Intro
I’m Colin, a Mallacoota carer and support worker. This page is for workers like you ~ self-employed contractors, not employees. No sick leave, no holidays ~ you’re your own boss, claiming expenses like car costs, phone bills, or computers. In Mallacoota, heaps of people have Home Care Packages (HCPs) and need your services. Trilogy is a provider who pays you for these clients’ work. Mallacoota Cares, an agent for Trilogy, helps their clients find you ~ they charge their client, not you for this. You decide: invoice Trilogy direct or use Mable’s service for a fee, you pay 10% to Mable. Here’s how.
Your Options
You’re a contractor serving HCP clients. Trilogy pays you ~ Mallacoota Cares connects their clients to you (for a client fee). Other clients not with Mallacoota Cares pay via Trilogy too. Pick your method:
- Direct to Trilogy: Invoice Trilogy yourself ~ no fees, you’re in control.
- Via Mable: Mable handles it for a cut ~ easier admin, good for quick gigs. Mable pays you, Trilogy pays Mable.
- Both: Mix it up ~ direct for regulars, Mable for extra work. I do this.
| Feature | Via Mable | Direct to Trilogy |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Included | You provide (~$200/yr) |
| Invoicing | Timesheet on Mable App | You handle |
| Fee to You | 10% per job | None |
| Client Fee | 7.5% added | None |
| Payment Speed | Weekly | Weekly |
| Admin Effort | Low | Moderate |
How to Become a Trilogy and Mable Supplier
- Start:
- Via Mable: Join at https://mable.com.au/provide-support/ or 1300 736 573. You pay 10% per invoice, clients pay 7.5% ~ Mable covers insurance and pays weekly via their app timesheet. Good for jobs like a Bairnsdale medical trip (6 hours at $50/hr = $300 + $1/km with your car, or use theirs).
- Direct to Trilogy: Register at trilogycare.com.au/submit-a-worker/ ~ have your police check and insurance ready. No fees, invoice them direct ~ call 1300 459 190 if needed. Pays weekly too.
- Get Set Up:
- ABN: Free from ato.gov.au ~ you’re self-employed, so you need it.
- Police Check: Join Mable first for their discounted one ~ works for Trilogy too. Or use the Services Victoria app (services.vic.gov.au).
- WWC Check: Handy but not required ~ same app.
- Insurance: Get public liability and professional indemnity (~$200/year or $8/month extra if monthly) via my BizCover referral link for quotes: insure.bizcover.com.au/OccupationSelection?utm_source=BIZCOVER&utm_medium=Form&utm_campaign=BIZCOVER. Needed for Trilogy, not Mable.
- Quals: Cert III in Aged Care or similar if you’ve got it.
Why It’s Worth It
HCP clients pay better ~ up to $36,000 vs. $11,000 from full-service providers (Level 3 HCP). Direct saves clients 7.5%, Mable’s great for one-off jobs ~ I recommend setting up both. I can help with this.
Coming Soon: A Mallacoota worker directory and jobs board ~ list yourself or find work.
Set Your Rates
As a contractor, you set your own rates ~ range is $40-$70/hr. Vary them by time and task ~ I charge differently depending on the job and client. Be mindful of their needs and budgets. For example, if a client books me for 2 hours a week, I charge $60/hr x 2 + $10 travel = $130. If it runs to 2.5 hours, I stick to $130 ~ if they need an extra hour, we discuss it. Trilogy needs a new agreement if rates go up, but there’s no fixed amount ~ clients have budgets, some with $30k-$50k balances who can pay more. If they want weekends and it suits me, I might not charge extra. Here’s my standard rates:
| Time/Task | My Standard Rates |
|---|---|
| Weekdays (8am-6pm) | $66/hr |
| After Hours & Saturday | $99/hr |
| Sunday & Public Holidays | $132/hr |
| Driving | $50/hr + $1/km |
| Long Block (e.g., 8hr day) | $500/day (~$62.50/hr) |
I offer lower rates for longer blocks ~ you can too. For example, a Bairnsdale medical trip might be 6 hours at $50/hr = $300 + $1/km if you use your car, or $0/km to use theirs.