Support Worker

Independence World; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above SCHADS casual rates

Immediate start available

Flexible rostering to support work/lif

Balanced, supportive leadership

Ongoing paid training opportunities

Opportunities to develop your skills

Diverse participant needs

User-friendly rostering & comms

Job summary

Independence World is expanding its Cairns team and seeking compassionate Support Workers who want to make a real difference. Immediate start available for locals who can start work locally and bring the right attitude.

Whether you’re experienced or exploring the disability sector, we’d love to hear from you. We offer above SCHADS casual rates, flexible rostering and ongoing paid training to help you grow your skills.

Qualifications

• Genuinely enjoy working with and supporting people.
• Reliable and understand that people are counting on you.
• Empathetic, patient and respectful.
• Can adapt when plans change.
• Communicate well and build rapport naturally.
• Willing to learn and receive feedback.
• Understand the importance of professional boundaries.
• Want to be part of a team that takes pride in providing great support.
• NDIS clearance and valid checks are preferred but not always essential.

Responsibilities

• Getting out and about in the community.
• Social support and companionship.
• Helping with shopping, appointments or everyday activities.
• Supporting someone to build confidence and independence.
• Domestic assistance and meal preparation.
• Personal care.
• Medication assistance.
• Transport.
• Hoist transfers and manual handling.
• Higher-care support, with appropriate training.

Skills

Empathy

Reliability

Adaptability

Active listening

Communication

Education

NDIS Worker Screening Clearance

Blue Card / WWCC

First Aid & CPR

Driver’s Licence (Australian)

Job description

Support Worker | Great People Wanted – Experience Isn’t Everything

Looking for a role where who you are matters just as much as what’s on your résumé?

At Independence World, we believe great Support Workers aren’t defined by years of experience.

They’re kind. Reliable. Adaptable. They genuinely care about people. They know how to listen, build trust, have a laugh and show up when it matters.

The skills can be taught. The right attitude is something you bring.

We’re growing our team across Cairns and surrounding areas and are looking for great people who want to make a genuine difference in the lives of others.

We have opportunities available for an immediate start and are currently seeking applicants who already live in Cairns or the surrounding area and are ready to commence work locally.

Whether you’re an experienced Support Worker or considering bringing your skills into the disability sector for the first time, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join Independence World?

• Above SCHADS Award casual rates
• Immediate start available
• Flexible rostering to support work/life balance
• A supportive and approachable leadership team
• A positive, down-to-earth team culture
• Ongoing paid and free training opportunities
• Opportunities to develop your skills and experience
• A diverse range of participants and support needs
• Easy-to-use rostering and communication systems

What does a Support Worker actually do?

No two participants and no two days are the same.

Depending on the person you’re supporting, your day might involve:

• Getting out and about in the community
• Social support and companionship
• Helping with shopping, appointments or everyday activities
• Supporting someone to build confidence and independence
• Domestic assistance and meal preparation
• Personal care
• Medication assistance
• Transport
• Hoist transfers and manual handling
• Higher-care support, with appropriate training

You don’t need to have experience in every area. We provide training and support to help the right people develop their skills.

Who are we looking for?

You might already be an experienced Support Worker or you might come from a completely different background.

What matters most to us is that you:

• Genuinely enjoy working with and supporting people
• Are reliable and understand that people are counting on you
• Are empathetic, patient and respectful
• Can adapt when plans change
• Communicate well and build rapport naturally
• Are willing to learn and receive feedback
• Understand the importance of professional boundaries
• Want to be part of a team that takes pride in providing great support

Experience in disability, aged care, community services or healthcare is welcomed but it isn’t the only thing we look for.

If you’ve worked in hospitality, childcare, education, customer service or another people-focused role, you may already have many of the qualities that make an exceptional Support Worker.

What you'll need

To work independently with participants, you'll need:

• To currently reside in Cairns or the surrounding area and be available to commence locally
• NDIS Worker Screening Clearance (Yellow Card)
• Blue Card / Working with Children Check
• Current First Aid & CPR
• Current Australian Driver’s Licence
• A reliable vehicle with comprehensive insurance

Qualifications in Individual Support, Disability, Aged Care or Community Services are highly regarded but are not essential.

If you’re the right person but still working towards some of the required checks or training, we still encourage you to apply.

Why Independence World?

We’re not interested in simply filling shifts.

We want to build a team of great people who genuinely connect with the participants they support and feel valued for the work they do.

Independence World was built on lived experience and a belief that disability support should be personal, empowering and delivered with heart.

So, if you’ve ever thought "I think I’d be really good at that" but haven’t applied because you don’t have years of disability experience, this could be your sign.

Bring the right attitude. Bring your personality. Bring your willingness to learn.