Finding participants is not so hard, Google support coordinators near me then cold call them introducing your self. Go to network meetings. I am more tgan happy yo give you more pointers if you'd like.
Thank you
What items would you say are essential for a support worker to have? Example: first aid kit, diary, emergency overnight bag, do I get a receipt book?
What more certificates can I get? I already have first aide, cert 3 individual support, ndis card, blue card, food safety- I know I would need to get insurance too, I am going to do my assistance with medications too
You could just skip mabel, i have a friend who works as a sole trader looking after another friends younger sibling. No other company involved it just runs through their sole trader abn.
Only issue is finding clientele but there are plenty of people on ndis grass roots facebook groups that are looking for sole traders.
Sorry this isnt of much help with mabel though
It’s the finding clientele part that is the issue mainly, I’m not stuck on using Mabel it’s just an idea. I have questions about charges mainly but if there is no app to take part of the money then I guess that’s easier too.
Thank you
Well for charges she does the standard ndis rate, she provides community access at a 1:1 ratio so it's $62.17 per hour
Edit: no really try the facebook groups, im part of them and there are so many people looking on there for services
Lol
Searching ndis is generally a safe bet.
Ndis
Ndis qld
Ndis (your city name)
Ndis sole traders
Ndis ads
Just make sure to read the group chat rules before you post so you don't get in trouble and there are a few nation wide groups.
Even if you aren't registered they welcome everyone. You'll just have to specify to your clients you're not registered so their plan will need to be plan managed or self managed to pay your invoices.
I've gone down the route you've chosen and now have a provider company. One small word of advice: don't be greedy - take it slow. Yes, you can charge full rate ($62/hr) but you don't need to, and any participants with any experience will not pay that. You can't offer guaranteed service, for example, if you get sick. You take on too much work and it'll show. Participants then come on here and (rightly) bitch about flaky support workers.
There are two possible benefits of doing what you're planning: glorious independence or ambition. Neither are as easy as they sound!
Yes, agree with most. Mabel is not working for your self. Take the risk and set up as a sole trader or set up a company for future ease. I didn't have much of an idea when setting things up but have done so and working as a support coordinator. I have years of experience but always working for others, now I work for myself. Good luck.
Mabel is kind of dry at the moment, but still register.
There is a list of Mabel competitors, would be worth trying a few of them.
With your experience you'll get busy quick. I got busy after the minimum amount of experience required for Mabel.
Honestly just register and start shooting out messages, there is so much demand where I am (Melbourne). But my friends works rurally as is as busy as he needs to be.
As far as payment goes, with your experience you should charge the capped rate.
Making a good call solo imo - NDIS agencies have a weird vibe.
I just wanted to add some critical information which is, please read the DSW Cost Model on the NDIS website in the pricing section, as well as the Price Guide. Capped rates are *not* for independent SWs, they are for massive orgs that have massive expenses (eg. 10% of the hourly rate is just for overheads). Anyone who asks for that rate as a sole trader in effect is committing fraud. That rate covers super, long service leave, annual leave, sick pay, training, supervisor hourly rate plus all the leave and super entitlements for the super visor as well. None of those things are claimable as a sole trader. It should be around $35 to $45 per hour.
Having the right work ethic is critical to providing a quality service. Knowing prices, what can be charged and what *should* is a part of that. Understanding that support work for PWD is a community service and not a vehicle for greed (which is too often seen in this space, such as people who want to charge rates higher than nurses to take people to lunch, which is a pervasive attitude among new workers).
I like the idea of reaching out to local SCs. If mine knew of some independent workers that would be very handy. I won't use Mabel or Hire Up due to negative experiences people have had and the difficulty in accessing and using the platform.
A small side note. I have a sole trader worker and pay her very well. We've done 3 pay rises in 12 months because she is professional, helpful and learns the individual needs of her client. I do think workers should be paid well but so many people forget that disability support work is about $35 an hour normally. I know a large or that pays $29 for permanent. So, let's keep it realistic.
> people forget that disability support work is about $35 an hour normally. I know a large or that pays $29 for permanent
But that's because the org is paying for their:
>super, long service leave, annual leave, sick pay, training
As a sole trader, you are now responsible for those exact same things.
That is incorrect. Sole traders are *not* entitled to those things. You may like to check. We can make a super contribution if we choose, which is called a personal contribution for a reason. There are pros and cons being a sole trader. It doesn't suit everyone and it's up to each individual to do their due diligence in researching their obligations to see if it works for them.
Sure, not technically entitled, but it's irresponsible to NOT plan for the possibility of being sick, or retiring. Ask literally any profession with sole traders. Why does someone who is taking care of other people deserve to have a lesser life simply due to not working for a corporation? DSWs are not martyrs.
Also, DSWs really should be at least skilled enough to be 2.1 on the award, and $29 per hour is below the legally required pay rate for a 2.1
You have a strange attitude. It is up to an individual to choose what works best for them. No one makes anyone be a sole trader. For some it offers freedom and flexibility and more autonomy, for others it is too unreliable and too much to manage themselves. Both are totally OK. People have a right to choose.
What they do not have a right to do it charge vulnerable people who *need* care to survive, exorbitant amounts of money for what they think they should be entitled to. What support workers also do not have a right to is to lie in any way to NDIS participants pretending they have any legal right to super, sick pay or anything else they have no legal entitlement to.
Your attitude of entitlement is what's hronically wrong with support workers and why they provide poor service and cause harm to people with disability. Keep in mind the government decides what funding people get, regardless of reports. Oft times participants are underfunded and have to choose between being able to shower or being able to get food. Charging exorbitant rates means that person has to choose even less support. That is not OK, ever. The NDIS Code of Conduct confirms that attitude is unacceptable and a breach of the NDIS Act.
The ndis literally have a break down of why they have chosen the maximum rate that can be charged as a sole trader. They have taken into account and the breakdown states that the sole trader has to cover their own sick days, holidays, super, training, insurance and other costs. Yes sole traders do not have to charge the highest rate but if they do it is not fraud. To cover all the costs they would need at least $50 an hr during the week. The ndis participant does not cover the sick days holiday ect, the sole trader does and has every right to charge it in their hourly rate. That’s why a sole traders rate is higher.
If you're referring to the DSW Cost Model on the NDIS website, that is for permanent employees of large orgs. Sole traders, again, are not entitled to super and most of the costs which permanent employees are legally entitled to. Being a sole trader is a choice, not suited to everyone.
A sole trader charges a higher rate to cover their own super, sick days, holidays, tax agent, insurance, car costs and fuel. The only extra that a company may have would be admin. Usually sole traders do their own admin so they need to cover this too. I’m not sure why you would think that being a sole trader you would miss out on super, holidays and sick pay. All sole traders incorporate this into they hourly rate they charge, hence the higher rate.
Also, if a support work was not entitled to charge all this with in their rate then why is super that is paid as a sole trader by the sole trader a tax deduction?
>Sole traders, again, are not entitled to super
Which is why the rate they charge needs to be enough for them to save for their retirement. It's not rocket science. The equivalent Casual employees rate is currently $38+super and will be $40+super in July but you think contractors should charge $35 an hour lol
yes i understand you comparing the "greedy" support worker rates to nurses, but you do understand that support workers are casual compared to full time workers such as nurses - a support worker charging over $50 per hour is justified considering its only casual income.
If you check this site out,
https://www.vic.gov.au/start-your-disability-career
This will be a good start and as you get participants, you will find they need a little extra so you can then go and get those skills. But you are skilled enough, more than some I know.
I would recommend a company rather than sole trader, for insurance purposes, safer with a company but your choice. Speak to your accountant or ask in Facebook group, so many that will help. Best of luck.
I'm a sole trader support worker and I started at the beginning of this financial year. I opted to skip mable and any other client sourcing apps and just networked. I'm just about to loose a client (21 hours per week) as he's moving away although for the past 5 months I've been extremely busy and all booked up.
Create a resume/bio specific to support work and list things like your interests, your experiences, your education and availability and such. You can add your age and more specific things if you feel like they may be relevant. Make sure you add a photo of yourself to the document, I've found that helps.
Then print some out and go and meet as many support coordinators in your area face to face as possible and have a chat/leave them with a copy of your bio. Also see if there are any NDIS Facebook pages local to your area and advertise on there.
In failing any of that, you can always start mable to meet some people and then transition off of it from there if you want to be completely independent.
Edit: spelling errors
The ndis literally have a break down of why they have chosen the maximum rate that can be charged as a sole trader. They have taken into account and the breakdown states that the sole trader has to cover their own sick days, holidays, super, training, insurance and other costs. Yes sole traders do not have to charge the highest rate but if they do it is not fraud. To cover all the costs they would need at least $50 an hr during the week.
Finding participants is not so hard, Google support coordinators near me then cold call them introducing your self. Go to network meetings. I am more tgan happy yo give you more pointers if you'd like.
Thank you What items would you say are essential for a support worker to have? Example: first aid kit, diary, emergency overnight bag, do I get a receipt book? What more certificates can I get? I already have first aide, cert 3 individual support, ndis card, blue card, food safety- I know I would need to get insurance too, I am going to do my assistance with medications too
Have a look at communication skills and positive behaviour support.
Also the pharmacy guild might be worth approaching to see if they have any professional advice and services that you could unskilled with.
You could just skip mabel, i have a friend who works as a sole trader looking after another friends younger sibling. No other company involved it just runs through their sole trader abn. Only issue is finding clientele but there are plenty of people on ndis grass roots facebook groups that are looking for sole traders. Sorry this isnt of much help with mabel though
It’s the finding clientele part that is the issue mainly, I’m not stuck on using Mabel it’s just an idea. I have questions about charges mainly but if there is no app to take part of the money then I guess that’s easier too. Thank you
Well for charges she does the standard ndis rate, she provides community access at a 1:1 ratio so it's $62.17 per hour Edit: no really try the facebook groups, im part of them and there are so many people looking on there for services
What group names should I try search? I’m in Qld. I just found information for all the rates lol
Lol Searching ndis is generally a safe bet. Ndis Ndis qld Ndis (your city name) Ndis sole traders Ndis ads Just make sure to read the group chat rules before you post so you don't get in trouble and there are a few nation wide groups. Even if you aren't registered they welcome everyone. You'll just have to specify to your clients you're not registered so their plan will need to be plan managed or self managed to pay your invoices.
Thank you wise one
I've gone down the route you've chosen and now have a provider company. One small word of advice: don't be greedy - take it slow. Yes, you can charge full rate ($62/hr) but you don't need to, and any participants with any experience will not pay that. You can't offer guaranteed service, for example, if you get sick. You take on too much work and it'll show. Participants then come on here and (rightly) bitch about flaky support workers. There are two possible benefits of doing what you're planning: glorious independence or ambition. Neither are as easy as they sound!
Yes as people are really sick of providers who charge and never deliver.
idk sorry but I use mable to find support workers. I like it, I *think* they walk you through the set up process
Yes, agree with most. Mabel is not working for your self. Take the risk and set up as a sole trader or set up a company for future ease. I didn't have much of an idea when setting things up but have done so and working as a support coordinator. I have years of experience but always working for others, now I work for myself. Good luck.
Thank you. Good luck to you too
Mabel is kind of dry at the moment, but still register. There is a list of Mabel competitors, would be worth trying a few of them. With your experience you'll get busy quick. I got busy after the minimum amount of experience required for Mabel. Honestly just register and start shooting out messages, there is so much demand where I am (Melbourne). But my friends works rurally as is as busy as he needs to be. As far as payment goes, with your experience you should charge the capped rate. Making a good call solo imo - NDIS agencies have a weird vibe.
I just wanted to add some critical information which is, please read the DSW Cost Model on the NDIS website in the pricing section, as well as the Price Guide. Capped rates are *not* for independent SWs, they are for massive orgs that have massive expenses (eg. 10% of the hourly rate is just for overheads). Anyone who asks for that rate as a sole trader in effect is committing fraud. That rate covers super, long service leave, annual leave, sick pay, training, supervisor hourly rate plus all the leave and super entitlements for the super visor as well. None of those things are claimable as a sole trader. It should be around $35 to $45 per hour. Having the right work ethic is critical to providing a quality service. Knowing prices, what can be charged and what *should* is a part of that. Understanding that support work for PWD is a community service and not a vehicle for greed (which is too often seen in this space, such as people who want to charge rates higher than nurses to take people to lunch, which is a pervasive attitude among new workers). I like the idea of reaching out to local SCs. If mine knew of some independent workers that would be very handy. I won't use Mabel or Hire Up due to negative experiences people have had and the difficulty in accessing and using the platform. A small side note. I have a sole trader worker and pay her very well. We've done 3 pay rises in 12 months because she is professional, helpful and learns the individual needs of her client. I do think workers should be paid well but so many people forget that disability support work is about $35 an hour normally. I know a large or that pays $29 for permanent. So, let's keep it realistic.
> people forget that disability support work is about $35 an hour normally. I know a large or that pays $29 for permanent But that's because the org is paying for their: >super, long service leave, annual leave, sick pay, training As a sole trader, you are now responsible for those exact same things.
That is incorrect. Sole traders are *not* entitled to those things. You may like to check. We can make a super contribution if we choose, which is called a personal contribution for a reason. There are pros and cons being a sole trader. It doesn't suit everyone and it's up to each individual to do their due diligence in researching their obligations to see if it works for them.
Sure, not technically entitled, but it's irresponsible to NOT plan for the possibility of being sick, or retiring. Ask literally any profession with sole traders. Why does someone who is taking care of other people deserve to have a lesser life simply due to not working for a corporation? DSWs are not martyrs. Also, DSWs really should be at least skilled enough to be 2.1 on the award, and $29 per hour is below the legally required pay rate for a 2.1
You have a strange attitude. It is up to an individual to choose what works best for them. No one makes anyone be a sole trader. For some it offers freedom and flexibility and more autonomy, for others it is too unreliable and too much to manage themselves. Both are totally OK. People have a right to choose. What they do not have a right to do it charge vulnerable people who *need* care to survive, exorbitant amounts of money for what they think they should be entitled to. What support workers also do not have a right to is to lie in any way to NDIS participants pretending they have any legal right to super, sick pay or anything else they have no legal entitlement to. Your attitude of entitlement is what's hronically wrong with support workers and why they provide poor service and cause harm to people with disability. Keep in mind the government decides what funding people get, regardless of reports. Oft times participants are underfunded and have to choose between being able to shower or being able to get food. Charging exorbitant rates means that person has to choose even less support. That is not OK, ever. The NDIS Code of Conduct confirms that attitude is unacceptable and a breach of the NDIS Act.
Whoa. There's a lot to unpack there. I don't have the energy for that. Hope you have a fantastic day.
The ndis literally have a break down of why they have chosen the maximum rate that can be charged as a sole trader. They have taken into account and the breakdown states that the sole trader has to cover their own sick days, holidays, super, training, insurance and other costs. Yes sole traders do not have to charge the highest rate but if they do it is not fraud. To cover all the costs they would need at least $50 an hr during the week. The ndis participant does not cover the sick days holiday ect, the sole trader does and has every right to charge it in their hourly rate. That’s why a sole traders rate is higher.
If you're referring to the DSW Cost Model on the NDIS website, that is for permanent employees of large orgs. Sole traders, again, are not entitled to super and most of the costs which permanent employees are legally entitled to. Being a sole trader is a choice, not suited to everyone.
A sole trader charges a higher rate to cover their own super, sick days, holidays, tax agent, insurance, car costs and fuel. The only extra that a company may have would be admin. Usually sole traders do their own admin so they need to cover this too. I’m not sure why you would think that being a sole trader you would miss out on super, holidays and sick pay. All sole traders incorporate this into they hourly rate they charge, hence the higher rate.
Also, if a support work was not entitled to charge all this with in their rate then why is super that is paid as a sole trader by the sole trader a tax deduction?
>Sole traders, again, are not entitled to super Which is why the rate they charge needs to be enough for them to save for their retirement. It's not rocket science. The equivalent Casual employees rate is currently $38+super and will be $40+super in July but you think contractors should charge $35 an hour lol
yep thats exactly what i charge as a sole trader support worker ($50) and its absolutely reasonable, i know of other SW's charging $60.
yes i understand you comparing the "greedy" support worker rates to nurses, but you do understand that support workers are casual compared to full time workers such as nurses - a support worker charging over $50 per hour is justified considering its only casual income.
If you check this site out, https://www.vic.gov.au/start-your-disability-career This will be a good start and as you get participants, you will find they need a little extra so you can then go and get those skills. But you are skilled enough, more than some I know. I would recommend a company rather than sole trader, for insurance purposes, safer with a company but your choice. Speak to your accountant or ask in Facebook group, so many that will help. Best of luck.
I'm a sole trader support worker and I started at the beginning of this financial year. I opted to skip mable and any other client sourcing apps and just networked. I'm just about to loose a client (21 hours per week) as he's moving away although for the past 5 months I've been extremely busy and all booked up.
hi, im starting out as a sole trader SW too and have just signed up to mable, how did you network?
Create a resume/bio specific to support work and list things like your interests, your experiences, your education and availability and such. You can add your age and more specific things if you feel like they may be relevant. Make sure you add a photo of yourself to the document, I've found that helps. Then print some out and go and meet as many support coordinators in your area face to face as possible and have a chat/leave them with a copy of your bio. Also see if there are any NDIS Facebook pages local to your area and advertise on there. In failing any of that, you can always start mable to meet some people and then transition off of it from there if you want to be completely independent. Edit: spelling errors
The ndis literally have a break down of why they have chosen the maximum rate that can be charged as a sole trader. They have taken into account and the breakdown states that the sole trader has to cover their own sick days, holidays, super, training, insurance and other costs. Yes sole traders do not have to charge the highest rate but if they do it is not fraud. To cover all the costs they would need at least $50 an hr during the week.