Home Care Community Fund grants

SSI's Home Care Workforce Support Program provides support to everyday heroes who want to provide quality care for seniors in their homes. Whether you want to start a career in at-home aged care or boost your skills, SSI can help you. 

The Home Care Community Fund provides grants to host activities in NSW and the ACT to build awareness of the opportunities and benefits available through the Program.

If you are a Community leader, belong to a Community Group or Community Organisation, you are encouraged to apply!

• Funds of up to $5000 are available. (But you can apply for as little as $50.)
   
• Ideas for activities big and small are encouraged to apply.
  
  
• Information about the Program can be shared at a special event or as part of an existing activity/event.
  
  
• Apply anytime before 14th March 2024.
  
  
• Activities must be completed by 30th March 2024.

How do I apply?

Application is easy.

Simply click on Get Tickets or email: homecare@ssi.org.au and ask for an Application Pack.


More information

The Home Care Workforce Support Program is a government-funded program to recruit, train, and support Personal Care Workers for the Aged Care industry. In NSW and the ACT, it is delivered by a not-for-profit organisation called Settlement Services International (SSI).

What is a Personal Care Worker?

Personal Care Workers (PCWs) are the frontline workers who go into the homes of elderly Australians and assist them with all kinds of tasks for daily living. Entry-level PCWs focus mainly on light housework, accompanying their clients to shops and appointments, and being a friendly face to help fight loneliness in their clients.

With additional training, PCWs can assist with a range of medical and social supports, right up to completing training as an Enrolled Nurse.

What are the benefits of being a Personal Care Worker?

PCWs choose how many days and hours per week they work, and most are able to work close to home, so the role is very flexible. It is a meaningful job that is vital to supporting elderly people, and a great way to start a career in the Aged Care or Health industries. You can learn more about the work by watching our Case Study video.

The pay rate depends on several factors, including your age and experience. 

How can the Program help to find people a job?

People need to register with the Program to get support. Registration is easy!

To register with the Program, Participants need:

•  A Right to Work in Australia (either by being an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or by holding an appropriate VISA)

•  To be able to clear a Police Check and Working with Children Check

•  At least two COVID jabs, and a willingness to get the flu shot each year

•  A driver’s license and access to a car is preferred, but not always essential.

Click to Register as a Program Participant on our website: ssi.org.au/homecare

After registering, people will be contacted by a Participant Services Delivery Officer for an initial consultation to learn about their needs and aspirations. They will be advised at that point if they will be registered as a Participant in the Program. Participants will be offered training, help with job interview preparation, and contact 4-8 employers on the Participants' behalf. Participants can contact their Services Delivery Officer if they have questions or concerns.

Program Participants are eligible to receive a Care Career Passport

The Care Career Passport is part of a kit designed to accompany aged care workers throughout their career. This kit features a set of materials, including documents and videos, with the information to kick start a care career.

What else does the Program do?

The Program will financially reimburse mandatory workplace checks like Police Check and Working With Children Checks. We offer access to free training, including First Aid, life skills, resume writing and job interview training.

The Program has a purpose-built facility in our Experience Centre in Bankstown, Sydney providing in-person support to Participants. This Experience Centre features a Technology Lab with free access to internet connected laptops, Digital Literacy Lessons, and drop-in support offering free additional help like mentoring, career counselling, peer support groups, and wellbeing counselling. 

The Experience Centre offers a range of online training, and drop-in support services are available by phone too.

The Program can offer Participants the opportunity to complete the TAFE Certificate III options in a Traineeship, where they will be paid to study and work. 

The Program can also link to accreditations (which are often free or subsidised), like the following TAFE certifications:

•  Entry into care roles skill set - CHCSS00129
•  Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) - CHC33015
•  Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance - HLT33015
•  Certificate III in Health Services assistance - HLT33115
•  Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance - HLT43015
•  Certificate IV in Ageing Support - CHC43015
•  Diploma of Nursing for Enrolled Nurses - HLT54115

These accreditations are not needed to be a PCW, but they do increase skills and pay rates.

Participants can even access discounts through their complimentary My NRMA membership.

How do I find out more?

Click on Get Ticket to request a Home Care Community Fund Application Pack or recruitment postcards. Or email: homecare@ssi.org.au.

To find out more about the Home Care Workforce Support Program, or to register for the Program visit: ssi.org.au/homecare or call 1800 849 010.