Experienced Support Workers

Location: Highett and surrounding suburbs
Employment: Casual
Pay Rate: $37–$45 per hour
Shifts: Daytime, afternoon, evening and weekend shifts available
Make a real difference by becoming more than just a support worker.
YAY Today is looking for an experienced, engaging and genuinely caring Support Worker to support a young participant based in Highett.
This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building genuine relationships, sharing interests and making everyday activities fun and meaningful.
We are looking for someone who is patient, creative, energetic, reliable and genuinely interested in getting to know the person they support.
The right person will understand that great support isn't about simply completing tasks or supervising — it's about building trust, encouraging independence and helping someone feel confident, connected and supported.
About the role
You will provide one-to-one support both at home and in the community, helping the participant:
Build confidence and independence
Participate in activities that reflect their interests
Develop social and community connections
Explore new activities and experiences
Maintain routines and healthy daily habits
Develop emotional regulation and coping strategies
Make choices and have greater control over their day
Engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities
The ideal Support Worker
We are looking for someone who can genuinely join in rather than simply observe.
You will ideally:
Have a genuine interest in gaming and technology, particularly Nintendo Switch and YouTube
Enjoy talking about space, astronomy, science and documentaries
Be happy to play games, explore interests and participate alongside the participant
Enjoy drawing, LEGO, Play-Doh, arts and crafts, board games and creative activities
Have a good sense of humour and enjoy a bit of fun
Be energetic and willing to encourage gentle community participation
Enjoy activities such as mini golf, movies, parks and libraries
Be curious and willing to learn about new and sometimes very specific interests
Be accepting and respectful of individuality and self-expression
Be able to turn everyday activities into opportunities for connection and learning
You don't need to be an expert gamer, scientist or astronomer. What matters most is your willingness to get involved, be curious and share the person's interests.
Your approach matters
The participant responds best to support workers who are:
Calm, patient and emotionally regulated
Warm, respectful and approachable
Consistent and reliable
Comfortable using a low-demand approach
Able to give the person time to process information and respond
Flexible when plans change
Able to use interests and motivation to encourage engagement
Comfortable supporting transitions and changes in routine
Focused on building rapport before placing demands
Able to recognise that behaviour is a form of communication
Encouraging of independence and decision-making
You will also need to be confident working within Positive Behaviour Support strategies, particularly around digital devices and highly preferred activities. The focus is on proactive engagement, structure, positive strategies and relationship-based support, rather than confrontation.
Experience and skills
To be successful in this role, you will have:
Minimum 2 years' experience working as an NDIS Support Worker
Previous SIL experience
Experience supporting people with complex support needs
Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and psychosocial disability
Experience implementing Positive Behaviour Support strategies
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Good documentation and reporting skills
A calm and professional approach
The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a broader support team
Experience with mental health, emotional regulation, anxiety support and supporting people with complex behaviours will be highly regarded.
Essential requirements
Current NDIS Worker Screening Check
Working with Children Check
Current Australian Driver Licence
Reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle
Current First Aid and CPR Certificate
Australian working rights