Support Workers in Canberra

What does a support worker do?

A support worker provides practical and emotional assistance to people who need help due to age, disability, mental health conditions, or other vulnerabilities. Their role can vary depending on the sector they work in—such as aged care, disability services, or mental health support—but it generally includes:

• Assisting with activities like bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Helping with mobility, transfers, and exercises
• Supporting clients with household tasks like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping
• Offering companionship and promoting social interaction
• Helping clients access community activities, appointments, or events
• Monitoring health and wellbeing, usually in collaboration with healthcare professionals
• Assisting with medication reminders or administration
• Driving clients to appointments, shopping, or social events, or assisting them with public transport when needed
• Encouraging and supporting clients to do as much as they can independently to maintain dignity and self-esteem
• Supporting clients in learning new skills to enhance autonomy
• Documenting daily tasks, changes in condition, and any incidents
• Reporting concerns to supervisors or healthcare providers

Sign up to Support Network for free, and start searching our database of qualified support workers and other care professionals to find the right one for your needs. To find qualified carers in Canberra, register today.

Can I hire my own support worker through the NDIS?

Yes, you can use NDIS funding to hire independent support workers, but it depends on how your plan is managed. If your plan is self-managed, you have more flexibility and can directly hire independent workers or even someone you know. With a plan-managed plan, you still have the option to hire independent workers, but the plan manager handles payments and paperwork. However, if your plan is NDIA-managed, you can only access registered NDIS providers.

If you hire an independent worker, you need to create a service agreement to outline tasks, responsibilities, and payment terms. It’s important to check qualifications, ensure they have necessary checks (like a police check), and confirm they have relevant insurance coverage. If you self-manage, you’ll also need to keep records and handle superannuation or tax obligations.

Platforms like Support Network can help with these tasks by making it easy to do the paperwork through our easy to use platform. If you’re looking for an aged care or disability worker in Canberra, join Support Network for free to find the right person and manage their services without too much work.

Can I hire my own care worker if I have a Home Care Package?

Yes, you can hire independent care workers if you have a self-managed Home Care Package, giving you more flexibility to choose workers and negotiate rates. Independent care workers can assist with personal care (like bathing and dressing), household tasks (cleaning and cooking), transport, and companionship, but all services must fit within the scope of your package and be aligned with your budget.

Hiring independent workers offers more personalised care and flexibility and can be cost-effective than choosing a provider to manage your care. However, it comes with administrative responsibilities such as managing payments and legal requirements. Using a platform like Support Network can make the job easier. Sign up for free today and start exploring your options.

Can a support worker provide support for mental health issues?

Yes, a support worker can assist people with mental health challenges, but their role focuses on providing practical and emotional support rather than clinical treatment. Support workers can help with routine tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping to reduce stress. They also offer emotional support, promote social interaction, and encourage participation in community activities to improve wellbeing. They complement the work of mental health professionals by helping clients with daily tasks, developing life skills, and accessing community services.

While support workers are not therapists or psychologists, many receive mental health training to better understand certain conditions. Some may have specialised qualifications, such as Mental Health First Aid, enabling them to respond appropriately in crisis situations. They often collaborate with psychologists, psychiatrists, or case managers to ensure consistent care. They can monitor changes in behaviour and report concerns to health professionals, playing a crucial role in supporting recovery and day-to-day stability.

Use the Support Network platform to find an experienced mental health worker in Canberra, or disability support workers in Canberra. Our intuitive platform makes it easy, enabling you to stay in control of your care plan. To get started, just register for free today.

What qualifications does a support worker have?

Support workers often complete relevant certificates or vocational training to prepare for their roles. The most common qualification is the Certificate III or IV in Individual Support, Disability, or Aged Care, which covers areas like personal care, communication skills, and workplace health and safety. Some roles may also require specialised courses in mental health support or community services. Beyond formal qualifications, support workers usually need practical experience, such as placements or supervised work, to build hands-on skills. They also need to obtain police checks, Working with Children Checks, and in some cases, First Aid and CPR certification. These checks ensure they meet legal and safety requirements to work with vulnerable populations.

Need a qualified support worker to provide you with support services? It’s easy to use the Support Network platform to find an independent community support worker in Canberra who can make a positive difference in your life. To get started today and start exploring our network of care professionals, register for free on the Support Network platform.

Is Support Network suitable for people with Home Care Packages or NDIS plans?

Yes, if you have access to government funding through an NDIS plan or a Home Care Package, you can hire independent support workers on the Support Network platform through your plan. 

Both the Home Care Packages scheme and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provide an option that enables you to manage your own care plan, which means you can choose your own independent support workers and have more control over your care team, instead of having everything organised and delivered to you by a care provider. The advantage of this option is that you have more control over your care, pay less in administration fees, and can hire your own support workers to provide support that is suited to your needs and your schedule.

Finding high quality, experienced aged care and disability support workers in Canberra is easy when you sign up to the Support Network digital platform. To give it a try, all you need to do is register for free and start searching our database of support workers and care professionals. It’s a great way to hire a support worker who meets your needs, makes a positive impact on your daily life, and helps you reach your goals.

How do I choose a support worker that’s right for me?

Choosing the right support worker starts with understanding your specific needs. Whether you need help with personal care, companionship, or specialised support for a chronic condition, figuring out what you’re looking for will narrow down your options. It's also important to make sure the worker has relevant qualifications and experience for your particular requirements.

Personality and compatibility matter just as much as skills. Look for someone whose communication style and values align with yours, and choose someone who you can get along with. A positive relationship makes a significant difference in the quality of care and daily interactions.

Practical considerations like availability and flexibility are also important to consider. Make sure the support worker’s schedule fits your needs, and ask about backup plans for holidays or absences. Whenever possible, arrange a trial session or meet-and-greet to work out if you are compatible.

Looking for a NDIS support worker in Canberra? When you register for free on the Support Network platform, you’ll have access to a wide range of care professionals in your local area, so you can find the one who is right for your needs.

What do I do if I need help using the platform?

Our team is available to help with any problems you may have. To speak to someone about your particular issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

I’m a support worker in Canberra. How do I join Support Network?

If you are a support worker who works for themselves, Support Network is an easy and convenient way to find great clients in your local area, work flexibly and set your own hours, and expand your client base. We’re a rapidly growing digital platform that is always looking for more high quality carers to provide care services to clients in Australia. You can provide a wide range of services on our platform, including domestic assistance, social support, nursing services, personal care, Allied Health services, childcare services, aged care services and more.

If you’re a personal care assistant in Canberra or a mental health support worker in Canberra, you can join us for free, create a new profile, and start finding clients today. 

How do I post a job on the Support Network platform?

On top of searching our database of aged care and disability care professionals, Support Network allows you to post your own job ad on the platform, so you can find the person you need.

To post a job ad, simply create your own profile, click ‘post a job’ on the dashboard, and enter your details, such your postcode or suburb, the number of care hours you need each week, days you would like to receive care, any preferences for male or female care workers, and other services you specifically need, such as meal preparation, daily living activities or domestic tasks. Keep in mind that the more information you provide, the better your opportunities of finding a good match.

Once your job ad is approved, it will be sent to support workers on our database. You will be notified when people apply for the job. You can contact them directly if you wish and ask about details such as hourly rates, care standards, background checks, and current skills. Once you have as successful candidate, you can use our platform to help manage invoicing and payment.

Are you searching for quality caregivers with flexible hours in Canberra ACT to provide individual support? Create a unique job ad today, and you’ll reach hundreds of qualified support workers with interpersonal skills, ready to provide quality care services for individuals. To start the process, simply register for free and follow the prompts to create your own ad for professionals in the care sector, for a better quality of life.

What is the difference between an independent support worker, and one employed by a provider?

An independent support worker is a carer who works for themselves, rather than for a provider. This means they can negotiate their pay rates, set their own hours, choose where they work, and what type of services they offer. They directly deal their clients, and can often more flexible to their needs.

A support worker who works for a provider is an employee of that organisation. They are assigned to the provider’s clients, and provide services as part of the client’s care plan. In many cases, they are rostered by the organisation, so they may be less flexible to provide support when it suits your timetable.

You can use NDIS or Home Care Package funding to hire either independent support workers or employed support workers. The benefits of either option are:

With an independent support worker:

• They can be flexible to your schedule
• You can deal directly with them about your care plan
• You can choose and hire your own support workers

With an employed support worker:

• The provider has accountability mechanisms in place, which gives peace of mind
• You may be able to access carers with specialised training for complex needs
• You won’t have as responsibility over managing your care, which can be less of a burden if you prefer a less hands-on approach to your care
• This might be a better option for people who do not have the time or capacity to have heavily involved in managing their support team

Support Network makes it easy to hire independent NDIS workers in Canberra suburbs. To find out how it works, simply register for free and set up your own profile, so you can start searching our database today.

What is a support worker service agreement?

A support worker service agreement is a formal document that clearly states the terms and conditions of the relationship between a support worker and their client. It acts as a contract that both individuals agree to before the support worker begins providing services. 

A support worker service agreement typically includes:

• Services – what tasks the support worker will do (like personal care, transport, respite care or household chores)
• Schedule – when the worker will be available to work
• Payment – how much and how often the client will pay for the services
• Terms – how long the agreement lasts, how either party can end it, and any special conditions
• Responsibilities – what each person is supposed to do, like respecting privacy and following safety rules
• Code of Conduct – rules for how the support worker will behave professionally.
• Disputes – how to handle disagreements

Both the support worker and the client sign this agreement to make sure they understand and agree to these terms. It helps ensure a clear and respectful relationship while the support services are provided.

Looking to independently hire a personal care worker in Canberra? Support Network can help you through the entire process. From finding appealing candidates in your area to choosing the right person, drawing up a service agreement, and organising payments from your Home Care Package or NDIS plan, we make everything easy. To give our platform a try, simply register for free and set up your own profile, so you can start searching our database today.

I already have an independent support worker in Canberra. Can I hire and pay them through Support Network?

Yes, you can! You can invite anyone to join your care team through Support Network: a support worker, therapist, nurse, neighbour or friend.

When you sign up, we will ask you who you would like to invite. Enter their contact details, and we will send them an email on your behalf, inviting them to join Support Network as an independent service provider. We will also explain to them how our platform works, manage their approval and take care of the payment process so they can join your personal care team as soon as possible.

Need a family support worker in Canberra? We’re here to help. To give our platform a try, simply register for free and place an ad or set up a profile, so you can start searching through our database of excellent care professionals right away.