NDIS Support Worker Contractor: Am I being Underpaid?
Looking for insight from people working in disability support/NDIS in NSW.
I’ve been supporting the same woman (who lives alone) for 5 years as a genuine independent contractor (ABN, no annual leave, sick leave, or paid holidays, and I pay my own tax and super). I started the role when I was 21 and was happy with the rates at the time, but I’ve only had one pay increase in 5 years, so I’m trying to work out whether the current pay is still reasonable, particularly since I’m a contractor not an employee.
I invoice my clients dad, who then claims through an NDIS provider and pays the support workers himself. These aren’t rates I set, they’re the rates the family set for me.
My regular shift is:
- 6pm–9pm active support
- Overnight sleepover (inactive)
- 7am–8am active support
Current rates:
- $45/hr weekdays
- $50/hr Saturdays
- $63/hr Sundays
- $55 for the entire overnight sleepover
I work three consecutive overnight shifts each week, which significantly affects my personal and social life (I have a professional full time job outside of this) and limits what I can plan around those days. The family provides dinner on work nights (I cook it, they supply the ingredients).
I also have a friendly relationship with her family, which makes discussing pay feel awkward.
My questions are:
- Do these contractor rates seem reasonable for NSW in 2026?
- Is $55 for an inactive overnight sleepover unusually low?
- If you were in my position, would you ask for a rate review after 5 years?
Would really appreciate perspectives from support workers and anyone familiar with NDIS pricing.