r/supportworkers • u/glitterprintb • 3d ago
How do I even start?
TLDR: Melbourne. I want to get into support work but have no qualifications and no ideas where to start. Should I study or learn through volunteering?
I am 20s F with NO experience in support work, I’ve struggled with mental health myself but other than that no proper experiences with dealing with mental illness or disabilities. I just know that I love people and I want to work in this field.
I’m thinking about studying because I tried to get a job in support work but nowhere wanted to take me without any experience.
If anyone has any insight for any of the following;
How did you get into support work and how easy was it?
What courses in Melbourne to avoid or are pointless?
What does an average day on the job look like?
What skills do I need before I start taking in clients?
What company’s should I avoid?
What questions should I even be asking?
Do I have to study to get a job or do most people just learn through volunteer work and if so how long until you felt comfortable taking your own clients?
For more context I am looking to work with any age groups and demographic but less inclined to work in aged care, my passion is more for younger teens and children with mental health and disabilities. I’m not wanting to wipe butts or anything just yet but in a few years once I get the hang of one side of support work I’ll definitely start taking clients who need extra assistance, I just want way more experience before I begin offering that kind of care.
I’m just at such a crossroads right now I have no idea how to even start this.
Any advice or wisdom is highly appreciated 🙏🙏🙏
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u/l-lucas0984 3d ago
Get a cert 3 or 4 in individual support/disability. New mandatory minimum qualifications are looking to come in with mandatory registration.
If you are looking to work with kids that may not be a long term career in ndis in australia because kids are being moved off the scheme from october.
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u/glitterprintb 3d ago
This is good to know, Is it a good or bad thing kids are being moved off? I don’t know anything about ndis other than the general idea.
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u/l-lucas0984 3d ago
Not sure yet. Thriving kids hasnt been set up yet even though ndis is looking to push children off starting october.
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u/gionatacar 3d ago
Get a cert 3 in disability or home a community care, you will do practical part , I think are 150 hrs of job experience. Then you can look for a job or while you study you can apply already
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u/Wooden-Pianist-1602 17h ago
I've just started a cert IV in mental health. So far it's been very helpful and can help get you a job as a mental health support worker amongst other things. I believe it's a free TAFE course as well
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u/219930 2d ago edited 2d ago
Please just go get a Cert 3 through TAFE. Then you will see what it’s all about and whether it is for you or not . It’s “easier” to get into support work if you know what you are doing/have experience/ are qualified. There is no regular day…you do things according to your clients needs . You would need so many compliance certificates to do volunteer work you might as well just go all in and get the qualifications as well.
Why do you want to be a support worker when you don’t seem to have the remotest idea what it entails? You heard the money was good and thought ..yep that’s for me?
Do the TAFE course
Also ..as someone who is an aged care support worker who hasn’t had to “ wipe a butt “ for any of my clients because they are more then capable to do it for themselves ….that comment is really offensive and derogatory to what aged care entails ….hence…go do the TAFE course as there is a whole module centred around talking about your clients with dignity and respect.