What to Look for in an NDIS Support Worker

A good support worker can change a participant's week; a poor match can make it harder. Here is what to look for, what to check and how to tell within a month whether it is working.

The non-negotiables

• A current NDIS Worker Screening Check and, for children, a Working With Children Check.
• First aid and CPR, plus training specific to your needs: manual handling, medication, epilepsy, PEG feeding, positive behaviour support.
• Employment through a provider that holds insurance and follows the NDIS Code of Conduct. Registered providers are also audited against the Practice Standards.

The qualities that matter most

• Reliability. Turning up on time, every time, is the foundation of trust.
• Respect for choice. The participant decides. A good worker asks, offers options and supports risk-taking rather than overriding it.
• Communication. Clear, patient and adapted to how you communicate, whether that is speech, a device or pictures.
• Empathy without pity. Warmth and a sense of humour, with high expectations.
• Boundaries. Professional about money, social media and personal relationships.
• Curiosity. Interest in your goals and willingness to learn new things with you.

Questions to ask

1. What experience do you have with people with similar needs to mine?
2. How would you handle a situation where I want to do something you think is risky?
3. What would you do if I had a meltdown or a seizure?
4. How do you write shift notes and share them?
5. Are you available at the times I need, and what happens when you are sick?

What a good first month looks like

The worker learns your routine and preferences without being told twice. You feel more capable, not more managed. Notes are written and shared. Problems are raised early and fixed. If that is not happening, say so; a good provider will try a different match without fuss.

For the bigger picture, including registration, red flags and 15 questions for providers, read How to choose an NDIS provider in 2026.