Local community noticeboards
Check your local supermarket or community centre for carers advertising their support.
Finding your
support team
Finding workers depends on where you live. If you're
in the city, it’s generally easier but there are plenty of
ways to connect with the right people that suits your
needs even in remote areas.
If you’re self-managing your Home Care Package, you are responsible for engaging with providers to give you the supports and services that match your Support Plan and budget. We don't advertise or interview on the behalf of clients, and it's up to you to source workers and contractors that you want to engage. Our role then as the provider, is to verify the support worker you’ve chosen and do our due diligence to make sure that your support team will and are capable of taking care of your needs.
You as the client are responsible for determining where, when, who and for how long you receive supports as agreed in your Support Plan and budget. When you first meet with a support worker, you should discuss the types of support that you require and determine whether they're able to assist. You need to be prepared as well to have a Plan B if someone is unable to make a shift.
Here's a few handy tips to assist you on your way.
Advertising and interviewing workers
When looking for support workers, you should consider:
- If they have all the requirements to be verified by PlanCare (see here)
- How much experience do they have of working with older people?
- What tasks will be required of them?
- What’s their expected rate per hour for weekdays, weekends and after hours?
- If you have additional qualifications or training you’d like your support provider to have beyond what PlanCare requires
- Whether you have specific needs around the gender, cultural, linguistic or religious background of the person
- If you have pets, are they comfortable working around animals?
Where do I find a provider?
Finding workers depends on where you live. If you're in the city, it's generally easier but there are plenty of ways to connect with the right people even in remote areas. Here are some options to give you an idea:
Online resource
platforms
Explore resource platforms, where you can view profiles, read reviews, and connect with workers who suits your needs.
Aged Care
Facebook groups
You could also try NDIS and disability specific groups too, as many workers and contractors work in both sectors.
Local newspapers
Some workers still advertise in print, so keep an eye out!
Through word
of mouth
Ask around friends, family, or people in the community if they know someone with the right qualifications and has availability!
Through your
current supports
For example, your therapy team.
See our other blogpost about services and providers you can choose from here
OK, I've found someone - now what?
So you've found someone you want to be your provider - that’s great!
Now you need to send their contact details plus agreed rates through to your Co-Care Partner. Your Co-Care Partner will check to make sure the support is included in your support plan, and update your budget. They will then let our Verification Team know to commence verifying your provider.
Your workers and contractors will additionally need to provide:
- Contact details (full name, email and phone number)
- Valid police clearance (less than 3 years old with no adverse findings)
- Valid ABN
- Certificate of currency for public liability insurance (minimum $5m)
- Proof of qualification
- Signed contractor agreement
If you want to know more about what the verification process entails and qualifications your supports need to have depending on your needs, you can read about it in our provider verification blog post. When your provider has completed the verification process, we will notify you and your provider that services can commence and provide them with some further information.
Additional tips
It is up to you to choose a schedule that suits you and your provider. However:
- You should ensure that you have enough workers to fill the shifts you need, and plan ahead for when your worker might be unavailable. It is a good idea to have one or two 'back up' workers, that you are familiar with in case one of your regular workers is unavailable or goes on holidays.
- You also need to ensure that you have enough funding in your Home Care Package to cover these supports. If not, you’ll need to pay this out of pocket. If you are in doubt you will need to contact your Co-Care Partner.
At PlanCare, we don’t lock you into one platform or list to look for support providers. This means you get more choice and control over who and where you source your support team. If you’re self-managing your Home Care Package you’re free to pick and choose whoever suits you best from wherever you are - whether you live in the city or if you live in a remote area!
If self-managing your Home Care Package feels like too much, why not try full management? With the support of a dedicated Co-Care Partner, we'll take care of everything for you, including finding the right providers, managing your paperwork, budgeting, and ensuring compliance, while still keeping you in control of your care.
If you have any questions, big or small, we are here to assist you to further understand if self-managing your Home Care Package is right for you. Give our friendly team a call at 1800 024 000 or book a free Explainer Session.