SWAA Membership
You do not have to hold the work alone.
SWAA membership gives support workers practical guidance, mentoring, training, resources, community, partner benefits and sector updates - all built for the realities of support work.
Join 400+ support workers building safer, stronger and more sustainable support work across Australia.
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400+
SWAA Members
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15+
industry and training partners
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40,000+
monthly website visits
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100+
mentoring sessions delivered
Support work is skilled, complex and often under-supported
Support workers are asked to navigate a lot.
You may be managing boundaries, documentation, client planning, family dynamics, workplace questions, risk, changing sector expectations, or the everyday emotional weight of the role.
And too often, support workers are expected to figure it out alone.
SWAA exists to change that.
Membership gives you somewhere to go, someone to ask, practical tools to use, and a professional community that understands the realities of support work.
What’s included in SWAA membership?
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SWAA Members Lounge
A private members-only community for support workers to learn, share and lead together.
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Two private mentoring sessions each year
Your membership includes two private 1:1 mentoring sessions each year with Carly.
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Practical training and workshops
Access live and recorded SWAA training created for the realities of support work.
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Toolbox Talks and live Q&As
Join live sessions, submit questions in advance, or watch the recordings later in your own time.
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Member-only resources and templates
Access downloadable tools, checklists, templates and guides designed to support everyday practice.
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HR Hot Seat
Access monthly HR Q&A sessions with Kristy-Lee from People Powered Business.
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General legal support
Members receive access to one private, confidential general legal support consult each year.
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Partner benefits
Access member-only offers from SWAA’s industry partners.
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Sector updates and advocacy
Stay connected to changes, conversations and advocacy shaping support work across Australia.
Short, practical training you can fit into busy support work lives.
“I’ve just finished listening to Moments with Martha... there were so many little pieces of gold that really sparkled... I highly recommend, its a great listen”
Practical learning for real support work
SWAA training is built for the real world - the conversations, decisions and situations support workers actually face.
Members access a growing library of short, practical training and professional development content across categories including LEGWORK, HEADWORK, HEARTWORK, BACKBONE, SELFWORK, TEAMWORK and BOLDWORK, along with Moments with Martha, Toolbox Talks and HR Hot Seat.
SWAA aims to add new learning regularly, with a goal of 1–2 new pieces of content each month.
Upcoming topics may include behaviour support, sexuality, supporting participants to attend the dentist, and more practical toolbox talks.
Training Examples
Resources and templates
Support workers need more than information. They need practical tools they can return to when the work gets complex.
SWAA members can access a growing library of member-only resources, templates and downloadable tools through the member portal.
Tools you can use in the real world
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Data breach quiz and flowchart
A practical tool to help members think through privacy and information safety.
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Supporting puberty intervention resource
Practical guidance for support workers navigating sensitive developmental support.
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Job application and cover letter checklist
A practical resource for workers applying for roles and presenting their experience clearly.
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Invisible load and burnout checklist
A tool to help workers notice the unseen pressures of the role and protect sustainability.
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Registration readiness self-assessment
A reflective tool for workers and providers preparing for stronger compliance expectations.
A private community for questions, reflection and connection
Support work can feel lonely, even when you spend your days with people.
You might not always want to ask your employer, colleagues or clients the questions you are carrying. You might worry about looking inexperienced, losing shifts, saying the wrong thing or not knowing where to start.
The SWAA Members Lounge gives you a private, members-only space to ask questions, share useful resources, hear updates and connect with others who understand the work.
It is a place for learning and support — not judgement, advertising or criticism.
Learn. Share. Lead.
Private mentoring when you need to talk something through
Some parts of support work are hard to unpack in a public space.
That is why SWAA membership includes two private 1:1 mentoring sessions each year with Carly.
These sessions are online, confidential and focused on what you need. You might bring a client situation, a boundary question, a workplace issue, a career decision, a compliance question, or a small business challenge.
Each session runs for 30 minutes. Notes and recordings are kept privately in your portal and are not accessible to other members.
Additional mentoring can be purchased by members at a discounted member rate.
1:1 Mentoring
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1:1 Mentoring *
Mentoring can support you with:
tricky client situations
boundaries
workplace questions
client session planning
career direction
compliance questions
small business development
confidence and reflection
Member benefits that support the real costs of support work
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Hnry
Sole trader accounting, invoicing and tax support.
SWAA members receive a $20 credit to their Hnry account.
Best suited for: independent support workers, sole traders and small business owners.
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Anzen Safety & Training
First aid, CPR and compliance training.
SWAA members receive 20% off eligible training.
Best suited for: support workers needing practical compliance training and refreshed workplace safety skills.
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Get My Course
An RTO offering formal qualifications and short courses.
SWAA members receive access to a free mental health certification introduction and 70% off selected formal qualifications and short courses.
Best suited for: support workers wanting to build recognised skills and confidence through formal learning pathways.
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EasyAs Invoicing
NDIS-compliant invoicing support for support workers and providers.
SWAA members receive 10% off Easy As Invoicing.
Best suited for: independent support workers, sole traders and providers managing NDIS invoicing.
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Harvey Norman Technology for Business
Technology and cyber security support for businesses.
SWAA members receive a free cyber security assessment valued at $500.
Best suited for: sole traders, independent providers and small businesses wanting stronger cyber safety and compliance.
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Support Finance Group
Finance broker support for support workers and the care industry.
SWAA members can access finance-related support and guidance through SWAA’s partner pathway.
Best suited for: support workers, sole traders and care industry professionals exploring lending or finance options.
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People Powered Business
People Powered Business
HR support for businesses and employers.
SWAA members can access HR guidance through monthly HR Hot Seat Q&A sessions with Kristy-Lee from People Powered Business.
Best suited for: support workers, sole traders, providers and people in leadership roles with HR or workplace questions.
What members are saying
Real reflections from support workers using SWAA for mentoring, guidance, connection and practical support.
Both membership options include the same member benefits. Choose the payment option that works best for you.
Monthly Membership
$27/month
No lock-in contract. Cancel anytime.
Includes:
SWAA Members Lounge
Two private 1:1 mentoring sessions each year
Live and recorded workshops
Toolbox Talks
Member-only resources and templates
HR Hot Seat Q&As
General legal support
Partner benefits
Sector updates and advocacy
Yearly Membership
$297/year
Best value. Save one month compared with monthly payments.
Includes:
SWAA Members Lounge
Two private 1:1 mentoring sessions each year
Live and recorded workshops
Toolbox Talks
Member-only resources and templates
HR Hot Seat Q&As
General legal support
Partner benefits
Sector updates and advocacy
Membership is for individuals. Providers and organisations can purchase memberships in bulk for their staff by enquiry.
A tax invoice is provided after purchase. Membership may be tax deductible depending on your circumstances. Please speak with your accountant for individual advice.
Choose your membership
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Choose your membership *
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. SWAA is not a union and does not represent workers in industrial disputes.
SWAA is a membership association focused on support, professional development, resources, advocacy, community and practical guidance for support workers.
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SWAA welcomes support workers across Australia, including new workers, experienced workers, employed workers, independent workers, sole traders and people in leadership roles.
Membership is individual, but providers and organisations can purchase memberships in bulk for their staff.
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No. You do not need to be a sole trader.
SWAA welcomes and encourages all support workers, including people employed by organisations, independent workers, sole traders and people moving between different types of support work.
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No. SWAA memberships are individual and cannot be shared.
If you want to support multiple staff members, please enquire about bulk or team membership options.
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No. The SWAA Members Lounge is encouraged, but it is not required.
You can still access your member portal, training, resources, partner benefits and mentoring if you do not use Facebook.
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SWAA members can access monthly HR Hot Seat Q&A sessions with Kristy-Lee from People Powered Business.
Members can submit questions anonymously or ask live. These sessions are designed to explore common HR and workplace questions in a practical way that benefits the wider member community.
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Yes. There are no lock-in contracts.
You can cancel your membership anytime. Your access will continue according to your billing period and membership settings.
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SWAA does not offer refunds for membership payments already processed.
Because there are no lock-in contracts, members can cancel anytime if they no longer wish to continue.
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Membership may be tax deductible depending on your individual circumstances and how you use SWAA in your work.
Please speak with your accountant or tax adviser for advice specific to your situation.
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Yes. SWAA membership is especially helpful if you are new to support work and want to build confidence, understand expectations, access practical resources and feel connected to a professional community from the beginning.
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No. SWAA is not a Registered Training Organisation.
SWAA delivers professional development, lifelong learning, toolbox talks, resources and practical support. We also partner with Get My Course, an RTO, so members can access selected formal training and qualifications through that pathway.
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Yes. Support work can feel lonely even when you spend your days with people.
Many support workers do not always feel comfortable asking colleagues, coordinators or managers every question they are carrying. SWAA gives you a separate professional community where you can access resources, training, mentoring and guidance outside your workplace.
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Providers, employers and people in leadership roles are welcome in SWAA.
If you are joining as an individual, you can access the same membership benefits as other members. If you want memberships for your team, training support or a broader organisation partnership, please enquire about team membership options.
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Membership includes two private 1:1 mentoring sessions each year with Carly.
Each session is online and runs for 30 minutes. You can book through the member portal using a system that syncs with Carly’s calendar. If you need to reschedule, you can do that through the same system.
Mentoring is confidential, and notes or recordings are kept privately in your portal.
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You can use mentoring to talk through support work practice, tricky client situations, boundaries, workplace questions, career development, client session planning, compliance questions or small business development.
Mentoring is a reflective and practical support space to help you think clearly and plan your next steps.
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Mentoring does not replace legal advice, counselling, crisis support, formal HR advice or ongoing supervision.
Where a matter needs specialist support, SWAA may help you think through appropriate next steps or pathways.
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Partner benefits are accessed through the SWAA member portal.
Once you join, you will receive login details and instructions for accessing current partner offers.
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Access is immediate.
After joining, you will receive a login email to set up your account and access the member portal.
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That is completely okay.
Start with the welcome email, explore the member portal, introduce yourself in the Members Lounge if you feel comfortable, or email Carly for guidance on where to begin.