What to expect in the first month with a new support worker
Reviewed by the My Care Link Australia Editorial Team · Last reviewed
The first month sets the tone for the whole arrangement. Most problems people put up with for a year could have been fixed in week two by saying something. Here is what a good first month looks like, and what to do when it is not going that way.
Before the first shift
- Write down the routine you want — tasks, order, timing, anything that must happen a particular way
- Note what you do not want help with; independence matters as much as assistance
- List anything about access: parking, keys, pets, stairs, who else is home
- Share any communication preferences, sensory needs or behaviour support plan
- Agree the shift times in writing and how the worker confirms arrival
A one-page sheet handed over on day one prevents most of the friction of the first fortnight.
Week one: getting the basics right
The first shifts are slower than later ones, and that is normal — the worker is learning your home and your routine. Expect to explain the same thing twice.
What should already be right in week one: arriving on time, staying the full shift, calling ahead if running late, and following the tasks you agreed. If those are not right in week one, they will not fix themselves in week four.
Weeks two and three: settling the routine
- The routine should start running without step-by-step instruction
- Adjust the task list — most people find the first version was wrong in small ways
- Give feedback as you go, in the moment, rather than saving it up
- Check the shift notes if the provider keeps them, and correct anything inaccurate
- If a family member has been supervising every shift, start stepping back
Week four: the honest review
At the end of the first month, ask yourself three questions: is the support reliable, is the fit right, and is the week easier than it was? Reliable but a poor personality fit is fixable — ask the provider for a different worker, which is a normal request and not a complaint. Unreliable is different, and worth acting on.
- Reliable and good fit — confirm the ongoing roster and leave it alone
- Reliable, wrong fit — ask the provider for a different worker
- Unreliable — raise it formally with the provider in writing and set a clear expectation
- Unsafe or disrespectful — end it, and contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
How to raise a problem well
Be specific and factual: what happened, when, and what you want instead. "The last three Tuesday shifts started twenty minutes late and the shower routine was rushed — I need shifts to start at 8am" gets a result. "It's not working" usually does not.
Go to the provider's coordinator, not the worker, when the issue is about reliability or rostering. Ask for a written response with a date.
About this guide. Written and reviewed by the My Care Link Australia team as general information for NDIS and aged care participants, families and support coordinators. Read our editorial guidelines and provider review process.
This guide is general educational information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your individual situation, please speak with the appropriate qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
What happens on the first shift with a support worker?
Introductions, a walk through your routine and home, and the agreed tasks. It usually runs slower than later shifts while the worker learns how you like things done.
Can I ask for a different support worker?
Yes. Asking for a different worker because the fit is not right is a normal request, not a complaint, and most providers handle it routinely.
How long does it take to settle into a routine?
Most people find the routine runs smoothly by the second or third week, with small adjustments along the way.
What should I do if the worker keeps arriving late?
Raise it in writing with the provider's coordinator, stating the dates and the start time you need, and ask for a written response.
What if I feel unsafe or disrespected?
End the arrangement and contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider conduct is covered by the NDIS Code of Conduct, registered or not.
Related services
NDIS Support Workers
Trained support workers for daily living, social activities and personal care.
NDIS Personal Care
Help with showering, dressing, grooming, toileting and daily personal hygiene.
NDIS Help at Home
Cleaning, gardening, meals, laundry and household tasks under your NDIS plan.
NDIS Social and Community Participation
Support to engage in social, recreational and community activities.
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Sources and further reading
Rules, funding amounts and wait times change. We check these primary sources when we update this page, and you should confirm current details directly with them.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Official scheme information, eligibility and current processes.
- How to apply for the NDIS(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Current access request steps and forms.
- Understanding your NDIS plan budget(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. How plan management and budget categories work.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission(opens in a new tab) — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider registration, practice standards and complaints.
- Services Australia — Disability Support Pension(opens in a new tab) — Services Australia. Income support eligibility and claim process.