Duty of Care applies to support workers in:

• Aged care
• Disability support
• Community services
• Home and residential care
• Healthcare settings
• NDIS services

• Give safe, ethical and person centred care to avoid unnecessary harm to clients.
• Foster the rights of clients, informed decision making, and overall wellbeing.
• Abide by the Australian health care regulations and uphold professional standards.
• Enhance safety in the workplace, minimise risk and service quality.
• Build trust with clients, families, employers and regulators while supporting aged care compliance.

• Duty of Care: Ensure that clients are protected from foreseeable harm.
• Negligence: Do not engage in conduct or indicate actions that might result in harm or put a client at risk.
• Reasonable Care: Provide care that aligns with their training, skills, and scope of practice.
• Reporting Obligations: Report incidents, abuse, neglect, hazards or safety concerns promptly through appropriate means.

• Respect: Respect each client's preferences, rights and individuality.
• Dignity: Maintain confidentiality and provide sensitive and respectful care to clients.
• Independence: Support clients to make decisions and be self-determined.
• Cultural Safety: Respect cultural, spiritual and language differences.
• Professional Boundaries: Maintain respectful professional relationships and avoid conflicts that may affect client care.

Support workers can typically:

• Provide assistance with everyday routines, personal hygiene, and mobility needs.
• Support meal preparation and medication prompting (where trained).
• Provide social and emotional support.
• Track client wellbeing and notify relevant staff about any changes.

However, support workers cannot:

• Conduct clinical procedures beyond the scope of training, e.g., wound care, injections.
• Provide diagnosis of medical conditions or alter medication doses.
• Take significant health care decisions for a client without permission.

• Privacy: Handle client information securely and comply with the Privacy Act 1988 when collecting, storing, and sharing data.
• Confidentiality: Maintain client's confidentiality and ensure that information is only accessed by those with permission.
• Health Information: Take extra precautions to process sensitive health information, as well as following workplace procedures.
• Informed Consent: Provide clear care and ensure the client understands and agrees before support is provided.

• Aged Care Quality Standards: Promote safe, high-quality and rights-based aged care.
• NDIS Practice Standards: Set quality and safety requirements for NDIS providers and workers.
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care: Develops national standards to improve healthcare safety and quality.
• Privacy Act 1988: Regulates the collection, use and protection of personal and health information.
• Work Health and Safety (WHS) Laws: Require safe workplaces to protect both clients and workers.

• Failing to report incidents or potential safety risks in a timely manner.
• Sharing confidential client information without authorisation.
• Performing tasks outside their scope of practice.
• Making decisions for clients instead of supporting informed choice.
• Not following workplace policies or updated training.

• Follow organisational policies and individual care plans.
• Communicate effectively with clients, families, and healthcare teams.
• Record incidents and client observations accurately and promptly.
• Seek guidance when a situation is beyond your knowledge or scope of practice.
• Keep your skills up to date through regular training and professional development.

Training helps support workers:

• Understand Australian healthcare legislation.
• Apply legal and ethical responsibilities in everyday practice.
• Recognise and report risks promptly.
• Work within their scope of practice.
• Protect client rights, privacy and confidentiality.
• Meet employer and industry standards.
• Build confidence and improve career opportunities.