FAQ
Do you have questions about working with us?
Have questions that aren’t answered below? Call our friendly staff on 1300 653 600.
These are some of the questions we are regularly asked.
- What qualifications do I need to work at Helping Hand?
- What is an expression of interest, and what can I expect once I’ve sent my details?
- I’ve applied for a current job vacancy, what happens next?
- What can I expect in an interview?
- What happens once I’ve had an interview?
- Do I need to provide references?
- Do I need a national police clearance certificate to work at Helping Hand?
- Where can I get a national police clearance certificate?
- Can you conduct a criminal history check for me?
- What if I have a criminal record?
- What is a functional capacity test and do I need one?
- When do I find out if I’ve got the job?
What qualifications do I need to work at Helping Hand?
To work at Helping Hand, you need to be eligible to live and work in Australia. You will need a current national police clearance certificate, or we can help you get one. Many of our roles require specific qualifications, make sure you read the Job Description carefully to see what qualifications are needed. Here are some of the common ones:
Care Worker (residential or community)
Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent qualification/experience
Community care workers must have a full South Australian driver’s licence and a safe, reliable and registered car
Home Support Worker
Current first aid certificate
Current full South Australian driver’s licence
Safe, reliable and registered car
Enrolled Nurse
A Diploma of Nursing
Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration
Previous aged care industry experience
Registered Nurse
A Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent)
Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registration
Minimum 12 months working experience
What is an expression of interest, and what can I expect once I’ve sent my details?
An expression of interest is not a current job vacancy. We are not actively recruiting for the job that is listed, but we are providing the opportunity for you to send us your details for when we are recruiting. Once you have submitted the expression of interest, we will keep your details on file. If a vacancy becomes available in a role that we think may be suitable for you, we will be in touch.
I’ve applied for a current job vacancy, what happens next?
Once applications close for a current job vacancy, we will review all submissions. If you are successful in obtaining an interview for the position, we will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time. If your application is unsuccessful, we will contact you to let you know.
What can I expect in an interview?
You will meet with friendly, professional people on an interview panel. Usually there will be two people, but this varies depending on the role you have applied for. Generally interviews last an hour, but again this will vary depending on the role.
We use a combination of traditional and behavioural questions when interviewing. Examples of traditional questions are “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “Describe a typical work week.” Examples of behavioural questions are “Tell me about a time when you had to take initiative” or “Give me an example of a new approach you developed for tackling a problem.”
It’s important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers. The interviewer is simply trying to understand how you behave in a given situation. How you respond will determine if there is a fit between your skills and the position we are seeking to fill.
What happens once I’ve had an interview?
If we want to progress your application once we have interviewed you, we will contact your referees. If a functional capacity test is needed for the role, we will contact you to arrange a time for you to have the test (see question below What is a functional capacity test and do I need one?). If your application is unsuccessful after interview, we will let you know.
Do I need to provide references?
Yes, we need the details of two referees who know you professionally. These can be your recent supervisor(s) and ideally your current employer. We contact your referees if we would like to progress your application after interview to provide us with more information about your previous working experience and roles. Please provide their full name, job title, the company they work for and a contact phone number or email address. Please contact your referees before giving us their details, so they are aware we may be in touch.
Do I need a national police clearance certificate to work at Helping Hand?
Yes. All employees need a current national police clearance certificate to work at Helping Hand. It must be less than six months old when you start, and will need to be renewed every three years.
Where can I get a national police clearance certificate?
Helping Hand can carry out a criminal history check on your behalf (see question below Can you conduct a criminal history check for me?). Alternatively, you can apply online or in person at a police office. You will need to provide sufficient personal identification and pay a fee. Once you have the certificate, we will take a copy for our records.
Can you conduct a criminal history check for me?
Yes. We can carry out a free criminal history check for you. This process does not include providing you with a national police clearance certificate. You will need to fill out a consent form, and provide 100 points of identification – click here to see a list of accepted forms of ID.
What if I have a criminal record?
Not all prior offences disqualify you from gaining employment with us. We review all applicants with a criminal record on an individual basis when making a decision regarding employment.
What is a functional capacity test and do I need one?
A functional capacity test is a physical assessment that measures your ability to cope with the physical aspects of a role. It helps us to make sure you can do the job safely, without risking personal injury. If you are applying for a role that involves direct care for our clients, you will need to undergo a functional capacity test if your application progresses. It involves various tests and observations relating to:
- Physical strength
- Stamina
- Range of movement
- Tolerance to functional activities such as lifting, carrying, etc
When do I find out if I’ve got the job?
Once you have had an interview and a functional capacity test (if applicable), we will endeavour to let you know within ten working days whether you have been successful. All employment offers are conditional on having a satisfactory national police clearance certificate or criminal history check.
