Support workers provide support to people that helps them live their lives more independently. Support can look different from person to person, depending on their individual needs.
In this guide, we’ll explore what aged care and disability support workers do, what skills you need to become one, and how you can join Mable as an Independent Support Worker.
What does a disability support worker do?
NDIS disability support workers play a key role in ensuring people receive the support they need. Support worker duties can make a significant difference to the quality of someone’s life.
NDIS disability support workers may help clients with:
- Daily personal care to support independent living such as bathing, eating and grooming
- Achieving work or study goals
- Transport to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities
- Household tasks including cooking, cleaning and washing laundry to maintain a client’s home environment
- Companionship and social support such as learning a new skill or support to be involved in the community.
Specialised services can also be provided by NDIS support workers. These include:
- Nursing services
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology support services
It is important to note that depending on the type of support you wish to provide, you may or may not need certain qualifications. Relevant qualifications and/or experience are required to undertake personal care duties.
Read our guide to support worker duties for more information.
What does an aged care support worker do?
Aged care support workers help older people with everyday living, including cooking and cleaning, and health care. As people age, they may find it more difficult to complete tasks they earlier could. Aged care support workers can assist with these tasks, and in turn help older Australians stay independent and in their own homes for longer.
A carer's role differs greatly depending on the person's needs. In-home care for older clients can range from social support (assisting them to participate in the community, accompanying them for a coffee or a movie) to domestic assistance to nursing care.
Roles and responsibilities of workers in aged care:
- Helping around the home
- Providing personal care (for example, help with showering and dressing)
- Assisting with travel and transport
- Helping with meal preparation
- Providing in-home nursing
- Providing dementia support
- Providing overnight support
- Providing post-hospital support
- Assisting with community participation
- Providing respite for carers.
Find out more about what in-home aged care support can look like.
What skills do I need to be an aged care or NDIS disability support worker?
Being a support worker can be a highly rewarding yet demanding career. A passion and dedication to maximising the quality of life of those receiving your support is essential. Personal qualities like respect, honesty, flexibility and communication skills give support workers a well-rounded base to connect with clients.
It also helps to be patient and have an understanding, supportive and caring nature – empathy goes a long way!
The NDIS Workforce Capability Framework is a great resource for disability support workers.
Qualifications
You do not need qualifications to provide social support and domestic assistance. However, if you want to provide more complex care, you may need certain qualifications and experience.
Qualifications can range from certificates and vocational qualifications to diplomas and university degrees.
Read our guide to support worker qualifications and requirements for more information.
Working on Mable as an aged care or disability support worker
You can work as an independent support worker on Mable by registering on the platform.
In order to begin providing support, there are minimum requirements you need to complete, such as an NDIS Worker Screening Check, reference checks, and, depending on the care you wish to provide, qualifications.
Learn more about onboarding requirements on the Mable website.
Police checks have been replaced by the NDIS Worker Screening Check. This is a mandatory requirement for all support workers on Mable. New support workers signing up to Mable require an NDIS Worker Screening Check. Existing Mable support workers may use their existing checks until they are expired, at which time they must provide an NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Why become an independent support worker on Mable?
Flexibility
Working as an independent support worker on Mable is a rewarding experience. The flexibility it provides allows you to live your kind of independence, all while making an impact on other people’s lives.
As you are an independent sole trader running your own business, you get to:
- Choose who you work with
- Choose the hours you work
- Choose what you charge for your services
Benefits
Being an independent support worker on Mable also unlocks a range of benefits.
These include:
- Mable Learning Hub: Access 170+ free courses available on demand, so you can expand your industry knowledge and grow professionally.
- Insurance: Every session booked on Mable comes with insurance to cover the support worker's actions while providing your care.
- Mable Wellbeing Platform: Access free and confidential counselling 24/7 through the our Wellbeing Platform.
Find out more about the benefits of joining Mable as a support worker.
What do I need to become a support worker on Mable?
To join Mable and create a support worker account, you will need the following:
- An Australian Business Number (ABN)
- A profile photo
- A brief bio for your profile
- An NDIS Worker Screening Check, applied and conducted through your state authority (from July 2025, the NDIS Worker Screening Check has replaced police checks as a mandatory requirement for support workers signing up to Mable)
- Two professional or character references
- A Working with Children Check (if working with children)
- An Australian Drivers Licence (if providing transport services)
- Completed infection control training
- To meet your state and/or territory’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
If you’ve set up your account correctly, it will be submitted for approval to our team.
Get started as a support worker on Mable today!