What an independent support worker does
Independent support workers do the same kind of work as agency support workers. The difference is that you deal with them directly: you agree the hours, the tasks and the rate with the worker, and they invoice you or your plan manager.
Common supports include:
- Personal care, such as showering, dressing and eating
- Community access: outings, appointments, shopping, social activities
- Help around the home and with meal preparation
- Building daily living skills and independence
Who can use an independent support worker
If you are self managed or plan managed, you can use registered or unregistered providers, so you can use an unregistered independent worker. If your plan is agency managed, you can only use registered providers, so you can only use an independent worker who is registered with the NDIS Commission.
Some independent workers are registered sole traders. Ask, and check the NDIS Commission's Find a registered provider search if registration matters to you.
Why people choose independent workers
Many participants like having the same person every time, someone who knows their routines, home and preferences. Working directly can also mean more say over who supports you and when.
The trade off is that there is no agency behind the worker. If they are sick or on holiday, you need your own backup plan, and you take on more of the organising yourself.
Rates and price limits
For 2026/27, the standard weekday daytime price limit for self care support is $73.58 an hour in most of Australia, with higher limits for evenings, weekends, public holidays and remote areas. If you are plan managed, your worker cannot charge above the price limit. If you are self managed, you are not bound by price limits in the same way, but they are a useful benchmark.
The NDIA's Annual Pricing Review recommended lower prices for some supports from unregistered providers from 1 January 2027, including 10% less for social, community and civic participation. As of October 2026 this is still under consultation and not final.
Worker screening and safety
Unregistered providers are not legally required to have an NDIS worker screening clearance, although the NDIS Commission recommends it. If you are self managed or plan managed, you can decide to only accept workers with a current clearance, and you can check a clearance through the Commission's self managed participants portal.
Every NDIS provider and worker, registered or not, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and you can complain to the NDIS Commission about an unregistered worker. Before you start, ask for a written service agreement, proof of insurance, a clearance number and references.
What changes from 1 July 2027
From 1 July 2027 mandatory registration starts expanding to providers of higher risk supports. The government lists personal care, daily living supports and supports in closed settings as examples. The rollout runs until December 2030, and the final list of which supports are in scope is still being worked out.
A new provider enrolment system also starts on 1 July 2027, requiring basic identifying information from most NDIS providers, with everyone in scope enrolled by December 2027.
- For participants: if your independent worker mainly provides personal care, ask whether they plan to register
- For workers: registration means meeting the NDIS Practice Standards and passing an audit, which takes time and money, so it pays to start early
- Participants can still choose unregistered providers for lower risk supports, so which supports end up in scope matters a lot
Tips for working with an independent support worker
Agree in writing what the worker will do, the hourly rate, travel costs and the cancellation policy. Ask them to invoice promptly: from 1 December 2026 claims must be made within 90 days of the support being delivered. Keep invoices and records for at least 3 years.
Plan for cover. Many participants use two or three independent workers, or one independent worker plus an agency, so a single absence does not leave them without help.