Support Worker Insurance: A Practical Guide for Australians
Last updated 24 October 2026 · 8 min read · By Sarah M., Support Coordinator
In short
Support worker insurance depends on how you work. Employees should check what their provider covers, while sole traders have unlimited liability and are not covered by workers compensation, so they need to look at their own cover. This guide explains the main types of cover, how to compare quotes and what to check for your role, and builds on our guide to what a support worker is and does.
Key points
A sole trader has unlimited liability, so all personal assets are at risk if something goes wrong on a shift.
Sole traders and self-employed workers are not covered by workers compensation and may consider private accident and sickness insurance.
Employers must get workers compensation insurance from an authorised insurer.
Costs vary by insurer, the supports you offer and your claims history, so compare written quotes and policy wording before you buy.
Support worker insurance at a glance
Who needs to arrange cover
Sole traders and other self-employed support workers; employees should check their provider’s policies
Main types of cover
Public liability, professional indemnity, personal accident and sickness, and a review of any vehicle use
Workers compensation
Employers must hold it; sole traders are not covered
Cost
Varies by insurer and by the supports you provide; ask for written quotes
Who is a “worker”
Anyone paid or unpaid who provides NDIS supports, including self-employed people, contractors and volunteers
Official sources
business.gov.au, the ATO and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Independent support worker insurance: what to arrange
If you work for yourself, you are both the worker and the business, so cover is your responsibility.
Set up your business first: an ABN is a free 11-digit number from the Australian Business Register, and you need to be running a business or other enterprise to get one (business.gov.au).
Ask an insurance broker or insurer which policies suit support work, and describe your tasks honestly, including personal care and driving participants.
Check each policy’s exclusions before you rely on it.
Keep copies of your certificates of currency in case a participant or plan manager asks to see them.
Premiums vary by insurer, by the supports you provide and by your history, so work from written quotes.
1List what you do. Write down your tasks, your hours, the participants you support and whether you drive them, so every quote is comparable.
2Ask two or three insurers or a broker for written quotes. Request the same cover from each, with the excess and exclusions in writing.
3Compare the policy wording, not just the price. A cheaper policy that excludes personal care is no help when you need it.
4Set aside the cost in your pricing. Your charges to NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants are capped by NDIS price limits. From 1 December 2026, the national price limit for Assistance with Personal Domestic Activities increases from $61.16 to $65.73 an hour (NDIS).
5Check GST. You must register for GST within 21 days once your GST turnover reaches the registration threshold (ATO).
6Keep your records. Sole traders must keep financial records for at least 5 years.
Insurance for NDIS workers who are employees
Employers must get workers compensation insurance from an authorised insurer. Employees should ask their provider what other cover it holds.
Question
Employee of a provider
Sole trader
Workers compensation
Held by your employer
Not covered; consider private accident and sickness cover
Public liability
Ask your provider what it holds
You arrange it yourself
Superannuation
Employer pays the super guarantee, 12.00% for 2026-27
A sole trader does not have to make super contributions for themselves
If you are weighing up employment against going independent, TQN Care can talk through how we work with support workers. We support people across Sydney and Melbourne with personal care, community access and help at home, and you can learn more on our NDIS support workers page. Overseas applicants can read about disability support worker sponsorship, and new to the scheme? See how the NDIS works and how to become a support worker. Anyone interested in disability support worker study can start there too.
SM
Sarah M., Support CoordinatorTQN Care is a registered NDIS provider supporting people across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC).
Common questions
FAQs about support worker insurance
What insurance do I need as a support worker? +
Employers must hold workers compensation, and employees should ask what other cover their employer holds. Sole traders generally look at public liability, professional indemnity and personal accident and sickness cover. An insurance broker or qualified adviser can explain what suits your work.
Is a disability support worker classed as a healthcare worker? +
The NDIS Commission calls anyone providing NDIS supports a worker, whether paid or unpaid. Whether a role counts as healthcare for a particular purpose depends on the task and the rules that apply, so ask your employer or the relevant government body.
What should I wear as a disability support worker? +
Follow your employer’s dress code or uniform policy, including any rules on name badges and protective equipment. If you work for yourself, wear practical clothes that suit the tasks of the shift, and ask the participant about their preferences.
Why do you want to be a disability support worker? +
Interviewers want honest, specific answers about respect, reliability and the difference you can make. Mention real experience, the supports you enjoy providing and what you have learned, as covered in our resume guide for support workers.