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How to prepare for a disability support or aged care interview

Disability and aged care interviews test whether you respect people's dignity and choices, work safely and stay calm. Expect questions about personal care, privacy, safety and teamwork, and scenarios such as a client refusing help. Prepare true stories, even from caring for family. Check which screening check you'll need before you start.

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What the job involves

Australia's occupation list says disability support workers give household help, emotional support and person-centred care. The aim is more independence and community access. The work includes:

  • helping with daily activities such as personal care, meals, medication and getting around
  • giving emotional support
  • finding and joining community activities
  • helping people with training and work
  • managing risks and emergencies in the home

Residential aged care workers support older people in aged care homes. They help with personal care, social support and medication checks. Some give palliative or dementia care.

England's National Careers Service says care workers help people live as independently as possible. Tasks include routine health checks and keeping care plans up to date.

Skills employers look for

The UK profile lists skills including:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • a desire to help people
  • working well with others
  • patience and staying calm in stressful situations
  • attention to detail
  • understanding people's reactions

In Australia, the NDIS Code of Conduct sets out how NDIS providers and workers must act. It includes respecting people's right to make their own decisions, respecting privacy and working safely.

Screening checks

Screening rules differ by country and by type of care. Check what the job needs. Some examples:

  • Australian aged care: workers need an NDIS worker screening check, or a police certificate no older than 3 years. Certain offences on it stop you working for a registered provider. See the aged care screening rules.
  • NDIS disability work: you need an NDIS check for a risk-assessed role with a registered provider. Some other providers ask all their workers to have one. State and territory units do the NDIS worker screening check, which lasts up to 5 years.
  • United Kingdom: the National Careers Service says care workers need to pass enhanced background checks.

Answer screening forms fully and honestly.

How the interviews usually work

Care interviews can include scenario questions about real situations, such as a client who refuses help.

Some employers ask for a short shadow shift or trial. Check whether it's paid. Our guide to paid and unpaid trials explains the rules in Australia and New Zealand.

The UK profile notes that a driving licence can help if you travel between clients.

Questions that test each skill

These are the kinds of questions that test each skill. They are examples, not a list from any one employer.

  • Dignity and choice: "A client wants to wear something you think is unsuitable. What do you do?"
  • Refusal: "A resident refuses their shower. How do you respond?"
  • Privacy: "A family member asks about another resident. What do you say?"
  • Safety: "You notice bruises on a client. What do you do?"
  • Teamwork: "Tell us about a time you passed on a concern to a nurse or manager."
  • Reliability: "How would you manage early starts and travel between clients?"
  • Calm: "Tell us about a time someone was distressed. How did you help?"

What to prepare

  1. Read the provider's values, and the code of conduct for the sector.
  2. Pick true stories about care, patience, respect and raising a concern.
  3. If you're new, use stories from caring for family, volunteering or other jobs.
  4. Check which screening check you need, and start it early if you can.
  5. Prepare a question, such as how they train new staff.

A worked answer for a care role

Here is a made-up answer to a question that tests dignity and choice.

Made-up example

Lena, a made-up café worker applying for her first aged care job

Question

“Tell us about a time you supported someone to make their own choice.”

Situation

I helped care for my grandmother at home after her stroke. She wanted to keep making her own breakfast, but she'd had a fall.

Task

I wanted to keep her safe without taking away something that mattered to her.

Action

  • I asked her which parts of breakfast she most wanted to keep doing herself.
  • We moved her plates, kettle and cereal to waist height, so she didn't need to reach.
  • I asked her therapist about a stool and a kitchen trolley, and we got both.
  • I stayed nearby for the first week, then checked in by phone each morning.

Result

She made her own breakfast for the next 2 years without another fall. She said it made her feel like herself.

Lena respects her grandmother's choice and still manages the risk. The NDIS Code of Conduct asks for both.

Questions

Can I get a care job with no paid experience?

Yes, it's possible. England's National Careers Service says time spent caring for someone you know counts as caring experience.

Which check do I need in Australia?

For aged care, an NDIS worker screening check or a police certificate no older than 3 years. For a risk-assessed role with a registered NDIS provider, the NDIS check. Some other employers ask for it too.

Do I need a qualification?

It depends on the employer. Australia's occupation list rates these jobs at Certificate II or III level.

Sources

Written by Seal the Offer from these pages, last checked on . Rules change, so check the employer's own page and the job ad before you apply.

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