Why start a career in individual support?
Starting a career in individual support brings so many benefits, not just to you, but the lives you’re helping through your work. Some of the top benefits include:
- Making a real impact, changing people’s lives for the better.
- Strong job growth, with a shortage in qualified support workers, especially in aged care and disability services meaning more opportunities than ever before.
- Quick entry in the field, with qualifications attainable in just 35 weeks.
- Flexible work options, with options for full-time, part-time and casual roles, as well as the choice to work independently as a contractor or freelancer.
- Ongoing career progression, moving into roles such as care coordinator, team leader or further study options to transition into allied health or nursing.
Individual Support Worker Salaries in Australia
How much do individual support workers get paid?
Wages for individual support workers in Australia are regulated under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award), and can vary depending on your role, level and employment type.
- Entry-level award rates start at around $25.41 per hour for weekday shifts, potentially increasing to $50+ per hour on Sundays, or even more for public holidays.
- Experienced workers can earn between $65,000 to $85,000+ per year, especially in leadership or coordinator roles.
- Penalty rates and allowances can significantly boost your earning potential for working weekends, evenings or overnight shifts.
And to think these are roles without university degrees.
How much do independent support workers get paid?
Independent support workers are sole traders, working in contract or freelance roles, or for their own business. While these typically pay higher, it’s important to note you’ll need to cover your own tax, super, insurance and admin costs.
Recent figures show independent contractors earn at least 14% more than employee-based roles. Keep in mind, you can generally set your own rates, although these may depend on the type of work, such as working under NDIS support terms.
How much can support workers charge NDIS?
How much support workers can charge NDIS depends on the time of day and the service provider, as well as the level. According to recent NDIS documentation, this can look like:
- $67.56 for weekdays, between 6:00am to 8:00pm
- $74;44 for weekday evenings, between 8:00pm to midnight
- $95.07 for Saturdays
- $122.59 for Sundays
- $150.10 for public holidays
These rates are higher for high-intensity support.
How to Become an Individual Support Worker
You’ll need a nationally recognised qualification, such as a CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support to get started as an individual support worker. There are also specialisations in ageing and disability support work to work with specific groups. You may also need a National Police Check, Working With Children Check, First Aid Certificate and sometimes manual handling or infection control training, depending on the role.
Aurora Training can help provide flexible training and course options to kickstart your career in individual support. Learn more or enquire today about our next online or on-campus intakes.
