How to find reliable aged care support workers in Australia

What type of aged care worker do I need? 

The type of worker you require depends on your functional assessment and the complexity of your health needs. 

• Specialised care workers: Required for specific conditions such as dementia or palliative care. When comparing aged care support services, ensure the workers have verified experience in these sensitive areas.
• Personal care workers: These professionals hold specific certifications (like a Certificate III in Individual Support) to assist with showering, dressing, and hygiene.
• Nursing and allied health: Registered nurses or physiotherapists who provide clinical care. Note that while you can find aged care support workers for daily tasks on many platforms, clinical care often requires a provider with a clinical governance framework.
• Help around the house: Best for "help around the house," including cleaning, meal preparation, and transport. These workers focus on maintaining your independence and social connection.

Can I hire my own aged care workers?

Yes, many older Australians now choose to "self-manage" their care. Self-management involves taking an active role in choosing, scheduling, and managing the people who come into your home.

Online platforms have made it easier to find aged care support workers directly, for example:

• Hireup: A platform where workers are employees, meaning Hireup handles the tax, superannuation, and insurance. This offers a middle ground between full agency management and total independence.
• Mable: A marketplace where you connect with independent contractors. This typically requires more oversight from the recipient but offers maximum flexibility in pricing.

When you self-manage, you are responsible for comparing aged care support services to ensure the hourly rates fit within your Support at Home budget and that the workers align with your personal goals.

How do I search for local aged care workers? 

To find reliable aged care support workers near me in Australia, you should utilise official and verified search tools:

• My Aged Care Provider Finder: Use this official My Aged Care tool to find registered organisations. This is the best way to see star ratings and compliance reports for providers in your suburb.
• Self-Management Platforms: If you’d prefer to self-manage and hire your own workers, platforms like Hireup allow you to search using your postcode to see a map of available workers in your immediate area and filter by their specific skills or languages spoken.

How to ensure your safety

Safety is the highest priority when you find aged care support workers. Before booking, you should verify that the provider or platform has rigorous safeguarding in place.

Questions to ask before booking:

• "Do you have a current NDIS/Aged Care Worker Screening Check?"
• "Can you provide references from other older Australians you have supported?"
• "What is your experience with [specific need, eg, mobility aids]?"

How to check a provider’s quality

Always check the My Aged Care website to see a provider’s "Quality Indicator" rating. This 2026 reporting system shows how well a provider performs in areas like falls prevention and consumer satisfaction.

When comparing aged care support services, prioritising those with 4 or 5-star ratings ensures you are choosing a provider committed to high-compliance standards.

How do I use my aged care funding to find support? 

Understanding how to allocate your budget is essential when comparing aged care support services. In 2026, the Australian government uses three primary pathways to fund your care:

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP): Designed for older Australians who only need one or two basic services (like transport or mowing) to stay at home. It is entry-level and usually requires a small co-contribution.
• Home Care Packages (HCP): While being phased into the newer system, existing HCP recipients still use this "consumer-directed care" model to buy a range of services.
• Support at Home (SaH): The unified 2026 program that replaces HCP. It allows for more flexible, timely access to funds. Support at Home recipients can use their individualised budget to find aged care support workers for a mix of clinical, independence, and end-of-life care.

How do you know if you’re eligible for aged care support?

Under the Support at Home program, accessing support is no longer based on the old "Level 1-4" Home Care Package (HCP) system. Instead, eligibility is determined by a single assessment process managed by ACAT. 

To find aged care support workers through government-subsidised funding, older Australians must meet the following criteria:

• Age requirements: Generally 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people).
• Functional need: Assessment must show a need for help with daily tasks to continue living independently at home.
• Citizenship/Residency: Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a relevant protected Special Category Visa.

When comparing aged care support services, ensure your assessment reflects your specific classification (eg, Restorative Care, Home Support, or Complex Home Support) to unlock the appropriate funding tier. 

What are the Support at Home Program rules and standards?

The 2026 regulatory environment prioritises transparency. All aged care support services must now operate under the "Reasonable and Necessary" framework. This ensures that the funding provided to older Australians is used effectively to meet identified goals in their support plan.

Key rules include:

• Worker screening: Any individual you hire when you find aged care support workers must have a valid NDIS/Aged Care Worker Screening Check.
• Price transparency: Providers are required to publish clear hourly rates to make comparing aged care support services more straightforward for the consumer.
• Quality standards: All providers must adhere to the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, focusing on clinical safety and the dignity of the recipient.