FAQ for Support Workers
What is Personal Care work?
Personal care is supporting people to complete everyday tasks that they are unable to complete on their own due to illness, disability or frailty. Find out more.
What is Home Care / Domestic Assistance?
Home Care assists care recipients with household tasks like cleaning, cooking and shopping. Find out more.
What is the pay rate?
Rate of pay depends on the type of work you do (whether it is personal care or home care/domestic assistance), whether you are employed on a permanent part time or casual basis, your level of experience and your qualifications.
Is it essential that I have a driver’s licence and my own car?
No, it is not essential that you have a driver’s licence. However, it is preferred, due to the nature of the Support Worker role in providing services to care recipients in their own homes. Often, you will work with several care recipients and may be required to travel directly from one shift to another. Our services are provided 24 hours per day and accessing public transport late at night and on weekends can be difficult.
I am living interstate/overseas and am considering relocating. Can you give me a job?
Vacancies change on a weekly basis, and the demand for Support Workers can vary from suburb to suburb. If you decide to relocate, we would encourage you to contact us so we can advise you of opportunities in your area.
Do I need experience to work as a Support Worker with Australian Home Care?
Experience is important; however, at Australian Home Care we regard attitude and aptitude for the role as equally important. If you don't have prior experience, we will provide learning opportunities to develop the skills you need to be an outstanding Support Worker.
What qualifications are required for Support Workers?
There are various industry qualifications relevant to the Support Worker role. They include:
- Certificate III and IV in Home and Community Care, Aged Care and Disability Work
- First Aid.
Qualifications are desirable but not mandatory. Australian Home Care provides opportunities for Support Workers to undertake these qualifications.
Will I be trained prior to working with Care Recipients who have complex support needs?
Yes. You will be provided with training. If a care recipient has complex support needs, specific training is provided by the relevant health professional from the care recipient's treating team. This might be a speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, neuropsychologist or Australian Home Care staff member.
What if the Care Recipient asks me to do something I don’t know how to do?
All care recipients have an individual profile and support plan. This plan will have been developed in consultation with care recipient and outlines the tasks expected to be performed when working with the care recipient. Should a care recipient ask you to perform a task not listed on the profile and support plan, you must contact your Service Coordinator immediately to discuss.
How many hours can I work?
Depending on your flexibility and availability of shifts you could work from 10 to 38 hours per week.
How soon will I start working?
Usually the recruitment process takes 1-2 weeks. You can begin work once the appropriate documentation, including reference and Police/Working with Children Checks, are complete.
Is salary packaging available?
Yes, Australian Home Care offers salary packaging. In order to be able to salary package with Australian Home Care, you must be employed in a Permanent Part Time or Full Time capacity and work 15 or more hours per week.
What is a National Police Check?
A National Police Record Check (NPRC) displays all disclosable court outcomes from all states of Australia based on respective policies and legislation. A NPRC is required for all Support Workers, office staff and sub-contractors before commencing employment, or if re-employed after a six month period from the last shift worked.
More information:
Do I need a Working with Children Check?
Working With Children Checks (WWCC) are required for all employees who, in the course of their employment, will be required to provide direct, unsupervised care to a child under 18 years of age. In New South Wales, all staff also need to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration, regardless of whether they will be working with children.
More information:
Who do I contact outside business hours?
Australian Home Care office hours are from 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Outside of these hours an emergency coordination service is provided for Support Workers and care recipients. This service is available 24 hours per day and can be accessed by calling 1800 809 840.
Who can I talk to about becoming a Support Worker?
Each regional office has a recruitment advisor who would be happy to answer any questions you may have about becoming a Support Worker for Australian Home Care. Find your nearest regional office.