support worker do?
Support workers provide support to people with disabilities and/or older Australians, or anyone that needs assistance with day-to-day tasks. They can work in people’s homes, in specialised care settings or in hospitals on a full time, part time or casual basis, depending on the needs of the client.
Learn more about tasks that support workers do.
Do you need experience to be a support worker?
Some companies may hire you without experience but to get experience in the industry and to boost your resume, you may wish to volunteer in aged care or disability services.
You can also register on the Mable platform and start providing basic support services such as social support and domestic assistance that require no prior experience.
What qualifications do you need to be a support worker?
It is possible to work as an aged care or disability support worker without formal qualifications. To provide support, you may be asked to ensure you have:
- Up-to-date immunisations (as required)
- A First Aid Certificate
- A Working with Children Check
- A Police Check
- An NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Some employers may request that you have a current driver’s licence and access to a vehicle. You will need to comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct which helps providers and workers respect and uphold your right to safe and quality supports and services.
As mentioned above, you can provide some services through the Mable platform that require no qualifications.
You can, however, choose to gain qualifications through the Mable Learning Hub to assist you in your journey of being a support worker and helping you with your professional development. To perform more complex support tasks, you do need to gain additional qualifications. Learn more about support worker qualifications.
How to become an independent support worker via Mable
Support workers who register through Mable are self-employed, they are not employed by Mable.
To sign up and create a support worker account on Mable, you will need the following:
- An Australian Business Number (ABN)
- A profile photo
- A brief bio for your profile
- A police check through our partners Checked Australia (applied for through the link provided by Mable in your profile)
- Two professional or character references
- A Working with Children Check (if working with children)
- An Australian Drivers Licence (if providing transport services)
- Completed infection control training
- To meet your state and/or territory’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
If you’ve set up your account correctly, it will be submitted for approval to our team.
If you’re planning on providing Personal Care, Nursing or other Allied Health Services read more about the qualifications you will need.
Learn more about getting started as a support worker on Mable to start providing support today.
FAQs
How do support workers find work?
Support workers can be employed directly by an agency or disability support organisation or can be self-employed as independent support workers. Independent support workers are their own boss (a sole trader). That means you can choose your clients, the services you provide (where appropriate), and the hours you work. Plus, you have the flexibility to charge different rates for different services or experiences provided.
Through Mable, independent support workers are connected directly with the people who need their services.
Can anybody be a support worker?
If you have a passion for making a positive difference to the lives of people with a disability and helping people to achieve their full potential, you might make a great support worker. Learn more about what makes a good support worker.
You can sign up on Mable as an independent support worker by completing minimum requirements as stated above and start providing support right away.
