How to become an independent support worker
How to become an independent (sole trader) disability support worker in Australia — ABN, insurance, NDIS screening, setting your rates, tax and finding clients.
What is an independent support worker (and how it differs from being employed)?
Is going independent right for you? Pros, cons and who it suits
Step by step: how to set yourself up as an independent support worker
ABN, GST and business structure: the paperwork explained
Insurance you need before your first shift
Screening, the Code of Conduct and your compliance duties
Setting your rate: what to charge without conflating the two 'prices'
Penalty rates and loadings: the structure to build into your pricing
Finding clients and running the business day to day
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a registered NDIS provider to work independently?
Not necessarily. Individual support workers can support self-managed and plan-managed participants without being a registered NDIS provider, because those participants are free to choose unregistered workers. You generally must be registered to support agency-managed (NDIA-managed) participants. Registration is a bigger, costlier compliance process, so most independent workers start out unregistered and support self- or plan-managed clients — but confirm the current rules with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
How much can I charge as an independent support worker?
You set your own rate, but it should sit above the SCHADS employee wage (so you cover your own super, leave and insurance) and at or below the relevant NDIS price limit (the maximum a plan can be charged). These are two different numbers: the award wage is what an employee is paid, and the NDIS price limit is what a provider can charge. Look up the current SCHADS rates via the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool and the current price limits in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements before you set your figure, as both change each year.
Is it free to get an ABN?
Yes. Applying for an ABN through the government's Australian Business Register is completely free. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge a fee to 'process' your ABN application — you do not need them, and they are not the official register. The application is straightforward and you can do it yourself online in most cases.
What insurance do I actually need before I start?
At a minimum you need public liability and professional indemnity insurance, which cover client injury, property damage and claims that your care caused harm. Because you have no employer and therefore no workers' compensation, personal accident or income protection cover is strongly recommended too — if you injure yourself, it may be your only income safety net. If you drive clients, make sure your vehicle policy covers business use, as standard personal cover often excludes it.
Do I have to charge GST?
Often no. You only need to register for GST once your turnover passes the registration threshold (indicative, as at 2026, around 75,000 dollars a year — confirm the current figure with the ATO). On top of that, many disability supports delivered to an NDIS participant under a written agreement are GST-free, so plenty of independent workers do not charge GST at all. Because it depends on your specific situation, check with the ATO or an accountant rather than assuming.
What about my superannuation if I'm self-employed?
As a sole trader you are responsible for your own super — no employer pays it for you. Contributing is optional, but strongly worth building into your rate and paying into a fund yourself, otherwise you retire with nothing put aside from this work. The super guarantee rate rises to 12 per cent from 1 July 2026, which is a useful benchmark for how much to set aside. You may also be able to claim personal super contributions as a tax deduction — check the current rules with the ATO.
Can I be independent and employed at the same time?
Yes, and many workers do exactly this. Holding a part-time or casual job with a provider gives you a stable income base, paid leave entitlements and an employer's insurance for those shifts, while you build an independent client base on the side. Just keep the two clearly separate — your independent work needs its own ABN, insurance and records, and you must not let a single provider control your independent work in a way that blurs into sham contracting.