Can I hire a private disability support worker? The short answer is yes.
A lot of people ask me this. They have an NDIS plan. They do not want a big company sending different workers every week. They want one person. Someone they know. Someone they trust. So can you hire a private disability support worker? Yes you absolutely can.
There are some things you need to know first.
What does private mean here?
When I say support worker I mean someone who is not employed by a big NDIS registered company. They work for themselves. You hire them directly. You pay them directly. You are their boss. These workers are often called support workers. They are not on the NDIS register.
The NDIS lets you do this.. Only if you are self-managed or plan-managed. If you are agency-managed – meaning the NDIA pays your providers for you – then you cannot hire a worker. You have to use providers. That is the rule.
Why would anyone want a worker?
You get to pick exactly who helps you. You are not stuck with whoever the company sends. You can interview people. You can try them out. You can say no thank you. Find someone else.
Private workers are often cheaper. Big companies have overheads. Offices. Managers. Paperwork. Private workers do not have those costs. So they can charge less. That means your NDIS funding goes further. You get hours of support.
Private workers are usually more flexible. Need someone on a Saturday night? They might say yes. Need to change a time at the minute? They might be okay with that.
You build a relationship. The same person shows up every time. They learn how you take your coffee. They know what makes you laugh. They know when you need quiet.
What are the downsides?
Private workers are not checked by the NDIS. There is no government body watching over them. So you have to do your checks.
You also have to handle the paperwork. Paying them. Keeping receipts. Making sure you do not run out of funding.
Another thing. If something goes wrong there is no company to complain to. You have to sort it out with the worker yourself.
How to find a private worker?
Start with word of mouth. Ask your friends who have NDIS plans. Ask your support coordinator if you have one. Ask at your community centre or library.
Facebook groups are very useful. Search for NDIS self-management Melbourne or NDIS support workers needed. Join a few groups. Read what people post.
Mable and Hireup are websites that connect you with workers.
When you find someone who looks good meet them first. Go for coffee. Have a chat. See how you feel.
What to ask before you hire?
You need to ask some questions.
- Ask for their police check. When did they get it? Is it still valid?
- Ask about insurance. Do they have public liability insurance?
- Ask about their experience. Have they worked with someone like you before?
- Ask for a reference.
- Ask what happens if they get sick.
How to pay them?
If you have a plan manager it is easy. You tell your plan manager you want to use a worker.
If you are self-managed you pay the worker directly from the bank account you use for your NDIS funding.
Make an agreement. A piece of paper that says what hours they work what they help with how much you pay and how often.
A story from life
My neighbour Lisa is in her forties. She has a disability. She used a registered provider for two years. Every week a different worker showed up. Some were great. Some were not.
Lisa got tired of it. She decided to try a worker. She found a woman named Jess through a Facebook group.
What to do if something goes wrong?
With all the checking things can go wrong.
First talk to them. Sometimes it is a misunderstanding.
If that does not work, stop using them. You do not have to keep someone who makes you unhappy.
If they stole from you or hurt you call the police. Then call the NDIS.
Should you do it?
That is up to you. Private workers are not for everyone.
If you like the person every time. If you want to save money. If you are okay, with doing some checks and paperwork. Then yes give it a go.
One last thing
Do not let anyone tell you that private workers are not workers. They are. Many of them are kind, skilled and professional. They just choose to work
Take your time. Ask your questions. Trust your gut.. When you find a good one hold on to them. Good support workers are gold.
Yes you can hire a private disability support worker. Millions of NDIS participants do it every day. Now you know how to do it.
📍 Horizon Care Support — practical NDIS advice. Hire private workers with confidence.