Introduction

At the very heart of the NDIS is a powerful principle: choice and control. This means you have the right to decide who supports you on your journey. A common and important question we hear is, “Can I choose my own support workers?”

The simple answer is yes, you can. However, the level of flexibility you have is directly influenced by how your NDIS plan is managed. This guide will explain your options under each management type and highlight the significant benefits of building your own support team.

Your Management Type: The Key to Your Choices

The way your plan is managed is the most important factor in determining your freedom to choose support workers. Here’s a breakdown of what each option means for you:

1. Self-Managed (Maximum Choice and Control)

• How it works: You are the employer. You manage the funding directly and are responsible for recruiting, hiring, scheduling, and paying your support workers.
• Choice Level: Highest. You can hire almost anyone you choose, including independent support workers who are not registered with the NDIS, or even a family member or friend (if they meet certain NDIS requirements).
• Your Responsibility: You handle all the administrative tasks like payroll, taxes, insurance, and record-keeping.

2. Plan-Managed (The Balanced Approach)

• How it works: A Plan Management provider handles all the financial paperwork and pays your invoices on your behalf.
• Choice Level: Very High. You can choose from both NDIS registered and non-registered support workers. Your Plan Manager takes care of the payments, giving you the flexibility of self-management without the administrative burden.
• Your Responsibility: You find and agree on terms with the support worker, and your Plan Manager processes the payments.

3. NDIA-Managed (Agency-Managed)

• How it works: The NDIA pays your providers directly from your plan.
• Choice Level: More Structured. You must choose support workers who are employed by an NDIS registered provider. You cannot directly hire independent, unregistered workers.
• Your Responsibility: Your choice is made from the pool of workers employed by registered providers. You still have a say in who supports you, but within that framework.

Why Choosing Your Own Support Worker Matters

Selecting your support worker is about more than just filling a roster. It’s about building a relationship that empowers you. Key benefits include:

• Trust and Rapport: Support is personal. Working with someone you like and trust creates a safe and positive environment, leading to better outcomes.
• Cultural Connection: You can choose a worker who shares your cultural background, language, or understands your specific life experiences.
• Consistency and Reliability: Building a long-term relationship with a consistent worker provides stability and means they deeply understand your needs and goals.
• Specialist Skills: You can select workers with specific expertise that matches your requirements, such as experience with complex needs, mental health, or specific therapeutic approaches.

How We Empower Your Choice at Love and Hope with No Steps

At Love and Hope with No Steps, we don’t just assign staff; we facilitate meaningful connections. We are an NDIS registered provider that truly embraces your right to choice and control.

Our process is designed to ensure you are at the center of every decision:

• Personalised Matching: We take the time to understand your personality, interests, goals, and preferences. We then match you with support workers who are not just qualified, but are also a great personal fit.
• Your Approval, Always: You have the final say. We introduce potential support workers and ensure you are comfortable and happy with the match before any support begins.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Our team is led by qualified social workers, meaning we prioritize your emotional safety and build relationships based on trust and respect.
• Flexible and Responsive: We work with you to create schedules that fit your life, not the other way around.

Ready to find a support worker who feels like the right fit? We’re here to listen and match you with our dedicated team.

📞 Call us on 0432 690 241 for a conversation about what you’re looking for in a support worker.
✉️ Email us at [email protected] to tell us more about your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I choose my own NDIS support workers?
A: Yes, absolutely. The NDIS is built on your right to choose who provides your supports. The extent of your choice depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed.

Q: How does my plan management type affect my choice?
A:

• Self-Managed: You have the most freedom and can hire almost anyone.
• Plan-Managed: You have wide choice and can use both registered and unregistered workers.
• NDIA-Managed: You must choose from workers employed by NDIS registered providers.

Q: Why is it important to choose my own worker?
A: A strong, positive relationship with your support worker is fundamental to achieving your goals. Choosing someone you trust, who understands you, and who has the right skills leads to more effective and empowering support.