Support Workers in Darwin

What does a support worker do?

A support worker provides practical and emotional support to people who need help with daily living due to disability, age, illness, or other challenges. They assist with personal care tasks like bathing, toileting and dressing, household chores such as cleaning and meal preparation, and support clients in attending medical appointments, running errands, or participating in social activities. Building trusting relationships and offering companionship are also key aspects of the role.

Support workers tailor their services to meet the unique needs of their clients, whether it's helping a person with a disability achieve greater independence or supporting an older adult to remain living at home. Their ultimate goal is to empower individuals to live dignified, fulfilling lives while promoting their independence and wellbeing.

What’s the difference between an NDIS support worker and a Home Care Package support worker?

NDIS support workers help people with disabilities, typically under 65, to achieve specific goals like independence, skill development, and community participation. Home Care Package support workers focus on older adults over 65, helping them maintain independence and quality of life in their homes.

NDIS support is funded through individual NDIS plans tailored to help clients meet personal goals, while Home Care Packages services are funded by the Australian Government’s Home Care Package program. While both roles involve personal care and household assistance, NDIS support is goal-specific and flexible, whereas HCP support emphasises maintaining health, independence and wellbeing as a person grows older.

Looking for qualified carers in Darwin? Support Network makes this easy, with an easy-to-use platform and plenty of support. Register today to find the support worker who is right for your needs.

How much does an NDIS worker cost?

The cost of hiring an NDIS support worker per hour varies, depending on the type of service you need, the time of day, and if it’s the weekend or a public holiday. The National Disability Insurance Scheme sets hourly rates for support workers, as outlined in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. You can either access a support worker through a provider, or manage your plan yourself and hire an independent support worker. Generally, hiring an independent support worker and managing your own plan is a more cost effective option, saving you on admin fees. However, it does require you to put in more work organising your plan.

Looking for an independent disability worker in Darwin? Support Network is here to help. Sign up for free to access carers in your local area, so you can find the right person for your needs.

How do I know if a support worker is right for me?

Hiring the right support worker is all about choosing the person who has the right skills, is properly certified, and gets along well with you, or with your loved one. A good place to begin is to consider what type of support you need—help with personal care tasks, transport, social support, learning skills, complex care, nursing support or help with therapies—and who would suit the role. This will help you focus your search on people with the right qualifications for your needs. Keep in mind that Support Network only accepts support workers who have a Police Check and a Working With Children check.

Meet the person face-to-face so you can see if you get along and are the right fit for each other. A support worker should be compassionate, patient, trustworthy and friendly. You should feel comfortable and relaxed in their company. When you interview them, you might want to ask questions such as, ‘how would you handle a challenging situation?’ ‘What’s your approach to care?’ ‘How do you prefer to communicate with your client?’ ‘How do you set goals with your client and decide on activities?’

Once you’ve checked practical aspects such as available hours, travel and time off, set clear expectations about their role and agree on things like pay and schedules. Also ensure you keep communicating with each other, so you can create a positive and open working relationship.

Looking for a mental health worker in Darwin? You can find and hire the right support team with Support Network. Our intuitive platform makes it easy to find the workers you need. To look for an NDIS support worker in Darwin suburbs, register for free today.

How do I find a support worker on the Support Network platform?

Looking for a support worker on our platform is simple, with plenty of guidance along the way.  Here’s some steps to help you get started.

1. Register for free

Create an account free of charge on the Support Network platform. Once you provide some basic information, we’ll set up a profile so you can start accessing our database.

2. Search for support workers in your area

Once you decide what type of support you need, use the platform to search through support workers. You can conduct a search according to location (suburb or postcode), the service you need, days that you require care, or other specifications.

3. Create a shortlist

Each care professional on the Support Network platform has a profile where you can find out more about their skills, experience, qualifications, and days they provide their services. You can use these profiles to make a shortlist and narrow down your options, so you have an idea of who you would like to get in touch with for an interview.

4.  Arrange a face to face meeting

Once you have a list of support workers who you are interested in, you can use the Support Network platform to contact them directly and request an interview. You might like to bring a loved one with you to that meeting, and ask questions such as:

• How do you handle challenging situations?
• What experience have you had supporting people with my specific disability?
• What is your approach to providing support at home?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses as a carer?
• Are you flexible in the days you provide care?
• Are you available to provide emergency support if I require it?

5. Hire your support worker

Once you choose the candidate who you would like as your support worker, the next step is to create a service agreement and set up invoicing and payment. You can do these tasks easily through the Support Network platform, and we’re always here to assist if you need help. Simply register for free and start looking for the support worker who’s the right fit for you.

If you’re on the NDIS, can you hire someone to support you with mental health?

If you have an NDIS plan and your plan is self-managed, you can hire an independent worker to support you with mental health issues, provided the support helps you meet your plan’s goals.

Mental health support is often called psychosocial work, as it helps people living with psychosocial disability or mental health conditions to have more independence in everyday life. It can be funded under different NDIS categories and cover things such as counselling, learning interpersonal skills and personal care skills, manage challenging behaviors, social participation, accessing community support programs and community activities to improve your mental health, assistance with managing mental health symptoms, medication management, and help with completing daily living activities.

When hiring an NDIS-registered provider, it’s important to make sure they have the right qualifications, experience, and clearances, such as a Working with Children Check or NDIS Worker Screening. They should also have a good understanding of mental health support and be able to work with you to help you achieve your goals and make a positive impact on your wellbeing.

Are you looking for a mental health support worker in Darwin NT? Support Network’s intuitive digital platform makes it easy. Start your search today and find the support worker who can support you with mental health and independent living.

What checks do support workers on the platform undergo?

Support workers that advertise their services on Support Network have all of their safety checks, such as a National Police Clearance and, if needed for their role, a Working with Children Check.

You can also view a support worker’s relevant professional development and previous experience in disability support on their personal profile, along with any training they’ve completed. This helps you make an informed choice about your care, and find the best person to suit your needs.

Looking for a NDIS support worker in Darwin NT? We’re here to help. When you register for free on the Support Network platform, you’ll have access to a team of disability support workers who assist individuals with disabilities, so you can access disability support services at a time that is convenient for you.

I’m a support worker in Darwin – how do I join Support Network?

With a growing number of aged care and disability clients seeking independent support workers to provide essential services, we’re actively expanding our network in Darwin NT to meet this demand. If you’re a personal care assistant, disability support worker, allied health professional, a provider of children and adult services, Aboriginal family support worker, a behaviour support services provider, youth support worker, personal care worker or care professional in Darwin who offers disability services on a flexible schedule, this is an exciting opportunity to connect with clients who need your expertise. By joining our platform, you can sign up for free and create a personalised profile showcasing your skills, experience, range of services, and availability, making it easier for potential clients to find and hire you.

Our platform offers a convenient way to grow your client base, find flexible working hours, access casual positions and find new job opportunities, giving you the flexibility to choose disability service provider jobs that suit your preferences, schedule, and professional goals. Whether you’re looking for occasional work or a full roster with a range of clients, we provide the tools to match you with opportunities tailored to your expertise. You’ll also benefit from being part of a trusted network, which helps you build your reputation and expand your reach.

 Join us for free today and opening the door to a rewarding role in your field and ongoing employment that makes a positive difference in people's lives.

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

Along with searching our database, you can also post your own unique job ad on the Support Network digital platform, inviting candidates to apply for your job.

To post an ad, sign up for free then follow the prompts to ‘post a job’ on the dashboard. You’ll need to provide us with details such as where the job is located, the number of hours and days you require, what services and skills you require, and if you have any specific preferences (e.g. you might prefer a male or female support worker, or have a language requirement).

Once your advertisement has been approved, it will be distributed across our database, and you'll be notified when care support workers apply. Keep in mind that the more details you provide, the better your chances of finding the right match. 

Are you searching for caregivers in Darwin with hands-on experience in the disability support industry? Sign up and post your own unique job ad today to find the right support worker for your needs. All you need to do is register for free and follow the prompts to get started.

What is the difference between an independent support worker, and one who works with a provider?

An independent support worker provides care to clients as a self-employed professional, rather than working for an agency or organisation. This means that they choose their own working hours, where they work, and the types of services they provide. Independent support workers are also more able to tailor their services directly to the client’s needs.

On the other hand, a support worker employed by an organisation delivers care as part of the provider’s services to a client. This means clients are assigned these workers through the provider, and these support workers typically follow a roster and may collaborate with other team members from the organisation to fulfill the client’s needs.

Home Care Packages or NDIS plans can be used to hire either independent support workers or those employed by a provider, each offering unique benefits. Independent support workers provide flexibility over care schedules, direct communication, and the ability to personally select and hire care providers, fostering a sense of control and independence.

Support workers employed by providers offer advantages such as greater accountability, access to specialised training for complex needs, and reduced responsibility for managing care arrangements. This option can be ideal for those who prefer less involvement in organising their care or do not have the capacity to manage a dedicated team. Both options cater to different preferences and circumstances, enabling clients to choose the approach that best suits their needs.

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

What is an NDIS service agreement?

An NDIS service agreement is a contract between a participant and a service provider that helps create a transparent and fair working relationship by outlining the terms and conditions for the services being delivered. It usually specifies the services to be provided, how often they will occur, and the associated costs, giving both parties a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Key features of an NDIS service agreement include services provided, payment details, cancellation policies, and dispute resolution processes. It outlines how payments will be managed and sets terms for cancellations, such as notice periods and any applicable fees. An agreement can also include a process for handling disputes.

Having an NDIS service agreement is important as it protects both the participant and the provider by setting clear expectations and ensuring compliance with NDIS guidelines. It also makes it easier to resolving issues and helps foster a professional and trusting relationship. 

Do you need an independent personal care worker in Darwin? Support Network is here to help. Our digital platform makes it easy to search, hire and manage carers in your local area. 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 Darwin. Can I hire and pay them through

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

Need a family support worker in Darwin? We’re here to help. To give our platform a try, simply register for free and start searching our database today.