Finding the right support worker or team of workers can have a big impact on your ability to live a full life and achieve your goals.
Support workers become part of your crew. While they’re paid to assist with your disability-related support needs, chances are you’ll spend a lot of time together so it’s important to have support workers that you get along with and trust.
Support workers can be individual contractors or employed by an organisation that offers a range of disability-related services.
What support workers can do.
Support workers can assist with a range of tasks including:
- Personal care such as showering, dressing and eating
- Moving around at home or in the community
- Participation in work, community or volunteering or activities
- Household tasks like cooking, cleaning and laundry
- Driving you to appointments or assisting you to use public transport
- Learning new skills.
Funding support workers with your NDIS Plan.
Support workers are funded through different categories in an NDIS Plan depending on the purpose of the support and your goals.
Core supports – Assistance with Daily Life
- Covers everyday activities such as personal care, meal preparation and help around the home
- This funding is flexible so you can choose how to use it based on your needs.
Core supports – Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
- May fund a support worker to assist you to participate in community activities, volunteering or at work, individually or in small groups
- Can cover transport to and from the activity, help with on-the-job support or assistance with personal care while you’re out
- Transport to and from activities when a support worker is also supporting your participation in the activity
- Does not generally cover the cost of classes, courses, tickets or meals.
Capacity Building Supports – Increased Social and Community Participation
- Helps build independence and the ability to engage in the community
- Support workers may help you to develop social skills or teach you how to use public transport
- Less flexible than Core funding and must be used as outlined in your plan.
How to choose the right support worker.
1. Have a wish list.
Write down your support needs such as those above. Write a second list of what you’re looking for in a support worker such as a friendly personality, a drivers licence or certain skills. These lists can come in handy when talking to support workers or companies that supply them.
2. Consult your network.
Ask friends, trusted providers or other people in your network for recommendations. Note that you can’t use NDIS funding to hire a family member as a support worker.
3. Chat before hiring someone.
Take time to interview potential support workers by phone, email or in person. Ask about their experience, qualifications and interests to see if you’ll get along.
4. Check if they have flexible schedules.
Some providers require NDIS participants to commit to a minimum number of hours per week. Be sure to choose a provider that is flexible enough for your needs.
5. Build your team.
A team of support workers with different skills may suit you better than relying on one person. It also means you have a backup if someone is sick or unavailable.
6. NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Ensure the support worker has completed an NDIS Worker Screening Check. Details of screening checks are recorded in the national NDIS Worker Screening database which can be accessed by registered and unregistered providers as well as self managed participants.
7. Develop a Service Agreement.
We recommend developing a Service Agreement with each support worker. A Service Agreement sets out the expectations on both sides in writing including the types of services you will receive, costs and cancellation policies.
8. Check for compliance actions.
The NDIS records information about any actions taken against providers if they have failed to meet the NDIS Code of Conduct. Check this list before engaging a new service provider.
Getting the most flexibility from your NDIS Plan.
It’s common for people to find a support worker and really connect with them. So, it’s important to structure your NDIS Plan in a way that allows you to engage the right individual or team.
The way your NDIS Plan is managed matters:
- Agency managed: You can only use NDIS registered support workers
- Plan managed or a combination plan of Agency managed and plan management: Use your plan managed budget to fund registered and unregistered support workers.
This flexibility can make a big difference, especially in areas with fewer providers or high demand.
What to do if you don’t have funding for support workers in your NDIS Plan.
If you don’t currently have funding for support workers, there are steps you can take:
Review your current plan. If you have Core funding, you may be able to use it flexibly for support workers
Gather supporting evidence. If you don’t have existing funding, prepare for updating your NDIS plan. Supporting evidence can include letters from allied health professionals or your GP showing why the support is reasonable, necessary and connected to your disability
Request a plan reassessment. If your needs have changed, let the NDIS know. This may trigger a review and lead to an updated plan
Update your goals. Before your plan reassessment, consider updating your goals to include those that relate to daily living, independence, social or community participation, or employment.
Need help navigating your plan?
Leap in! can help you make the most of your NDIS funding, understand your options and connect with the right support workers. Contact us via our website (online chat available), call us on 1300 05 78 78 or email us at [email protected].
Originally published 24 July 2020, updated 8 September 2021 and 14 August 2025.
