Shows / Sarah Knows Support Workers
Sarah Knows Support Workers
Welcome to Sarah Knows Support Workers! 🎙️ I’m Sarah Heriot. After 17 years in disability support, I’ve seen the good, the messy and the stuff nobody wants to talk about! Join me for honest conversations about support work, NDIS, disability and aged care, with frontline workers, providers, founders and sector leaders. Want more? Explore my Spotify memberships for bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes stories and deeper leadership conversations. Looking for a better support match? Join SwiftyMatchy…
Episodes
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Changes: 5 Things Support Workers Should Do Before 2027
The NDIS is changing, but does that mean it's all bad news? Absolutely not! We've known for a while that changes are coming. Instead of focusing on everything…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Kickbacks Banned: What Every Support Worker Needs to Know!
Referral fees, gift cards, kickbacks and conflicts of interest. Where do we draw the line in the NDIS? New laws targeting kickbacks and inducements are coming…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
9,351 NDIS review applications in one year. A growing backlog. And longer waiting times. What's going on?
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has released its 2025–26 Annual Report, and some of the NDIS figures are worth paying attention to. In this solo…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Dating, Drinking & Disability: Let's Talk About It | Samantha Prior
What was it really like growing up with a rare disability in Australia during the 1990s? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
A Mother’s Perspective: Mental Health, Advocacy & Hope | Kym McMinn
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes personal discussions about suicide, suicide attempts, self-harm, mental illness and experiences of hearing voices…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Beyond the Diagnosis: Lachy's Journey from Lived Experience to Advocacy
Identity before diagnosis. A message that sits at the heart of Lachlan's story. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah is joined by Lachlan for…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Christmas Rostering: Plan Now, Avoid the Chaos!
Christmas is coming… and if you work in NDIS rostering, you know the chaos can start well before December! 🎄😂 Annual leave, public holidays, staff shortages…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Whistleblowing in the NDIS: What Happens When Speaking Up Is the Only Option?
What happens when you’ve reported concerns, followed the right processes, raised complaints… and nothing changes? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Are You a Good Support Worker… or Just a Nice Person?
Being kind matters. But kindness alone doesn’t make you a great support worker. In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between being a lovely person…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Choice & Control vs Duty of Care: When Should Support Workers Step In?
Choice and control sounds simple… until a participant makes a choice that might put them at risk. So where does dignity of risk end and duty of care begin? In…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
"That’s Not the Support Worker I Ordered” — Why I Built SwiftyMatchy Sarah Heriot
In this special episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, the microphone is flipped. James Loveday takes over as host and interviews Sarah about SwiftyMatchy—the…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Good People Still Need Good Training | Taieri Walsh Cora Workforce
What actually makes a great support worker? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I chat with Taieri from CORA Workforce about why being kind and…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
They Saw the Disability. She Saw Her Son | Lily Grubb, LGO Therapy Group
When Lily Grubb’s son Liam was diagnosed with Level 3 autism, was non-speaking and had global developmental delay, her entire world changed. But what…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Give Them the Chance to Shine | Julie Fisher
What does good support actually look like from a family’s point of view? In this episode, Sarah sits down with author, speaker, radio host and mum Julie Fisher…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Why Is the NDIS Drowning in Admin? Mark Woodland on Kismet & Better Healthcare
Mark retired. It lasted two weeks. Then he bought a farm, got a tractor, collected around 40 chickens and somehow ended up back building technology. 😂 In this…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Sex, Consent & Disability: What Every Support Worker Needs to Hear
Sexuality doesn’t disappear when someone has a disability—but access to clear, respectful education often does. In this episode, Sarah sits down with sexuality…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
From Support Worker to NDIS Business Leader | Kelvin Kamara
What does strong leadership really look like in disability support? In this episode, Sarah chats with Kelvin Kamara from Hopewell Community Care about his…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
KoalaOne: The AI-Powered NDIS CRM for Support Workers & Providers | Bhavin Patel
What if NDIS providers and support workers could spend less time completing admin—and more time supporting participants? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Compliance Made Simple: Get Audit-Ready with AI | Adam Stefano, Cenaris
NDIS compliance does not have to mean messy spreadsheets, scattered documents and a last-minute panic before your audit. In this episode, Sarah sits down with…
Sarah Knows Support WorkersHow Luke Wilson Built Paylos: NDIS Support Workers, Youth Work & Early Intervention
What happens when lived experience, youth work, case management and a belief in doing support differently all come together?In this episode of Sarah Knows…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
How to Go From Solo Support Worker to NDIS Business Owner
Thinking of going from solo support worker to running your own business? This episode is for the support workers who are amazing on shift but are starting to…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Think Buying an NDIS Business Is Like Coffee or Hair? Think Again.
Most people think buying an NDIS business is just a matter of snapping up a shiny registration online—big mistake. Sarah dives into why that "easy buy" is a…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Price Guide 2026–27: What Support Workers Need to Read Before January 2027
The new NDIS Annual Pricing Review is 186 pages long… and respectfully, most support workers do not have time to read it front to back unless they have lost a…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Behaviour Support That Actually Makes Sense with Matt Sevier
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Matt Sevier, Founder and Director of Steppr, a Positive Behaviour Support provider based in…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
What Works for Me on Social Media in 2026 | NDIS Provider Marketing
NDIS providers, support worker businesses and independents, this one is for you. In this solo episode, I’m talking about why social media in 2026 needs to be…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Chosen Family, Real Belonging & the Support Work That Changes Lives
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Traidy, founder of Chosen Family, about support work, advocacy, inclusion, and what it really…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Creating SIL Match: Helping People Find the Right Supported Living Arrangement
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I chat with Umberine Williams, founder of SIL Match, about her journey through the disability sector and why…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Kindship CEO Hayley Thiele on NDIS Reforms, Parents and Plan Management
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Hayley Thiele, CEO of Kindship, for a real and honest chat about NDIS changes, plan management…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Keeley’s Cause: From School Exclusion to 691 iPads for Kids With Autism
She Was Denied an iPad at School — Now Keeley’s Cause Has Helped 691 Kids With Autism In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Sharon…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
How We Made It to 100 Episodes: Support Workers, NDIS Stories and Real Sector Conversations
We made it to 100 episodes of Sarah Knows Support Workers — and honestly, I don’t think I realised how big that was until now. This podcast started with no…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
SIL & Respite Explained: What Every Support Worker Needs to Know | Pure Living Accommodation
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Stevie-Lee Molina, founder and director of Pure Living Accommodation and Care, about what…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
You Are Not Just a Support Worker — Em Hoskin from Your Best Support on What You're Really Worth
In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah sits down with Em Hoskin from Your Best Support to talk about what real, person-centred NDIS support…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Changes 2026 Explained: Support Workers, Funding Cuts & The Future of Care
What’s really happening with the NDIS right now… and what does it actually mean for support workers, providers, and participants? In this episode, I join…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
HireUp CEO Peter Willis on NDIS Leadership, Support Workers and the Future of Disability Care
In this episode, Sarah sits down with Peter Willis, CEO of HireUp, to talk about leadership, support workers, provider growth, and the future of disability…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
The Support Workers Who Actually Change Lives (It’s Not What You Think)
Not all support workers are the same. Some turn up… and some actually show up. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah talks about the real…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Support Worker Guide: What to Do When a Participant Refuses Their Support Plan
What should a support worker do when an NDIS participant says no to their support plan? In this episode, Sarah breaks down why participants say no, what…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
"How Support Workers Are Using Community Events to Get More Participants | Cody Thompson
In this episode, Sarah sits down with Cody Thompson, co-founder of Disability Events Community (DEC) and Aged Care Events Community (ACEC) — two fast-growing…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Home Care Technology: How One App Is Solving the Family Coordination Problem | Lisa Thomson
NDIS families across Australia are struggling to coordinate care, manage communication, and keep everyone informed. When Lisa Thomson couldn’t find a solution…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Compliance & Auditing Explained: How Australian Providers Can Turn Audits Into a Growth Strategy
NDIS providers across Australia often fear audits — but what if audits became your biggest business advantage? In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Support Worker Burnout in Australia: Signs, Causes & How NDIS Providers Can Stop Losing Their Best People
Support worker burnout is one of the biggest issues in Australia's NDIS sector — and it's impacting participants, providers, and the workforce. In this episode…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Provider Marketing: Why Authentic Relationships Beat Algorithms Every Time | Solomon
NDIS providers across Australia are trying to grow — but many are doing it backwards. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah speaks with Solomon…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Adaptive Clothing & NDIS Supplies: How Better Products Restore Dignity for Participants | Bec Parry, InCare Supports
The right products can restore dignity for NDIS participants — but many support workers don’t know what's available. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support…
Sarah Knows Support WorkersNDIS Provider Marketing & Growth Strategy: What's Actually Working in Australia Right Now | Chris Lapa
Many NDIS providers across Australia struggle to grow — not because their services are poor, but because their marketing isn’t working. In this episode of…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Why NDIS Support Worker Matching Matters More Than Funding, Hours or Compliance
Two NDIS participants. Same funding. Same hours. Completely different outcomes. The difference? The support worker. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Trauma-Informed NDIS Support for Young People: From Support Worker to CEO | Yosmerys Aparicio Cuencas
Supporting young people with disability requires trauma-informed care, leadership, and strong support worker teams. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Stop Posting for Posting’s Sake: Ethical NDIS Marketing That Works with Michelle Flynn
In this episode I sit down with Michelle Flynn, Growth & Marketing Manager at aryse (https://aryse.com.au/) — a service doing great things in the disability…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
The Hidden SIL Problem No One Is Talking About: Rostering & Claiming
Running a SIL service and feel like you’re constantly juggling rosters, funding, staff needs, and compliance… and still wondering if you’re getting it right?…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
From Mugs to Matchmaking: A Support Worker Tale
I’m not great at elevator pitches — and honestly, I don’t want to be. I’m better at listening. Listening to why you do what you do. How you got here. And what…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
NDIS Career Pathways: How to Go from Support Worker to Leadership in Australia's Disability Sector | Joel Scott
Support work can lead to leadership — and Joel Scott proves it. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah speaks with Joel Scott about career…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Rebuilding Allied Health: Inside Australian Therapy Hub & the Tech Changing Care
What happens when people inside the NDIS get fed up with broken systems… and decide to build something better? In this episode, I’m joined by Ammar Kazi and…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
10 Years, No Shortcuts: Vision, Hustle & Balance with James Bennett
We’re back for 2026 — and kicking off with a powerful conversation. In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah sits down with James Bennett…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
17 Years in the Disability Sector: Lessons Every Support Worker Needs to Hear | Sarah Heriot
What do you learn after 17 years in the disability sector? In this episode, Sarah Heriot reflects on her journey through support work — from the early days to…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
Thriving in 2026 as a Support Worker | Skills, Tech & Confidence in the NDIS
Support work is changing — fast. In this episode, Sarah Heriot unpacks what it really means to thrive as a support worker in 2026, not just survive the shifts…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
How Support Workers Can Use ChatGPT (Without Losing the Human Touch) | Sarah Heriot
Can ChatGPT actually help NDIS support workers — or is it something we should be wary of?In this episode, Sarah Heriot shares how she uses ChatGPT in everyday…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
This Platform Is Changing Independence for People with Disabilities | The Me Plus More Story
In today’s episode, I sit down with Tara Shekede, founder of Me Plus More — one of Australia’s leading online platforms supporting people with intellectual…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
From Drama Teacher to Care Trainer: Yvette’s Pivot to Ethical Training
From Drama Teacher to Care Trainer — meet Yvette “Spaghetti” Salvaris! In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Yvette Salvaris…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
From Garage to GOAT: Garth Belic on Building PayCat — Payroll That Actually Works
From humble garage beginnings to becoming the go-to name in NDIS & aged-care payroll — meet Garth Belic, founder of PayCat 🐱💼 Sarah (aka the Brat) chats with…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
The All-in-One Care Hub: Matt Cagney on Building ShiftCare’s Legacy
If you’re tired of juggling apps, emails, and endless admin, this episode’s for you. Sarah sits down with Matt Cagney, CEO of ShiftCare, to unpack how his…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
💬 “If You’re Going to Be in This Sector — Don’t Be a Dickhead” | Nicole Doherty on Respect, Care & Leadership
In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Doherty, founder of Empowered Livability, who drops one of the realest lines you’ll ever hear in the NDIS sector: 👉 “If…
- Sarah Knows Support Workers
The Real Cost of Building an NDIS Startup in Australia: Resilience, Pivots & the Grind Nobody Shows You | MyAssista
The first few years of business? Brutal. 💀 But Cedar from MyAssista and Support Worker Store spill the truth: it’s the grind that builds the gold. In this…