Care work

Home care and companionship for older or sick people

Help older or recovering people at home with daily care, meals, company and getting to appointments, privately or through a care agency.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Patient, caring people with real care experience (family, church, a care course) who can be reliable for fixed shifts.

In South Africa: Needed everywhere, including towns; works from a phone.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 8 hours a week · age 18+
  • Nursing or caring for people (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

Agencies charge families R695 for an 8-hour day (Carers for You, 2026); what a carer takes home is a share of that and is not published. Never accept less than the national minimum wage of R30.23 an hour.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R0 to R2 000
Every month
Transport, a basic first aid certificate, gloves and supplies.
Payment fees
None through an agency; agree weekly EFT or cash with private families.
Margin
Not applicable: you are paid for your time.

How it is paid: Per shift or per day, through an agency or privately. Our viability score for it: 65 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Ask two local care agencies what they pay carers and what they need from you
    • Tell your church or clinic network that you are available
    • Success signal: a first paid shift within a month

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Write down your care experience and two references
    • Book a basic first aid course
    • Call one agency

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Agree pay and times in writing with every family
    • Keep a shift record
    • Ask satisfied families to recommend you

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Consider a recognised care course for better-paid work
    • Decide how many shifts a week you can do without burning out
    • Build a small list of regular families

Agencies check references first; private clients come through trust and referrals. First income usually takes 7 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Home care and companionship: from your first family to a steady list of shifts

25 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Families with an elderly parent, people home from hospital, frail-care clients of agencies.

Families who cannot be there all day and need someone they trust.

Is there demand?

Care agencies publish what they charge families: R695 for an 8-hour day and R750 for a 12-hour night (Carers for You, 2026). Carers employed by an agency are paid a share of this, which agencies do not publish.

Home-care agenciesWord of mouth through churches and clinicsRetirement villages

Getting customers

Register with a local care agency, or offer your services through people who already trust you: church, clinic staff, neighbours.

Word of mouth and referralsIn-person networkingApplying for jobs or platform rolesWork handed out by an app or platform

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Physical strain and emotional load
  • Late or missed payment from private families: agree weekly payment in writing
  • Medical tasks beyond your training: only a registered nurse should give some care

Competition: Moderate; trust and reliability decide who gets work.

Room to grow: Your own hours only.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Carers do not need registration for non-medical care, but nursing tasks are for SANC-registered nurses.
  • A first aid course is a sensible start.
  • If a family employs you directly, they are your employer and the national minimum wage applies.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received and every cost.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start home care and companionship for older or sick people in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R2 000. Recurring costs: Transport, a basic first aid certificate, gloves and supplies.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Agencies check references first; private clients come through trust and referrals.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Carers do not need registration for non-medical care, but nursing tasks are for SANC-registered nurses. A first aid course is a sensible start. If a family employs you directly, they are your employer and the national minimum wage applies. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn; keep records of every payment received and every cost.

Sources (4)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy