Real talk from support workers who made the switch

If you've been a support worker for a while, you already know the feeling. You show up. Every single day. You help someone get dressed in the morning, share a laugh over a cup of tea, hold a hand when things are hard. You give a lot of yourself - and most of the time, you wouldn't trade it for anything. But somewhere between the long shifts, the confusing payslips, and the rosters you had zero say in? It starts to wear on you. Not the caring part. Never that. The system part. That's exactly how Ema felt - and why she made the switch to CareVicinity.

Ema's Story: Four Years as a Support Worker in Brisbane

Ema has been an independent support worker in Brisbane for four years. She works with aged care clients and people living with disability - people she genuinely loves showing up for. "The clients were never the problem," she'll tell you. "It was everything around the job that made it hard."

For years, Ema worked through a traditional support worker agency. On paper, it sounded secure. In practice? She had little say over who she worked with or when. Her roster was handed to her. Chasing payments was a part-time job. And when she had questions or problems, she often felt like just another name on a list.

"I remember waiting weeks for a payment that should have taken days. When I finally got someone on the phone, I felt like I was bothering them just by asking."

She stayed because she thought that was just how it worked. Until a colleague mentioned CareVicinity.

"I Didn't Think a Support Worker Platform Could Actually Be Different"

Ema signed up out of curiosity more than anything. Within a week, she realised this wasn't the same experience at all.

She built her profile, listed the services she offered, and started browsing support worker jobs in Brisbane. For the first time, she could read about a client's needs before applying - and decide if it was a good fit for her too. She set her own rate. She picked her own hours.

"It sounds simple, but being able to say 'yes, I want to work with this person' instead of just being assigned someone - that changed everything for me. I started caring even more, because I actually wanted to be there."

Why Support Workers Across Australia Are Choosing CareVicinity

Here's what Ema - and thousands of support workers across Australia - found on the other side:

You're in control of your work. Browse local aged care and disability support job opportunities, filter by location and service type, and connect with clients directly. No one hands you a roster. You choose.

You set your own rate. CareVicinity charges a simple 12.5% platform fee - one of the lowest of any support worker platform in Australia. The rest is yours. No agency skimming off the top and leaving you wondering where your money went.

Payments that actually make sense. Log your shift, and CareVicinity handles the invoicing with funding providers on your behalf. The money lands in your account - without the chasing, the confusion, or the waiting around.

Insurance on every shift, without the paperwork. Every approved and invoiced shift comes with comprehensive insurance coverage built in. You're protected - and you don't have to do anything extra to make it happen.

A team that actually picks up the phone. From the moment you sign up to the day-to-day questions that come up along the way, CareVicinity's support team is genuinely there. Not as a voicemail box. As real people who know your name.

What Ema Says Now

Six months after making the switch to CareVicinity, Ema's diary is full - on her terms. She works with aged care and disability clients she connected with herself. She gets paid on time. And when she has a question, she gets an answer.

"I spent four years thinking this was just what the job was like. I wish someone had told me sooner that it didn't have to be. If you're sitting on the fence, just try it. You'll wonder why you waited."

Does Ema's Story Sound Like Yours?

If any part of Ema's experience sounds familiar - the feeling of being overlooked, the slow payments, the roster you didn't choose - you're not alone. And more importantly, it doesn't have to stay that way.

CareVicinity is an Australian support worker platform built for people like you. People who care deeply about what they do and deserve a platform that cares just as deeply about them.

How to Join CareVicinity as an Independent Support Worker

Getting started is simple. All you need is:

• An ABN (free to register at abr.gov.au)

• A current police check

• Two professional references

That's it. Create your profile, browse support worker jobs near you, and start building a career that actually fits your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is CareVicinity and how does it work for support workers? 
A: CareVicinity is an Australian platform that connects independent support workers directly with people who need care. You create a profile, browse jobs in your area, agree on rates and hours with your client, deliver care, and get paid - all through one simple platform. 

Q: What is the difference between working through an agency and using CareVicinity? A: With a traditional agency, your clients and shifts are assigned to you and the agency takes a significant cut of your earnings. With CareVicinity, you choose your own clients, set your own rates, and work the hours that suit you - with a simple 12.5% platform fee, one of the lowest in Australia. 

Q: Do I need qualifications to become a support worker on CareVicinity? 
A: To get started you need an ABN, a current police check, and two professional references. Depending on the type of care you provide - such as personal care, nursing or allied health -additional qualifications may be required.

Ready to Make the Switch? Get in Touch Today

Call us: 1300 905 424 
Email: hello@carevicinity.com.au
Visit: carevicinity.com.au 

Because your work matters. And so do you.

CareVicinity acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and communities where we live, learn and work.