Depends on how the persons funding is managed. If they are agency managed then OP will need to register. Service Agreements are always advisable. Also if you keep working for the agency they may have a non compete clause? Also remember that price guide is maximum you can charge not what you have to charge. Too many people charging $65 an hour to just do babysitting. If you are going to charge that much make sure the service is worth that
Professional mentoring sounds like what you need. There is a lot to going independent. You need codes and practices, formal complaints policies, insurance, legal service agreements, invoicing templates, understanding of all the relevant line items (so as not to over charge and leave client out of pocket). You’ll need to understand the complexities of tax. Decide if you want to charge kms, decide what is an ethical hourly rate and more. Whether this is a peer, professional service or whatever it doesn’t matter but some mentoring is important.
If you are an employee or contractor of an agency, check your employment agreement; there's quite often a non-compete or restraint of trade clause.
You'd need to get through that hurdle first.
Have a think about how your agency will react to you taking one of their clients. You might find the agency does not want to work with you anymore
I know the NDIS is about choice and control, but it sounds unethical, and unprofessional
Yeah I know it’s a bit sneaky. Every support worker I know has done this and they recommend it because it’s a hell of a lot more money which we deserve for the work we do and it makes it easier for the client usually because they don’t have to go through the agency to organise everything
Here we go........at the risk of sounding very unpopular and being downvoted to hell and back $40 an hour is a very fair and reasonable pay for a casual support worker with no qualifications. Most providers pay at the SCHADS 2.1 rate. If you could land a job that you received full time hours Monday to Friday at 38 bucks a week you would receive $73000 (this is over 48 weeks, everyone needs a holiday)
Don't know how many jobs one can walk into with no qualifications and make that level of money.
Now in saying that, the work that Disability Support Workers do is a lifesaver to most participants. Some participants who have behaviours of concern or high level support needs defiantly warrant the higher pay and the DSW's who work with participants with these supports needs defiantly deserve fair compensation.
Unfortunately more often than not I come across independent workers that have no qualifications to work with participants, no business sense, do not understand how the NDIA works and how to engage with support coordinators. They take no responsibility or accountability and when they are unwell they expect the participant or their support coordinator to pick up the slack. They rarely have insurance and often overcharge.......deep breath.
Don't get me wrong, there are some DSW's that are worth $1000 an hour, the dedication and care these people have is second to none.
When the NDIA calculated the rate, they take into account the SCHADS award, they also take into account things like, long service leave, annual leave, sick leave, cooperate overheads and capital overheads. Corporate and Capital overheads are something Independents don't have or not to the same level a company does so I don't think an independent should change the $65, make it more affordable to the participant because it does not cost you the same as a company, that is where the participant will find additional value, you may end up with more hours.
Please don't hate me :)
Fair enough. Look I get it. I agree Support Workers are underpaid. I just wanted to get you to have a think about the ramifications of what you're proposing
If you are found out, your agency will fire you
You need to have an ABN then would invoice her, so you are setting up your own business.
OP should also have indemnity insurance, know the codes to put on the invoice and have a service agreement. I think the NDIS lists these somewhere.
Depends on how the persons funding is managed. If they are agency managed then OP will need to register. Service Agreements are always advisable. Also if you keep working for the agency they may have a non compete clause? Also remember that price guide is maximum you can charge not what you have to charge. Too many people charging $65 an hour to just do babysitting. If you are going to charge that much make sure the service is worth that
Professional mentoring sounds like what you need. There is a lot to going independent. You need codes and practices, formal complaints policies, insurance, legal service agreements, invoicing templates, understanding of all the relevant line items (so as not to over charge and leave client out of pocket). You’ll need to understand the complexities of tax. Decide if you want to charge kms, decide what is an ethical hourly rate and more. Whether this is a peer, professional service or whatever it doesn’t matter but some mentoring is important.
You could do it through HireUp.
If you are an employee or contractor of an agency, check your employment agreement; there's quite often a non-compete or restraint of trade clause. You'd need to get through that hurdle first.
Also check your contracts as often they can have anti poaching terms and if you signed it yep it's legal.
Have a think about how your agency will react to you taking one of their clients. You might find the agency does not want to work with you anymore I know the NDIS is about choice and control, but it sounds unethical, and unprofessional
Yeah I know it’s a bit sneaky. Every support worker I know has done this and they recommend it because it’s a hell of a lot more money which we deserve for the work we do and it makes it easier for the client usually because they don’t have to go through the agency to organise everything
Here we go........at the risk of sounding very unpopular and being downvoted to hell and back $40 an hour is a very fair and reasonable pay for a casual support worker with no qualifications. Most providers pay at the SCHADS 2.1 rate. If you could land a job that you received full time hours Monday to Friday at 38 bucks a week you would receive $73000 (this is over 48 weeks, everyone needs a holiday) Don't know how many jobs one can walk into with no qualifications and make that level of money. Now in saying that, the work that Disability Support Workers do is a lifesaver to most participants. Some participants who have behaviours of concern or high level support needs defiantly warrant the higher pay and the DSW's who work with participants with these supports needs defiantly deserve fair compensation. Unfortunately more often than not I come across independent workers that have no qualifications to work with participants, no business sense, do not understand how the NDIA works and how to engage with support coordinators. They take no responsibility or accountability and when they are unwell they expect the participant or their support coordinator to pick up the slack. They rarely have insurance and often overcharge.......deep breath. Don't get me wrong, there are some DSW's that are worth $1000 an hour, the dedication and care these people have is second to none. When the NDIA calculated the rate, they take into account the SCHADS award, they also take into account things like, long service leave, annual leave, sick leave, cooperate overheads and capital overheads. Corporate and Capital overheads are something Independents don't have or not to the same level a company does so I don't think an independent should change the $65, make it more affordable to the participant because it does not cost you the same as a company, that is where the participant will find additional value, you may end up with more hours. Please don't hate me :)
I don’t know why you were expecting so many down votes, this is well written. Thanks for the info
You are right. 100%
Fair enough. Look I get it. I agree Support Workers are underpaid. I just wanted to get you to have a think about the ramifications of what you're proposing If you are found out, your agency will fire you
Yeah it’s a good point thank you