Becoming a support worker

How much experience do you need to become a support worker?

2 August 2022

Last updated 10 May 2023

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. Here’s how you can start right away.

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
A 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 and access more than 100 courses 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 with this article.

How to become an independent support worker via Mable

Support workers who register through Mable are self-employed, i.e. they are independent sole traders. To register on Mable as an independent support provider, you need:

Australian Business Number (ABN)
Police Check via our verification partner (through your Mable account link)
Working with Children Check (if working with children)
Mandatory COVID-19 training
Two references
A photo
COVID-19 vaccination evidence (if applicable)

Learn more about getting started as a support worker on Mable to start providing support today.

FAQs

With the appropriate checks and registrations, anyone can 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.

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.

For more information or to register as an independent support worker with Mable, visit the website.