Invoicing and getting paid as an independent support worker
How to invoice and get paid as an independent support worker — what an NDIS invoice must include, how plan managers pay, GST, and record-keeping.
Employee vs independent: why you invoice at all
What you need before you send your first invoice
What to put on a compliant support worker invoice
Who you actually send the invoice to
Setting your rate: price limit vs your take-home
GST and NDIS supports: do you charge it?
Tax, super and putting money aside
Getting paid on time and chasing late invoices
When an invoice is rejected: common mistakes to avoid
A realistic first-fortnight scenario
Records, compliance and staying job-ready
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ABN to work as an independent support worker?
Yes. To invoice participants or plan managers as an independent worker you need an Australian Business Number, which is free to apply for through the Australian Business Register. Without an ABN on your invoice, the payer may be legally required to withhold a large portion of your payment. An ABN also signals to the ATO that you are operating as a genuine sole trader rather than an employee. Avoid paid third-party services that charge to obtain an ABN, as the official register does it for nothing.
Is my invoice rate the same as the SCHADS award rate?
No, and this is a common and costly confusion. The SCHADS award (MA000100) sets what an employee is paid by an agency. As an independent contractor you set your own commercial rate, which must cover the tax, super, insurance and unpaid time an employer would otherwise carry. Separately, the NDIS price limit sets the maximum a provider can charge a plan, and it is a ceiling, not your take-home pay either. Always confirm employee rates through the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool and price limits through the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements, as both change, typically each July.
Do I charge GST on my support worker invoices?
Usually not. Most disability supports delivered to an NDIS participant are GST-free when the participant has a plan, the support is funded under it, and you have a written agreement that the support is covered by the plan. You also only need to register for GST once your turnover reaches the registration threshold, indicatively 75,000 dollars as at 2026. Because there are conditions and exceptions, confirm your specific situation with the ATO or a registered tax agent, and do not add GST to a support that is genuinely GST-free.
Can I work with any NDIS participant as an independent worker?
Not quite. You can generally work with and invoice self-managed and plan-managed participants without being a registered provider. Fully NDIA-managed (agency-managed) participants usually can only pay registered providers, so you would need to register through the NDIS Commission to access those funds. Always confirm how a participant's plan is managed, and that there is funding in the right budget category for your support, before agreeing to work.
How much should I put aside for tax and super?
As an indicative guide, many sole traders set aside somewhere in the range of 20 to 30 per cent of each payment for tax, but your actual rate depends on your total income, so confirm with the ATO or a tax agent. Nobody pays your super as a contractor, so it is wise to set aside a further amount yourself; the compulsory guarantee for employees rises to 12 per cent from 1 July 2026, which is a sensible target. Moving these amounts into a separate account as each invoice is paid prevents a nasty bill later.
What happens if a plan manager rejects my invoice?
Rejections are usually about detail, not dishonesty. Common causes are a missing ABN, a wrong or missing NDIS line item, a rate above the current price limit, or the participant running low on funds in that budget category. Ask the plan manager exactly why it was rejected, fix the specific issue, and resend the same invoice rather than starting over. Agreeing their preferred format and line items up front, before your first shift, prevents most rejections.
Do I still need a Worker Screening Check if I am independent?
Yes. Independent workers remain bound by the NDIS Code of Conduct, and most participants and plan managers will require a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check before they engage or pay you. Apply through your state or territory screening unit, and confirm the current fee with them, as costs vary by state and change over time. Renew it before it expires so it does not interrupt your work or your invoices, and keep your First Aid and CPR current alongside it.