NDIS Support Worker Rate Calculator
Calculate the exact hourly rate you need to charge to reach your income goals as a sole trader.
Your Required Hourly Rate: $XX.XX / hr
NDIS Standard Limit: $66.45 / hr (Static reference for comparison)
Status: [Green Checkmark “Profitable”] OR [Red Warning “Above Price Limit”]
The Verdict: Is your business actually profitable, or just busy?
Best for: New and existing NDIS sole traders who are transitionining from being an employee to running their own business and need to ensure their “Take Home” pay actually exists after tax and expenses.
The Reality: Many support workers make the mistake of charging the maximum NDIS rate (currently $70.23/hr for weekdays) and assuming that is their wage. In reality, once you subtract 12% Super, 25% for tax/sick leave, and your business overheads, your actual “wage” is often closer to $40/hr.
The Bottom Line: If your “Required Hourly Rate” is consistently hitting the NDIS ceiling, you aren’t leaving yourself a safety net for growth or emergencies. Use Sole to track your actual expenses and billable vs. non-billable hours—if you don’t know your “cost to work,” you can’t stay in business long-term.
How is this rate calculated?
As a sole trader, your hourly rate isn’t just your salary. It must cover your tax, superannuation, sick leave, and business expenses. This calculator adds your Desired Salary + Business Overheads + Super and divides it by your Billable Hours.
Billable vs. Non-Billable Hours
Copy:Remember, you cannot bill the NDIS for admin time, marketing, or bookkeeping. If you work a 40-hour week, you might only have 25 billable hours with clients. Your hourly rate must be higher to cover those unpaid admin hours.
The “Price Limit” Trap
Unlike standard freelancers, NDIS providers are capped by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
- Standard Rate: For standard support work (Weekdays), the current limit is approx $66.45/hr.
- High Intensity: If you provide complex support, you may be able to charge a higher tier.
- Weekend Rates: Saturday and Sunday rates are higher to compensate for penalty rates.
Pro Tip: If your calculated rate is higher than the NDIS limit, you must lower your overheads or increase your billable hours. You cannot charge a participant more than the price limit.
Don’t Guess Your Income—Track It.
Calculating your rate is step one. Step two is ensuring you actually get paid that amount. Sole helps you:
- Track Billable Hours: Separate your admin time from client time.
- Automate Invoicing: Apply your calculated rate to invoices instantly.
- Expense Management: Snap photos of receipts so you know exactly what your overheads are.
More Free NDIS Tools
Travel Cost Calculator – Calculate provider travel claims.
NDIS Invoice Template – Download a compliant invoice template.
NDIS Tax Guide – Learn what expenses you can claim.
NDIS Rates & Profitability: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current NDIS Price Limit for 2026?
As of the latest 2025-26 Pricing Arrangements, the standard weekday daytime rate (01_011_0107_1_1) is capped at $70.23 per hour. This includes the recent 3.95% increase to account for Fair Work wage adjustments and the superannuation guarantee rise.
What should I enter for Superannuation in 2026?
From 1 July 2025, the statutory Superannuation Guarantee rate in Australia increased to 12.0%. Even as a sole trader, it is vital to include this 12% in your hourly rate calculation. If you don’t, you are effectively retiring with 12% less wealth than an equivalent employee.
Why is my “Billable Hours” number so important?
You can only charge the NDIS for the time spent directly with a participant or agreed travel/reports. You cannot charge for the time you spend doing your own bookkeeping, marketing, or driving to your first client of the day. Most successful sole traders find they only have 25–28 billable hours in a 40-hour work week. Your hourly rate must cover the costs of those 12–15 “unpaid” admin hours.
Can I charge “High Intensity” rates if I have a certificate?
Having a certificate (like a Cert III or IV) doesn’t automatically allow you to charge the High Intensity rate ($75.98/hr). You can only charge this if the participant’s plan specifically requires High Intensity support and the service you are providing meets the “Complex” criteria (e.g., bowel care, ventilator management, or advanced seizure management).
What happens if my required rate is higher than the NDIS limit?
The NDIS Price Limit is a hard cap for Agency and Plan-Managed participants. If your calculated “survival” rate is $75/hr but the cap is $70.23/hr, you have three options:
- Reduce Overheads: Find a cheaper phone plan, insurance, or vehicle.
- Increase Billable Hours: Find ways to reduce admin time (using tools like Sole).
- Switch to Self-Managed Clients: Self-managed participants can negotiate rates above the cap, though their budget will deplete faster.
Does Sole help me track my “Tax-Free Threshold”?
Sole provides Real-Time Tax Estimates based on your total income for the financial year. It factors in the Australian tax-free threshold ($18,200), ensuring that as your income grows, your tax estimate adjusts so you aren’t hit with a massive bill at the end of the year.