Scaling up beyond a solo independent support worker
Thinking of growing beyond solo NDIS work? A guide to subcontracting, becoming a small provider, registration, insurance, tax and whether to scale or stay lean.
The ceiling of solo work
Option one: stay lean (and why it's often the right call)
Option two: subcontracting to other workers
Option three: becoming a small provider
Registration: does scaling change it?
Insurance, tax and admin all change
Deciding whether to scale or stay
Frequently asked questions
Can an independent support worker hire other workers?
Yes, but structure matters. If other workers run their own businesses with their own ABN, insurance and control, that's subcontracting. If you direct their work, set hours and pay for their time, they may be employees — triggering award wages, super, PAYG withholding and workers' comp. The distinction is about…
Do I need to register with the NDIS to scale up?
Not necessarily — you can grow a larger unregistered operation supporting plan-managed and self-managed participants. But scaling often makes registration worth reconsidering, since it unlocks NDIA-managed participants and signals quality. The trade-off is meeting the NDIS Practice Standards, audits and ongoing…
Should I switch from sole trader to a company when I grow?
Possibly. A growing business with staff and liabilities is a common reason people move from sole trader to a company structure, for liability protection and tax flexibility. It also adds cost and admin. There's no single right answer — weigh the protection against the complexity and decide with an accountant based on…
How does insurance change if I bring on other workers?
Your original cover was written for you working alone, so it needs reviewing. Involving other workers or becoming an employer affects your public liability and professional indemnity, and employing staff means you'll need workers' compensation. Always tell your insurer exactly what's changing so your cover actually…
Is it better to stay solo or scale up?
It depends entirely on what you want. Staying lean means low overheads, simplicity and staying hands-on with participants — often why people got into the work. Scaling can grow income but shifts you toward managing rather than supporting, with more cost, risk and responsibility. Make the choice deliberately, and…
Does becoming a small provider mean I stop doing support work?
Largely, yes. Turning a solo practice into a small provider that coordinates multiple workers and participants shifts your days toward rostering, quality, admin and management, with much less direct support. It's closer to changing careers than just getting busier. Many people miss the hands-on work, so be honest about…