What checks and documents do independent aged care workers need? 

Choosing an independent aged care worker can give you more say over who supports you at home. You may already know a reliable cleaner, gardener or support worker, or you may want to find someone whose experience, language or availability suits you. 

Under self-managed Support at Home, however, an independent worker cannot simply begin providing government-funded services. Your registered provider must agree to the arrangement, complete the necessary checks and engage the person as a third-party worker. 

Your registered Support at Home provider remains responsible for the safety and quality of every funded service you receive, including services delivered by an independent or third-party worker. 

The provider needs enough information to confirm that the worker is suitable for the role, can provide the approved service safely and meets relevant aged care requirements. The exact onboarding process will depend on the type of service and the provider’s requirements. 

An aged care worker will generally need one of the following: 

A provider cannot allow someone to work in aged care if they do not meet the applicable screening requirements. 

Registered providers are also expected to check whether a prospective worker appears on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s banning order register. 

Further checks may apply depending on the service, the worker’s role and relevant state or territory requirements. 

Your provider may ask the worker for: 

Not every worker will need every document. For example, the requirements for a gardener may differ from those for a personal care worker, physiotherapist or registered nurse. 

Yes. Workers need the skills, experience and qualifications required for the service they provide. 

Clinical and allied health services must be delivered by appropriately qualified professionals working within their scope of practice. This may include checking registration with the relevant professional body. 

For non-clinical services, providers still need to confirm that the worker can perform the role safely and competently. Registered providers must maintain records of workers’ pre-employment checks, contact details, qualifications and experience. 

Independent workers may need to follow the registered provider’s procedures for care notes, privacy, incidents, complaints and service delivery. They may also need to understand your care plan, agreed tasks and any risks relevant to the service. 

The service itself must be included in your support plan, appear on the Support at Home service list and fit within your available budget. 

At Leora Healthcare, we can discuss the independent workers you would like to include in your self-managed aged care arrangement. 

We will explain what information is needed, review the worker against the requirements relevant to their role and confirm whether the service can be funded through your Support at Home plan. If the arrangement cannot be approved, we will explain why and help you consider suitable alternatives. 

Talk to Leora about keeping or choosing trusted workers while maintaining the safety and oversight required under Support at Home.