Become an Independent Support Worker

Make a Meaningful Impact with Workers Australia

Empower Lives as an Independent Support Workers

Support workers play a crucial role in enhancing people’s quality of life by providing essential care and support. This fulfilling role offers flexibility, purpose, and responsibility. Join Workers Australia and explore the opportunities of independent support work today.

10+

Years of Experience

Compassion, Dedication, and Responsibility in Support Work

As a support workers, you play a vital role in ensuring individuals receive the care they need. Many older Australians and people with disabilities rely on dedicated professionals to help them live independently and with dignity. Your commitment and reliability can significantly enhance their quality of life.

It’s incredibly rewarding to enter someone’s home and provide the care they need.

Margaret, Independent Support Worker

Discover how Margaret embraced the opportunity to offer holistic care through Workers Australia.

Is Independent Support Work with Workers Australia Right for You?

As an independent support worker with Workers Australia, you have the flexibility to manage your own work while making a meaningful impact. Enjoy the benefits of working for yourself while considering the responsibilities that come with it:

With Workers Australia, you can:

Things to consider:

Explore the opportunities and take control of your support work journey with Workers Australia.

What Support Work Can You Offer with Workers Australia?

The type of support you can provide depends on your qualifications and experience.

Are You a Qualified Support Worker?

If you hold relevant qualifications, you may offer specialised services such as:
✔ Nursing (Registered or Enrolled Nurse)
✔ Allied health services
✔ Personal care assistance
✔ Psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physiotherapy

Qualified professionals with the necessary documentation are in high demand and can secure work quickly.

Do You Have No Formal Qualifications?

You can still provide essential support services, including:
✔ Assistance with daily living activities
✔ Social and community support
✔ Household tasks, transportation, gardening, and meal preparation

Enhance Your Skills for More Opportunities

Completing accredited training can expand your skill set, allowing you to offer additional services and improve your job prospects in the support sector.

How to Get Approved as a Support Worker with Workers Australia

Before offering your services, every support worker must complete a sign-up and verification process. This ensures a safe and trustworthy community while helping you connect with the right clients. Join Workers Australia today and take the first step toward a rewarding support work career.

Essential Requirements for All Support Services

Australian Business Number (ABN) Requirement

As an independent support worker with Workers Australia, you must have an ABN before being approved to apply for job opportunities. You can obtain a free ABN through the Australian Business Register to start offering your services.

Police Check – $44 Requirement

To work as an independent support worker with Workers Australia, you must complete a police check, which includes ID verification. This ensures a safe and trustworthy environment for both workers and clients.

✔ Cost: $44
✔ Verification: Conducted through our approved provider
✔ Requirement: All police checks must meet our assessment criteria

For accuracy and validation, existing police checks will not be accepted.

Infection Control Training Requirement

Before being approved to work as a support worker with Workers Australia, you must complete infection control training. This includes watching a 30-minute training video as part of your account setup. This ensures you understand essential health and safety practices when providing support services.

Reference Requirement

To work as a support worker with Workers Australia, you must provide at least two professional or character references. This helps verify your experience, reliability, and suitability for offering support services.

Profile Photo and Bio Requirement

To get started as a support worker with Workers Australia, you must create a profile that includes:

✔ A Profile Photo: A clear, close-up colour photo of your face.
✔ A Bio: A short, engaging summary highlighting your key skills, interests, and what you enjoy. Keep it friendly and conversational to connect with potential clients.

Mandatory Requirement in Tasmania & ACT

Working with Vulnerable People Card – From $131

If you are providing support services in Tasmania or the ACT, you must obtain a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card. This replaces the Working with Children Check and is required regardless of whether you work with children.

✔ Cost: From $131
✔ Requirement: Mandatory for all support workers in Tasmania and the ACT
✔ Purpose: Ensures the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals

Requirements for Offering Nursing, Allied Health, or Personal Care Services

Nursing Requirements

To provide nursing services with Workers Australia, you must have a current AHPRA registration active for at least 12 months as a Registered Nurse or Enrolled Nurse.

Additionally, you must submit two professional or character references to verify your experience and suitability for the role.

Allied Health Requirements

To offer physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or psychological services with Workers Australia, you must have an active AHPRA registration for at least 12 months and provide two professional or character references.

For speech pathology services, you must be registered with Speech Pathology Australia and also submit two professional or character references.

Personal Care Requirements

To provide personal care services with Workers Australia, you must meet one of the following criteria:

✔ Hold a Certificate III or IV in Aged Care or Disability Support
✔ Have a similar relevant qualification
✔ Possess at least 2 years of equivalent experience
✔ Hold a nursing qualification from NZ, the Philippines, USA, Canada, the UK, an EU member country, Singapore, Hong Kong, or the UAE (not for nursing services or medication assistance)

Additionally, you must provide two professional references from a supervisor or colleague who can verify your personal care experience. These references must be from an aged care or disability organisation and within the last five years.

Requirements for Working with Children and Teenagers (Under 18)

Working with Children Check – From $80

If you plan to work with children through Workers Australia, you must provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) number or the equivalent for your state.

✔ Verification: Your WWCC must be submitted for approval before offering services.
✔ Card Requirement: In states where a physical card is issued, you must carry it while providing support.

Requirements for Offering Transport Services

Valid Australian Driver’s Licence Requirement

To offer transport services with Workers Australia, you must provide a current and valid Australian driver’s licence (including provisional licences).

✔ Vehicle Insurance: You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is properly insured.
✔ Traffic Offences: If your police check includes traffic offences, they will be assessed based on our policy.

How to Get Work as a Support Worker with Workers Australia

There are several ways to increase your opportunities and start your journey as a support worker with Workers Australia. By building a strong profile, showcasing your skills, and actively connecting with clients, you can maximise your chances of securing work.

Complete Your Profile

A detailed profile with personal and professional information increases your chances of getting hired.

Stay Connected

Download the Workers Australia app to easily find jobs and respond to client messages.

Check Job Listings Regularly

Stay active by reviewing and applying for available job posts daily. Quick responses improve your chances of securing work.

Meet-and-Greets

Arrange phone, video, or in-person meetings with potential clients to discuss their needs. You can also offer free meet-and-greets by selecting the option in your rates section.

Last-Minute Opportunities

Get connected with clients needing urgent support within a 4 to 48-hour timeframe for quick job placements.

Earning as an Independent Support Worker

Before starting as a support worker with Workers Australia, it’s essential to understand how payments work and how to set your rates.

How Payment Works

You earn money by providing support services, with clients paying you an hourly rate minus platform fees.
Rates are flexible and can be negotiated with each client, provided they meet the minimum hourly rate.
After each session, you submit your support hours. Once approved by the client, the payment process begins.

Setting Your Rates

You earn money by providing support services, with clients paying you an hourly rate minus platform fees.
Rates are flexible and can be negotiated with each client, provided they meet the minimum hourly rate.
After each session, you submit your support hours. Once approved by the client, the payment process begins.

Understanding Your Role as an Independent Support Worker

Support workers play a vital role in helping individuals live independently based on their unique needs.

Types of Support

Assistance can range from daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry to community participation, hobbies, and transportation.

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required for social support and domestic assistance, but nursing or personal care may require specific training and experience.

Restrictions

Support workers cannot perform restrictive practices and must adhere to the Support Provider Code of Conduct to ensure ethical and professional care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need qualifications to be an independent support worker with Workers Australia?

The need for qualifications depends on the services you wish to provide. If you’re offering social support or domestic assistance, formal qualifications are not required. However, if you plan to provide personal care, nursing, or allied health services, you must have the necessary qualifications and experience.

How can I quickly start getting jobs with Workers Australia?

To increase your chances of finding work quickly, download the Workers Australia mobile app and search for jobs in your area. Apply for multiple jobs at once, sign up for email notifications, and register for last-minute job opportunities to stay updated on available positions.

How do I find clients who need personal support workers?

Clients looking for support workers submit job posts on the Workers Australia platform. Once you're an approved support worker, simply log into your account and navigate to the ‘Jobs’ section. You can filter job listings based on location, the type of support you want to provide, and your availability to find the right opportunities.

How do I become a support worker with Workers Australia?

To register as an independent support worker, you will need:

An Australian Business Number (ABN)
A profile photo
A brief bio highlighting your skills and experience
A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check
Two professional or character references
A Working with Children Check (if working with children)
Compliance with state/territory COVID-19 vaccination requirements
Completion of infection control training

For more details on becoming a support worker, explore our comprehensive guide and FAQs.

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

The experience required depends on the type of support services you want to offer. For basic services like social support and domestic assistance, prior experience is generally not necessary unless specified by the client. However, for personal care, nursing, or allied health services, relevant qualifications and experience are required.

How do support workers get paid through Workers Australia?

Support workers receive payment after completing and submitting their support hours. Once the client approves the hours and makes the payment, Workers Australia processes the transaction. Payments are securely handled to ensure timely compensation for services provided. For more details, refer to our guide on how payments work.

How many hours a day does a support worker work?

As an independent support worker, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule and decide how many hours you work each day. You can choose to work full-time or part-time, supporting multiple clients based on your availability and the services you offer.

What does an aged care or disability support worker do?

Aged care and disability support workers assist individuals with daily living, personal care, and community participation. They may work in private homes, specialised care settings, or hospitals on a full-time, part-time, or casual basis, depending on client needs. Support workers also help implement essential services such as nursing, personal care, speech therapy, psychology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.