Since the introduction of the Support at Home program, Aged Care providers have had to adapt to new legislation, responsibilities and quality expectations. For providers delivering care in people’s homes and communities, having a suitably skilled and supported workforce is an important part of meeting these Support at Home training requirements.
But what training do Support at Home providers actually need?
The answer isn’t as simple as one mandatory Support at Home training course. Providers must ensure their workers have the appropriate skills, qualifications, experience and training for the work they perform, while also supporting ongoing learning and development. And that’s where Skill Centre Australia can help organisations build confident, capable workforces.
What are the Support at Home training requirements?
The Support at Home training requirements are designed around ensuring workers are appropriately skilled and able to provide safe, respectful and competent care.
Under the new aged care regulatory framework, registered providers have workforce obligations covering worker qualifications and training, worker screening, the Aged Care Code of Conduct, and ongoing skills development. Providers must also take reasonable steps to ensure workers understand and comply with the Code of Conduct.
This means providers should look beyond simply completing an induction. Training should reflect the worker’s role and responsibilities, the needs of the older people they support, the services being delivered, the worker’s scope of practice, relevant risks and clinical requirements, changes to legislation, standards and workplace procedures and ongoing professional development requirements
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission also expects providers to regularly review workers’ training, learning and development needs and provide opportunities for workers to maintain and develop their skills.
What training should Support at Home workers have?
The appropriate training depends on the worker’s role, qualifications, responsibilities, and the needs of the people they support.
However, Support at Home providers should consider several key training areas when developing their workforce training program.
Aged Care Code of Conduct
The Aged Care Code of Conduct applies to registered providers, responsible persons, and aged care workers, including support workers, contractors, and volunteers.
The Code sets expectations around dignity, respect, privacy, safety, integrity, responding to concerns and preventing abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and violence.
Providers must take reasonable steps to ensure their workforce understands and complies with the Code. This makes education around the Code an important part of an organisation’s training and induction processes.
Support at Home Training Requirements: Manual Handling and Safe Work Practices
Support at Home workers may assist older people with mobility, transfers, personal care and household activities.
Manual handling training helps workers use safer techniques, identify hazards, and use equipment appropriately.
The Code of Conduct specifically expects aged care services to be delivered safely and competently, with workers having the skills, experience and qualifications required for their role.
Support at Home Training Requirements: Personal Care Training
Workers providing personal care need appropriate knowledge and practical skills to support people safely and respectfully.
Training may cover areas such as personal hygiene, showering and bathing, dressing, toileting, continence support, infection prevention, privacy and dignity and the safe use of equipment.
The exact training required depends on the services being delivered and the worker’s responsibilities.
Support at Home Training Requirements: Medication Training
Where workers are involved in medication assistance or administration, they need appropriate training and competency for their specific responsibilities.
Medication training can help workers understand safe practices, documentation, storage, common risks, and when to escalate concerns.
Providers should always ensure workers operate within their approved scope of practice and organisational procedures.
Support at Home Training Requirements: Infection Prevention and Control
Infection prevention is an important consideration for workers providing care in people’s homes.
Training can cover hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, cleaning practices, cross-contamination and appropriate infection control procedures.
This is particularly important when workers provide personal care or support people with increased health vulnerabilities.
Support at Home Training Requirements: Dementia and Cognitive Support
Many Support at Home participants may experience dementia or other cognitive changes as they age.
Dementia training can help workers understand changes in communication, behaviour and memory while learning strategies to provide person-centred support.
Training can also help workers recognise potential risks and understand when to escalate concerns to the appropriate person.
First Aid and CPR
First Aid and CPR training can give workers the knowledge and practical skills needed to respond to emergencies.
Whether specific qualifications are required depends on the worker’s role, workplace policies, risk assessments, and applicable requirements. Providers should establish appropriate currency and training requirements for their workforce.
Dysphagia, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Other Condition-Specific Training
Some Support at Home participants have complex or specific support needs.
Where workers must provide support related to a particular condition or clinical need, they may need additional role-specific training.
Examples can include: Diabetes, Epilepsy, Dysphagia, Enteral feeding, Catheter and uridome care, Bowel and stoma care, Tracheostomy and airway management, CPAP and BiPAP, Wound care and Palliative care.
This is where individualised training becomes particularly important. Providers should identify the skills each participant needs and ensure workers have the appropriate training and competency before undertaking tasks.
How Skills Centre Australia can help
Keeping an aged care workforce trained, confident and ready for changing participant needs can be a significant undertaking.
Skills Centre Australia provides flexible training options designed to help organisations develop practical, job-ready skills across a range of aged care and disability support areas.
Our training catalogue includes courses covering areas such as: Personal Care, Manual Handling, Medication and Administration, First Aid and CPR, Dementia and Elder Abuse, Mental Health, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Palliative Care, Dysphagia, Enteral Feeding, Catheter and Uridome Care, Bowel and Stoma Care, Airway and Tracheostomy, CPAP and BiPAP, and Wound Care.
Training is available online and face-to-face, helping providers choose an approach that works for their workforce.
For organisations looking to train multiple staff members, Skills Centre Australia can also provide group and customised training, including the option to deliver training at your organisation’s location.
Our trainers bring industry experience into the classroom, combining theory with practical learning to help workers develop skills they can confidently apply in real-world support environments.
Building a Skilled Support at Home Workforce
The introduction of Support at Home has brought significant changes to Australia’s aged care system, but one principle remains central: older people should receive safe, respectful, quality care from workers with the skills and knowledge to support them.
Understanding the Support at Home training requirements is an important part of preparing your workforce.
Rather than viewing training as a compliance exercise, providers can use it to build confidence, strengthen practical skills, and give workers the tools they need to provide quality support.
At Skills Centre Australia, we help providers make that process easier with flexible, practical, industry-focused training options.
Whether you need to upskill one worker, train an entire team or develop a customised training program, talk to Skills Centre Australia about how we can support your organisation.