How It Works
Accredicare Ltd provides varying types of accreditations (certificates) of different levels, recognising otherwise unofficial caregiving experience in a way that’s acceptable to employers.
Employers are then able to contact Accredicare to verify your accreditation, helping them to have confidence in you.
Types of Accreditations
-
Illness or Disability Carer
Responsible for the care of an individual with an illness or disability.
Example Case 1: A grandchild who assists with the at-home care of a grandparent with dementia and is responsible for feeding, clothing and bathing.
Example Case 2: A grandchild who is responsible for preparing and cooking meals, driving to appointments and grocery shopping for an elderly grandparent limited by frailty.
-
Mental Health Carer
Responsible for the care of an individual with mental ill health.
Example Case 1: A university student who helps with the monitoring of a sister with a purging-subtype anorexia.
Example Case 2: A university student who is responsible for the care of a severely depressed parent who lacks self-efficacy.
-
Social Support Carer
Support of an individual with a limited social network.
Example Case 1: A grandchild who visits a socially-isolated grandmother daily, performing welfare checks.
Example Case 2: A university student who takes a cousin with Tourette syndrome on weekly outings every Saturday.
Please note that this award is only granted to those who have social caregiving as a deliberate focus.
-
Family Support Caregiver
Individuals who care for the needs of other family members due to an incapacity for care by the parent or guardian due to a disability, illness or mental ill health.
Example Case 1: A university student who cares for his/her younger siblings whilst their single parent undergoes chemotherapy.
Example Case 2: A university student who cares for his/her cousins whilst an aunt undergoes rehabilitation following a work accident.
Levels of Accreditations
Level IV - Care equivalent of 35 hours or more per week
Level III - Care equivalent of 20 to 35 hours per week
Level II - Care equivalent of 10 to 20 hours per week
Level I - Care equivalent of between 5 and 10 hours per week
For the purposes of our assessments, care for fewer than five hours per week will not be accredited as, in most circumstances, this is not a sufficient barrier to work and volunteering. Please contact us if you feel that this does not reflect your experience so that we can explore how we can still work to support you.
Required Documents & FAQs
Carers are required to provide sufficient support documentation to evidence their claims for an accreditation.
A range of documentation is accepted; however, a completed Written Consent Form is required, with evidence of consent from the person(s) whose medical and private information will be discussed, including the carer themselves.
Please note - failing to tender a completed Written Consent Form will result in the immediate termination of the Case Assessment interview.
Any other supporting documents (such as letters from health professionals, medication prescriptions, Services Australia Carer Payment proof and statutory declarations) are welcome to help assist your accreditation process.
Who is Required for the Assessment?
Only the individual applying for accreditation is required to attend the assessment; however, the person(s) for whom care is being given is encouraged to attend wherever practicable.
For How Long Does My Accreditation Last?
All Accredicare certificates, once awarded, can be used by carers at any point in the future.
Carers, however, must ensure that they only present their accreditations for the time periods during which they were carers.
Retrospective accreditations are valid for the designated time period.
Prospective accreditations are valid for 6 months, after which individuals must be re-assessed to ensure that their care circumstances have not changed or to update their accreditation status if there have been changes.
If a re-assessment does not take place, the accreditation certificate is only valid for that six-month window.
Some prospective accreditations are valid for periods fewer than 6 months (e.g. when the period of rehabilitation for a parent is expected to only take three months).
Carers in these circumstances will have the shortened accreditation period noted on their certificates.
Please note that care for fewer than two months will not be accreditated.
Who Keeps My Information?
Accredicare does not keep any documentation provided during the assessment in any form; all supporting evidence must be kept by carers for the duration of their accreditation period.
Case Assessors and Accredicare will never keep doctor’s notes, prescriptions and/or any other supporting evidence.