Care type
Disability and NDIS support
Disability support in Australia is built around a person's own goals. This guide covers what support workers do, how plan management shapes your options, and how to find someone who genuinely fits.
Written and reviewed by the My Caregiver editorial team · Last reviewed September 2026 · Editorial policy
What disability support looks like day to day
Support work is broader than personal care. Depending on the person's goals, a worker might help with getting ready in the morning, then spend the rest of the shift on things that have nothing to do with the body at all — getting to TAFE, practising public transport, cooking together, going to the gym, or holding a job down.
- Daily living — personal care, meal preparation, household tasks.
- Community participation — social activities, sport, classes, volunteering.
- Capacity building — learning skills that reduce the need for support over time.
- Transport — getting to work, study, appointments and activities.
- Overnight and high-intensity support — where assessed as needed, sometimes requiring specific training.
How plan management changes your options
For NDIS participants, the way a plan is managed is the single biggest factor in who you can hire.
- Agency-managed — the scheme pays providers directly, and you use registered providers.
- Plan-managed — a plan manager handles invoices, and you can generally use both registered and unregistered providers.
- Self-managed — you manage the budget and payments yourself, with the widest choice and the most administration.
Check current NDIS rules before you commit funding
Choosing a support worker
Match on the things that matter
- Experience with the specific supports needed, not just 'disability support' generally
- Communication style and shared interests — the fit drives the outcome
- Worker screening and any qualifications relevant to the role
- Reliability: consistent availability at the times in your routine
- Comfort with your household — pets, family, culture, language
- Willingness to work towards goals rather than simply doing things for the person
- Clear boundaries and a written agreement covering hours, rates and cancellations
Wherever possible, the person receiving support should lead the interview. Our question checklist works well as a starting script.
Registered and unregistered providers
Registered providers meet scheme registration requirements and are subject to associated oversight. Unregistered providers and independent workers can offer more flexibility and sometimes lower rates, but you take on more of the checking and administration yourself. Neither is automatically better — it depends on how your plan is managed and how much administration you want to carry.
Common questions
What is the difference between a caregiver and a disability support worker?
In practice the tasks overlap. 'Support worker' is the standard term in disability services and reflects a focus on supporting a person to live the life they choose, not only on personal care. If you are searching for NDIS-funded help, 'support worker' will return more relevant results than 'caregiver'.
Can I choose my own support worker under the NDIS?
Choice and control are central to the scheme, but how much choice you have depends on how your plan is managed. Self-managed and plan-managed participants generally have the widest choice, including independent workers. Agency-managed plans are limited to registered providers.
Do support workers need worker screening?
Worker screening requirements apply to many disability support roles and are administered by states and territories. Ask any worker or provider what screening they hold and check the requirements that apply where you live rather than relying on a listing description.
What if a support worker is not a good match?
Say so early. A mismatch in communication style, interests or approach affects outcomes far more than a difference in years of experience. Most providers expect to trial a match and change it if it is not working.
Last reviewed September 2026. General information only — not medical, legal or financial advice, and not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.