In short: NDIS support workers help participants with everyday activities and getting out into the community. "Independent" support workers work directly with you rather than through a large agency, which can offer more choice and continuity. The most important things to check are that funding is in place and that workers have the right screening and checks.
What does an NDIS support worker do?
A support worker provides practical, hands-on help so you can live your life and work towards your goals. Depending on your needs, that might include:
- Help with daily activities such as personal care, meals and household tasks
- Support to get out into the community, attend appointments or take part in activities
- Building skills and confidence to do more independently over time
- Support that helps family members and carers, too
Support workers are central to many plans, including Supported Independent Living (SIL).
What are "independent" support workers?
"Independent" support workers are engaged more directly by you — for example as sole traders or through smaller arrangements — rather than being rostered by a large agency. Families often consider them because they can offer:
- More choice over who supports you, and a better personality match
- Continuity — often seeing the same worker consistently
- Flexibility in how and when support is provided
There are trade-offs to weigh, too. With more direct arrangements, more of the responsibility for checks, agreements, insurance and back-up support can sit with you, depending on how you engage the worker and how your plan is managed. Many participants use a mix of agency and independent support.
How are support workers funded under the NDIS?
Support workers are generally funded from your Core Supports budget — most often the "Assistance with Daily Life" and "Assistance with Social and Community Participation" categories. Core Supports are usually the most flexible part of a plan.
How you can engage workers depends on how your plan is managed:
- Self-managed — you have the most flexibility, including engaging independent workers, and you take on more administration
- Plan-managed — a plan manager pays providers for you, and you can usually still use non-registered workers
- NDIA-managed — you generally need to use NDIS-registered providers
If you are unsure, our guide to NDIS plan management options explains the differences, and a support coordinator can help you set things up.
Safety and quality: checks that matter
Whoever you choose, safety comes first. A key safeguard is the NDIS Worker Screening Check, run by state and territory screening units, which assesses whether a worker poses a risk to people with disability and clears or excludes them from certain roles.
When engaging support workers — especially independently — it is reasonable to confirm:
- They have a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check where required
- They have a current Working with Children Check if they support children
- They have appropriate insurance and clear agreements about hours, tasks and pay
- There is a plan for back-up support if your regular worker is unavailable
If you self-manage and decide your workers must hold a screening check, you can require this. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has clear guidance for participants on this.
How do I find support workers in Melbourne's west?
There are several ways to find support workers — through providers, support coordinators, or independent platforms. Our team supports NDIS participants across Melbourne's west, including Truganina, Tarneit, Werribee, Point Cook, Deer Park and Melton, and can help you understand your options.
To get started:
- Check your eligibility or learn about our NDIS supports
- Make a referral
- Or contact our team to talk it through — support is available in several languages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between agency and independent support workers?
Agency support workers are employed and rostered by a provider, which handles checks, insurance, supervision and back-up. Independent support workers work more directly with you, which can offer more choice and continuity, but means more responsibility for agreements, checks and back-up may sit with you, depending on how you engage them and how your plan is managed.
Which part of my NDIS plan pays for support workers?
Support workers are usually funded from your Core Supports budget, most often "Assistance with Daily Life" and "Assistance with Social and Community Participation". Core Supports are generally the most flexible part of a plan. How you can engage workers depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed.
Do independent NDIS support workers need a worker screening check?
An NDIS Worker Screening Check is required for workers in certain roles with registered providers. For unregistered or independent arrangements, a self-managed participant can decide to require that their workers hold a check. Either way, confirming a valid screening check — and a Working with Children Check where relevant — is a sensible safeguard.
Can I choose my own support workers on the NDIS?
If you are self-managed or plan-managed, you can usually choose your own support workers, including independent ones. If your plan is NDIA-managed, you generally need to use NDIS-registered providers. Your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm what applies to your plan.
How do I find a good support worker?
Look for someone whose experience and personality suit your needs, who has the right checks and insurance, and who can commit to consistent support with a back-up plan. It helps to be clear about the tasks, hours and goals up front. A support coordinator can help you find and set up workers if you would like guidance.
Are support workers covered if I am self-managed?
Yes. Self-managing your plan gives you the most flexibility to engage support workers, including independent ones, using your Core Supports budget. In return, you take on more of the administration — such as agreements, payments and record-keeping — and decide what checks you require. Our team can help you understand what is involved.
Trusted sources for further reading
- NDIS — National Disability Insurance Scheme
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission — Worker screening
- NDIS Commission — Worker screening for participants
This article is general information only and does not replace individual professional advice. NDIS funding and arrangements depend on your individual plan and circumstances. For advice about your situation, please speak with your support coordinator, plan manager or the NDIS.
