The competition will close on 20 February 2026 at 5.00 pm AEDT and winners will be notified by 26 February 2026.
*Check the Terms and Conditions for full details. ACT and NSW will be in the same prize pool; NT and SA will be in the same prize pool.
Marty brings genuine care, enthusiasm, and professionalism to his role as a support worker.
I am 82 and live with arthritis, bursitis, sciatica, and emphysema, which is why Marty encourages me to go on walks wherever I feel like going, whether along the beach or through the forest. He does this with real enthusiasm, making these outings enjoyable, safe, and meaningful.
When we go out, Marty also videos where we go, which gives me something I truly love — I spend the evening happily editing the videos and posting them on YouTube. Together, we have created over 100 videos of our forest and beach walks, which has given me purpose, enjoyment, and creative engagement.
Marty always brightens my day and leaves me with a smile on my face. He treats me like a friend, with kindness, patience, and respect, listens when I talk, responds positively, and makes me feel valued and supported.
He truly deserves recognition for the positive difference he makes in my life.
No amount of words can possibly describe the level of joy, support and friendship Tania offers my mum on a weekly basis. Tania has transformed Mum’s life from one of isolation to daily joy.
Despite the challenges of Mum being blind and living with dementia, Tania makes every session meaningful. She is incredibly calm, observant, and detailed in her care approach. She handles the toughest parts of care – continence, showering – with such natural humour and kindness that what could be awkward becomes moments of dignity and laughter. The last thing Mum asks at night is, “Will Tania come tomorrow?” Which says it all.
It truly makes our day seeing Mum reach for Tania’s hand while they watch movies or listen to music together, having a giggle and chatting away, but also that mum can confide in Tania about her most personal worries.
Tania doesn’t just care for Mum – she supports our whole family, extends her hours without hesitation, providing emotional support and invaluable guidance as we navigate difficult moments.
We honestly cannot imagine doing this without her. We would love Tania to be recognised for the skilled carer she is.
Briony has an amazing, bubbly personality and always arrives with a big smile and endless energy.
Nothing is ever too much trouble for her. From house cleaning, ironing to playing cards and board games, meal preparation, social outings, shopping assistance and even fishing, she does it all with enthusiasm and gives everything 100%.
Her eye for detail takes her cleaning to the next level, and no matter the task, Briony jumps in happily and gets it done. Her energy and infectious laugh instantly lift everyone’s spirits and brighten the whole day.
Briony is not only attentive to physical needs, she regularly checks in on Ian’s mental health as well as mine as his carer. With her nursing background, she is highly in tune with Ian’s medical requirements and notices things that someone without medical training may not recognise.
When I am away, Briony provides extra support, giving me complete peace of mind knowing Ian is fully cared for and all his needs are being met. The days she comes are the highlight of Ian’s day.
She truly is one of a kind and absolutely amazing.
Pauline is one carer that is the absolute best out severely disabled has ever had.
She has so much compassion, kindness, and Pauline looks after Chris as if he was her own son.
Chris loves Pauline and looks forward to seeing Pauline when she comes to look after Chris.
Chris’s life has changed for the better and so has Trevor, Chris’s dad and myself being Chris’s mum. Pauline has taken the stress off our shoulders.
Pauline is such a beautiful person.
Chez is a blessing.
I have a rare autoimmune so every day is different. My day can change in an instant due to an appointment change, emergency or bad nights sleep. Chez is considerate, can sense how I feel and what I need. Having Chez on my care team gives me my dignity, when I am at my lowest or weakest, be it emotionally or physically, she just gets it.
Whether it be helping to undress, shower, washing my hair, helping me into bed or simply making a cup of tea for me, the empathy, awareness and assistance takes my feeling of helplessness away for a while.
I am always a glass-half-full person, but have hurdles to jump, where I can’t be the glass-half-full, Chez is. Which is very important.
It’s not just about supporting either, it’s about encouraging me to get out, interacting with others, and putting that enjoyment and purpose back in life. Chez is extremely professional, when she is supporting me, I am her only focus, she is not distracted by devices, personal issues or life outside.
With my life, the curveballs and me, I would be lost without Chez.
My support worker is exceptional because her impact goes far beyond simply showing up — she strengthens our entire family. In particular, the way she supports my husband, who lives with dementia is deeply meaningful.
She brings a sense of calm, structure, and reassurance into our home, and her presence consistently makes life feel more manageable for all of us.
She is endlessly patient and has a remarkable ability to engage with my husband in a way that makes him feel interesting, valued, and respected. She truly listens to him, remembers the small details of what he shares, and responds in ways that help him feel understood rather than overlooked.
Even on difficult days, she knows how to connect with him and gently support his dignity and confidence.
What truly sets her apart is how proactive and intuitive she is. She doesn’t wait to be told what’s needed — she anticipates it, adjusting her support as our circumstances change.
She provides steady encouragement, helps maintain routine and motivation, and supports me as a carer with equal care and understanding.
She is always reliable, on time, and brings positive, grounding energy into our home.
2025 Support Worker Awards
The 2025 Independent Support Worker Award winners are here.
Carly, at just 21, has brought joy and renewal to my 100 year old nan’s life with her exceptional dedication and care.
Her efforts often go above and beyond, something noticed and deeply appreciated by Nan’s family, friends, and neighbours, who know how important living at home is to her. Carly recently took Nan to see the Christmas lights in her local town, a heartwarming experience Nan hadn’t enjoyed in years.
Carly’s age is a testament to the vital need for young people to enter the aged care field. Her passion and commitment, even while working through her university break to support her studies in aged care and disability work, highlight how rewarding this career path can be.
Carly’s ability to connect with Nan, uplift her spirits, and enrich her life is truly inspiring. Recognising Carly with this award would not only support her as she continues her journey in this essential field but also encourage other young people to consider aged care as a meaningful career.
Carly embodies the future of compassionate support, and she deserves this recognition for the incredible impact she’s had on Nan and everyone around her.
— Rachael, granddaughter of Carly’s client
Umair is the kindest, most professional , dedicated support worker I could ever have working to support my son Raymond to live his best life.
My son and Umair are the same age which makes their bond even more special in that Raymond has a young man supporting him.
Umair shows initiative and has such a gentle manner with Raymond that his integrity been recognised by 3rd party service providers and members of Raymonds community.
Raymond’s face lights up when Umair arrives to start his shift. We feel so lucky to have Umair in our universe.
– Niari, mother of Umair’s client
I have never met such a compassionate, empathetic and giving person in my entire life. Jo-Ann always goes above and beyond the expectations of what is required as a carer.
Her loyalty to my Mum is incredible, she will be there to cover any gaps in support hours and does things like batch cooking in her own home, makes cakes and goodies to fill up the fridge and freezer on a regular basis. She always takes Mum to all her appointments to Podiatrist, Doctor and Dentist as well as regular appointments to take the dog to the vet and groomer. These are not really her responsibility, they should be mine.
In all honesty Jo-Ann looks after Mum better than I could ever do. Words are just not enough to show my appreciation so I am hoping this acknowledgement will let her know how grateful we are to have her.
The photo attached is Jo-Ann with Carleen who is my Mum. This was a birthday surprise 23rd January for her 89th Birthday that she arranged for her. How grand is that, she is just the best. Incredible human being.
— Debra, daughter of Jo-Ann’s client
Always with a cheery smile, she arrives and does what needs to be done, no fuss, no asking. Caring, attentive and compassionate she gently encourages him to take a few more sips of water from the glass she offers him. She checks his medicine, asks if he has slept well, makes his bed, does the laundry and prepares his lunch.
Always alert for his safety, she encourages him to walk a few steps further and to converse with her. She makes him smile, dress up for outings, and encourages a sense of wellbeing and pride in himself.
She communicates her concerns with me.
With her RN training from Brazil, she is always on the lookout for self improvement opportunities. She studies to advance her knowledge base and looks for volunteering opportunities to strengthen her practical skills. She understands and practices client focused care which takes precedence over domestic chores.
She is a treasure and a delight to have around and I relax when I know she is with him. Danielle is an exemplary support worker worthy of a 2025 Independent Support Worker Award.
— Maria, family member of Danielle’s client
Toni is a fabulous Support Worker, she has made my life better.
I now have routine care which is what I needed. She is always eager to help in anyway she can. I love her company because we can have a laugh and also talk a lot. She always does a great job when she cleans or cooks for me. She has helped me to overcome some of my fears. Her genuine caring has helped me to be able to go out more, even to have overnight bookings where we can go out to eat which is all I can really do these days, as it’s hard for me to go out by myself.
Due to the fact I am not able to walk much anymore it is good to be able to go out and know that I have someone with me that knows how to support me. If you asked me what is the thing I like most about Toni, I would say it’s her genuine caring.
I will alway hire Toni because Carers like her are not always easy to get. Thank you Toni for all you have done and will do for me.
— Christine, Toni’s client
Debbie has been an incredible asset to my son Joshua in his journey towards greater independence and well-being.
From the very first meeting, she displayed a genuine commitment to understanding his needs and goals. Her empathetic nature and active listening skills create a safe space for Josh to express his thoughts and feelings, making him feel valued and heard.
Debbie anticipates his needs before he even articulates them.
Whether it’s helping him with daily tasks, guiding me through challenges, or encouraging him to pursue his interests, she approaches every situation with patience and positivity.
She motivates me to go beyond my comfort zone.
Additionally, she is always professional through every interaction. She fosters a trusting relationship through her friendly and respectful demeanour.
I appreciate her consistent reliability, knowing that she’s there when l need the support for Josh, giving me peace of mind.
Overall, Debbie has been a caring support worker, making a significant impact on Josh’s life, helping me to grow, learn and thrive. I am very grateful for her unwavering support and dedication.
— Keryn, mother of Debbie’s client
A winning support worker was chosen from each state.
The nominators of the winning support workers won:
The winning support workers won:
We truly appreciate the time you took to submit your entry. We loved receiving your photos and reading the thoughtful messages recognising your support worker.