Nursing training for support workers
NDIS support
Training delivered by a nurse so support workers can safely carry out specific health-related tasks for the person they support.
The short answer
Nursing training teaches support workers how to carry out specific health-related tasks safely for the person they support. It is delivered by a nurse and is usually tailored to the individual.
About Nursing training for support workers
Some tasks that support workers help with have a health element, such as managing certain medications, assisting with feeding tubes, using suction or responding to seizures. Doing these tasks safely needs specific skills, which is why training from a nurse is important.
Training is usually individual. A nurse looks at the person's health plan, teaches the worker how to carry out each task for that person, watches them do it and confirms they are competent. The worker follows a written plan, and there is a process for emergencies and for updating the training when the person's health changes.
Providers should keep records of who has been trained, in what and when, and arrange refreshers. If you are choosing a provider, ask how they make sure workers are competent for the tasks you need and what happens if a trained worker is not available.
Who is this service for?
Support workers and providers who need training from a nurse in specific health-related tasks for the person they support.
What a typical session looks like
A nurse who trains support workers starts by looking at the person's health needs and the tasks the workers will do, such as help with medication, catheter care, wound care or managing a health condition. They then teach the workers step by step, usually in the person's own home, using the person's actual equipment and routines.
Training includes showing, practising and checking. The nurse watches the worker do the task, gives feedback and signs them off only when they are competent. Written instructions are left in the home, and follow-up visits check that the skills have stayed sharp, particularly when a task is rare or the person's health changes.
Who delivers this support
The training is delivered by registered nurses, often with experience in community or disability nursing. Support workers who receive the training need to be willing, able and supervised. Ask how the nurse assesses competence, how often the training is refreshed and who is responsible if a new worker joins the team.
How to choose a provider
- Ask who delivers the training and what their qualifications are.
- Find out how the provider checks that workers are competent.
- Ask how often training is refreshed and when the plan is updated.
- Check how records are kept.
- Ask what happens if the trained worker is away.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will the nurse teach and check each task?
- Will the training take place in my home with my equipment?
- How do you decide when a worker is competent to work alone?
- How often is the training refreshed?
- What happens when a new worker joins my team?
- What are the limits of what support workers can do, and when does a nurse need to step in?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a worker who has done a task elsewhere can safely do it for you without training.
- Not training back-up workers, so there are gaps when the usual worker is away.
- Letting training lapse, so skills fade.
- Not keeping written instructions where workers can see them.
- Asking workers to do tasks beyond what they have been trained and cleared for.
Getting started
- Ask your nurse or doctor to write down the tasks and how they are done.
- Arrange training for each worker who will carry them out.
- Keep written plans where workers can find them.
- Review the training whenever your health or the plan changes.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Nursing training makes it possible for support workers to carry out certain health-related tasks safely, so that the person can be supported by a familiar team. It sits alongside community nursing, medication assistance and personal care. For people with complex health needs, it helps to build up a team of workers who share the same skills.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Nursing training for support workers if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Nursing training for support workers depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Nursing training for support workers that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Nursing providers on the NDIS register
8,227 NDIS providers list nursing supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing nursing
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
- 13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
- 13 Health Service Organisation - VIC; includes Donnybrook, VIC
- 13homecare - NSW; includes Doonside, NSW
See all 8,227 nursing providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (2,692)
- Victoria (2,375)
- Queensland (1,539)
- South Australia (857)
- Western Australia (812)
- Australian Capital Territory (207)
- Tasmania (156)
- Northern Territory (156)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (407)
- Melbourne, VIC (330)
- Sydney, NSW (246)
- Perth, WA (205)
- Central Coast, NSW (197)
- Adelaide, SA (185)
- Blacktown, NSW (169)
- Parramatta, NSW (155)
- Ipswich, QLD (140)
- Geelong, VIC (127)
- Tarneit, VIC (127)
- Canberra, ACT (125)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
- Nurse Next Door Canberra - 189 areas
- Huge Care - 188 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Personal training
- Training for carers and parents
- Assistance animal training and assessment
- Assistance animal upkeep
Frequently asked questions
Why do support workers need nursing training?
Some health-related tasks need specific skills. A nurse can train workers to carry them out safely for the person they support and check that they can do them competently.
Who trains support workers in nursing tasks?
A registered nurse with relevant experience, often tailored to the individual person. Training is usually reviewed and updated when needs change.
Is the training the same for every person?
No. Tasks and risks differ from person to person, so training is usually specific to the individual and their health plan.
Do workers need training for every task?
They need training for tasks that carry health risks. A nurse can advise which tasks need it.
Can family also be trained?
Yes. Family members often receive the same training so they can help safely.
How do I know a worker is trained?
Ask the provider for confirmation and check that training is recorded.
Why does a worker need specific training for my care?
Every person's needs and equipment are different, and small differences can matter for safety. Training shows the worker how to do the task for you, and confirms they can do it correctly.
Who is responsible if a trained worker makes a mistake?
Responsibility is shared across the provider, the worker and the health professionals involved, which is why clear training, supervision and records matter. Ask the provider about its policies.
Can family members receive the same training?
Often yes, and it is useful because it means care can continue when workers are not available. Ask the nurse whether family can be included.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Nursing training for support workers?
If Nursing training for support workers is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Nursing training for support workers provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
- AHPRA: check a health practitioner's registration
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.