Health Care Support is a broad term which encompasses the frontline, daily and hands-on care of patients in hospitals, private clinics, and community care settings. It involves a wide health care team with interacting functions which serve to support and strengthen quality patient care and the safe and efficient operation of hospitals, health care institutions, and other primary and community health providers.

Health Care Support Workers and Assistants work in hospitals, aged care residences, private clinics, and other community health settings. They support patients with personal hygiene, mobility, dressing, and feeding. They help keep health care equipment and environments safe, operational, and clean. Health workers support the wider health care team. The roles are varied with some requiring a minimum Certificate III in Individual Support (or similar, or on-the-job training), while others require tertiary qualifications and specialised skills.