NDIS Services

Can I directly contact the support workers on your platform?

Yes, if you see a registered NDIS provider on Support Network that you are interested in, you can contact them directly through our messaging system. The care professionals on our platform have Police Checks, Working with Children checks and other qualifications related to NDIS care, but you might also want to ask them about their skills and experience.

What if I can’t find a support worker I like in my area?

Support Network helps you find NDIS registered providers, such as support workers, allied health professionals and disability specialists who are local to you, by allowing you to search our database by postcode. 

We are continually adding NDIS proved providers to our network, and expanding our reach across Australian suburbs. However, if you can’t find who you need close to you, another option is to create your own job ad for distribution across our network.

To do this, you’ll need to create a profile free of charge, select ‘post a job’ from your dashboard, provide details on what you are looking for (e.g. your suburb or postcode, the care hours that you need, the days you prefer for services, any preferences that you might have regarding gender of the care worker, and any specific skills or NDIS support services you require. Once your ad is approved, it will be shared with support workers in our network. You’ll be notified when applicants respond, allowing you to reach out to them directly if you choose. The more details you provide, the better your chances of finding the right person for your needs.

I have a support worker I like. Can I continue working with them using the Support Network platform?

Yes, if you have an NDIS approved provider you’re already accessing services from, you can continue using them through the Support Network platform. You can also invite other NDIS home care providers to join your care team through our platform, whether that’s a support worker, therapist, nurse, or neighbour or friend who assists you with daily living.

When you sign up to Support Network, we will ask if there is anyone who you would like to invite to join your NDIS home help team. When you provide us with their contact details, we’ll send them an email on your behalf, inviting them to join Support Network as NDIS care providers. We will also explain to them how the Support Network platform works, manage their approval process and provide an easy way for you to pay their invoices, so they can join your personal care team as soon as possible.

What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a program in Australia that helps people with permanent disabilities impacting daily life. The scheme provides funding so they can access support (for example, NDIS home care services to assist with housework and personal care tasks). This helps participants live more independently, improve their quality of life, and prevent isolation by taking an active part in their communities. The types of support covered by the NDIS include equipment like wheelchairs, home modifications, NDIS personal care, and help with work or education goals.

The NDIS is flexible, meaning people can choose the services and NDIS support service providers that work best for them. They can also decide to manage their funding themselves, get help from a plan manager, or have someone coordinate their supports. This program is all about giving people with disabilities more control over their care and helping them achieve their goals.

Can people with NDIS plans use Support Network?

Yes, if you have been approved for government funding through the NDIS, you can use the Support Network platform to hire NDIS home care providers as part of your plan. The NDIS offers a self-management option, allowing you to take charge of your own care plan. This means you can personally select NDIS accredited providers to assist you with daily life, giving you greater flexibility and control over who provides you with services in your home. By managing your own plan, you can also reduce administrative costs and ensure the support you receive is tailored to your specific needs and schedule.

To use Support Network to hire NDIS approved service providers, all you need to do is register for free and you can start searching our database of support workers, allied health professionals and care experts. It’s a great way to hire NDIS in home support that best meets your needs, makes a positive impact on your daily life, and helps you reach your goals.

Can you provide assistance if I need help using the platform?

Yes, our friendly team is happy to assist you with any problems you may have with using the Support Network platform. To chat to someone about your specific issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our staff team.

What services can you access through an NDIS approved service provider?

An NDIS worker provides lots of different services to people with NDIS plans to help participants perform daily living tasks, enjoy a better quality of life, and achieve their goals towards greater independence. These services include things like:

• Personal Care – providing support for tasks such as showering, getting dressed, personal appearance, toileting, personal activities and hygiene 
• Domestic assistance – helping with cleaning, vaccuming, cooking, shopping, laundry, and other domestic tasks to ensure safe and comfortable living environment
• Everyday activities – supporting people to stay active, exercise, and attend recreational activities and events in their community, transport assistance, specialist skills and complementary therapies
• Transport – providing transport to appointments, school, work, or social activities to maintain independence in everyday life and encourage social participation
• Daily life skills – assisting participants with development activities and daily tasks like budgeting, meal preparation, catching public transport, communication, maintaining relationships, or learning daily living skills to help and promote independent living and maintain functional capacity
• Companionship and self-care activities – offering social support and companionship, which can beneficial for emotional wellbeing and mental health
• Mental health and behavioural support – practical assistance for people with mental health conditions, positive behaviour support, assistance with challenging behaviours
• School and work – providing support, where needed, to participate in education, training and employment, including school transport

What is a self-managed NDIS plan?

If you choose to self-manage your NDIS plan, it means that you or your loved one take charge of coordinating your disability support services, and hiring your own disability support workers. You can still have assistance by hiring a plan manager and support coordinator from the funding in your plan, but this option generally gives you more independence and control companied to mainstream services, which workers you can hire, and the daily schedule of your care.

Some of the tasks you may need to take care of when self-managing your NDIS plan include paying invoices, submitting claims to the National Disability Insurance Scheme for reimbursement from your plan, hiring support workers and creating your own care schedule, and choosing your services.

How do I choose the NDIS worker that’s right for me?

Hiring your own support worker can seem like a challenging task if you’ve never done it before, especially if you’ve only accessed disability services through disability providers who organise your care team for you. To help you get started, here are some key steps to guide you:

• Begin by outlining the tasks, skills, and qualities you need in a support worker. Think about any personal preferences, such as experience with specific disabilities, fluency in a particular language, or availability on certain days or hours.
• Evaluate whether the support worker has relevant experience assisting people with disability, and providing support with a wide range of tasks such as personal care, community activities, capacity building exercises, food services, daily living activities, or assisting with community transport services.
• Ensure their personality and values align with yours. Traits like empathy, patience, effective communication, and a holistic approach can greatly enhance the support experience.
• Schedule a meeting or interview to ask questions, set expectations, and gauge their approach. Pay attention to whether they demonstrate compassion and a client-centered mindset, and assess how comfortable you feel with them.
• Consider starting with a short-term trial period. This lets you evaluate their skills, communication style, and overall compatibility before committing to a long-term arrangement.