Support Worker
Provide support to individuals and families by carrying a range of household and personal care tasks.
What's it like to be a Support Worker?
Support Workers are vital carers for vulnerable individuals and their families. Support Workers provide practical support, such as helping with household tasks, filling out paperwork, administering medication and personal care. They also often provide emotional support, too.
Tasks and duties
- Helping with household tasks.
- Providing personal care support.
- Administering medication.
- Helping clients learn new skills.
- Supporting clients to start employment.
- Doing grocery shopping and preparing meals.
- Working with doctors and therapists to ensure support.
- Demonstrating and supporting new life skills, such as budgeting.
- Adjusting and adapting communication and body language to suit client needs.
- Supporting clients to develop new hobbies and interests.
- Transporting and accompanying clients to appointments.
Salary lookup
What can I earn as a Support Worker?
Find out the average salary for a Support Worker across Australia
Latest Support Worker jobs on SEEK
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How to become a Support Worker
It’s possible to work as a Support Worker without formal qualifications, however employers may prefer candidates with a relevant vocational qualification such as a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015).
- Complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33015) or a Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015) at a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
- Hold a current, unrestricted driver’s licence. Some employers may also prefer you to hold specific licence types and/or have access to a vehicle.
- Ensure you have up-to-date immunisations as required, and complete certifications and checks such as a First Aid Certificate, Working with Children Check, Police Check and/or NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Explore related qualifications
SEEK users who have worked as a Support Worker have studied these qualifications.
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Certificate III in Individual Support
This certificate gives you the skills to provide person-centred support to people who require assistance due to ageing or disability.
Bachelor of Social Work
This degree will provide you with the specialist skills and knowledge for a career as a Social Worker.
Certificate IV in Disability
This qualification provides the skills to work in the disability support industry and provide supervision to a small team.
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NDIS Worker Screening CheckFirst Aid CertificateCommunity ServicesManual HandlingManaging Challenging BehavioursDrivers LicenceVaccinationEmotional IntelligenceEmpathyTeam WorkSkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Is Support Worker the right role for me?
Job market trends for Support Workers
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Role Reviews
Latest Support Worker reviews
Latest reviews from 145 Support Workers surveyed on SEEK
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Positive
Negative
Support Worker is a job where you need a passion for caring.
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate III in Assistant in Nursing
Experience
5 – 9 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Home care
The good things
Being a support worker especially in the community, is extremely rewarding and meaningful. Most of the people who I care for now are elderly. These people want to stay in their homes for as is long as...
The challenges
There are many many challenges in this role. One of them unfortunately be that of their families. Sometimes when the family isn't supportive or helpful they can become a hindrance rather than a help. ...
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Disability support worker can be a great career if there was more opportunity to further your development
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate IV in Community Services
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Disability support worker
The good things
Supporting clients/ customers to live the way they want, and helping them making good decisions. Advocating for them when things go wrong or needs to be done for them to have basic human rights.
The challenges
Usually management not recognizing staffs achievement with positive outcomes. Can be challenging if you don't have knowledge in AOD issues and cognitive behaviors.
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Source: SEEK Role Reviews
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