Taking time off when you're an independent support worker
No paid leave as a sole trader NDIS support worker? Here's how to plan holidays, save for time off, notify clients, arrange cover and avoid burnout.
The self-employment reality: no paid leave
Save for time off like it's a bill
Plan ahead and pick your timing
Notifying your participants
Arranging backup cover
Handling sick days and the unexpected
Avoiding burnout the rest of the year
Frequently asked questions
Do independent support workers get paid leave?
No. As a sole trader you have no employer, so there's no paid annual leave, sick leave or public holiday pay. Your income stops when your shifts stop. The solution is to build time off into your pricing and savings — set money aside from every payment into a separate leave fund so you can afford to take breaks.
How much should I save for time off as a support worker?
Work out how many weeks off you want across the year, including a buffer for sick days, then estimate your living costs for that period and divide it across your working weeks. Skim that amount from every payment into a separate savings account, on top of what you already set aside for tax and super. Confirm your…
How much notice should I give participants before a holiday?
As much as you reasonably can — weeks rather than days for a planned break. Tell participants early, confirm the dates in writing, be clear which shifts are affected and when you'll return, and explain the plan for their supports while you're away. Your service agreement should ideally set out how leave and notice…
What happens to my clients when I'm on leave?
It depends on their needs. Some can manage a short pause; others rely on essential daily supports and need cover. Build a small network of trusted, properly screened and insured fellow independents who can step in, brief them well with the participant involved, and arrange this in advance rather than at the last…
What do I do if I'm too sick to work?
Don't support participants when you're contagious or unfit — duty of care protects them and you. Have a simple sick-day protocol ready: contact your backup workers, notify affected participants quickly with a saved message you can adapt, and lean on your emergency savings buffer. Keeping some slack in your schedule…
How do independent support workers avoid burnout?
Cap your clients and hours at a sustainable level, build recovery time between demanding shifts, keep firm boundaries so work doesn't fill every evening, stay connected to other workers, and actually take your planned breaks. Watch for early signs like dread, exhaustion and resentment, and ease off before hitting the…