ABN and GST Basics for Independent Support Workers
01 September 2026
Registering your ABN and working out whether GST applies to you can feel like the most bureaucratic part of starting out as an independent support worker - the part that has nothing to do with the actual work you want to do. It's also one of the first things you need sorted, since it's a requirement before you can start on CareVicinity, not an optional extra.
In short: as an independent support worker on CareVicinity, you'll need your own ABN before you start - it's part of CareVicinity's screening and onboarding requirements alongside a current police check and two professional references. Registering one is free and generally takes 10-20 minutes online. GST is a separate question: you only need to register for GST once your turnover reaches $75,000 a year, which most individual support workers won't hit from this work alone.
This article is the deeper reference on ABN and GST specifically - if you're still weighing up whether to go independent at all, going independent as a support worker: what changes and how to start covers that broader decision, with ABN and GST as one step among several.
Why you need an ABN at all
Working as an independent support worker on CareVicinity means you're operating as an independent contractor, not an employee - CareVicinity doesn't employ or assign support workers as staff. An ABN (Australian Business Number) is how you're identified as a business for tax and invoicing purposes when you work this way. It's a standard, mandatory part of being a sole trader in Australia, not something specific to CareVicinity.
Getting an ABN, step by step
Applying for an ABN is done through the Australian Business Registry Services (ABR), and it's free unless you go through a paid third party:
Set up a myGovID (or equivalent digital identity) first - it makes the whole process smoother and is useful for other government dealings later.
Go to the ABR's application portal and select that you're applying as a sole trader.
Have your Tax File Number (TFN) ready - it's required to link the application to your tax record.
Have identity documents on hand - your driver's licence, passport, or Medicare card details are typically used to verify who you are.
Describe your business activity specifically. "Independent in-home support work" or similarly specific wording is more useful than something vague like "services."
Provide your business and postal address, plus contact details.
Register a business name at the same time, if you want one. If you plan to operate under something other than your own legal name, this is the point to do it.
Most people complete the application in 10 to 20 minutes, and ABNs are commonly issued immediately, though some applications are held for manual review.
Where GST fits in - and where it doesn't
GST is a separate registration from your ABN, and for most independent support workers, it isn't required. The rule is straightforward: you need to register for GST once your turnover reaches the $75,000-a-year threshold, calculated on either your current 12-month turnover or your projected turnover for the next 12 months - whichever comes first.
If your independent support work is your main income and you're working close to full-time hours, it's worth watching this threshold rather than assuming it will never apply to you. If you're below it, registering is optional, not required - though some sole traders choose to register anyway for their own reasons (claiming GST credits on business purchases, for example). That's a decision worth making with an accountant if you're unsure, since it depends on your broader financial picture, not just this one income source.
If you do register, you have 21 days from crossing the threshold to do it - missing that window can mean the ATO treats GST as owing on sales made before you registered, even if you didn't charge it at the time.
How this fits into CareVicinity's platform fee
Once you're set up, it's worth understanding how invoicing actually works day to day: you set your own hourly rate, and CareVicinity's 12.5% platform fee is deducted from your payout - it's never added on top of the rate a client sees. How support worker rates and payments work covers that mechanism in full. If you're curious why the GST detail on a client's invoice can vary between bookings, that's explained (from the client's side) in understanding GST on your in-home support invoices.
FAQ
Do I need an ABN even if I'm only working a few hours a week? Yes - CareVicinity's screening and onboarding requirements call for your own ABN regardless of how many hours you plan to work, alongside a current police check and two professional references.
Does registering for an ABN mean I automatically have to register for GST too? No, they're separate. An ABN is required to operate as a sole trader; GST registration only becomes compulsory once your turnover reaches $75,000 a year.
Is there a cost to register for an ABN? Registering directly through the ABR is free. You'd only pay a fee if you used a paid tax agent or third-party registration service instead.
What happens if I go over the GST threshold without realising? You have 21 days from the point you cross (or expect to cross) the threshold to register. Missing that window can leave you liable for GST on sales made in the meantime, so it's worth keeping an eye on your turnover if you're working close to full-time.
Getting the paperwork done once, properly
None of this is complicated once it's done - it's a one-off setup step (plus an occasional GST check) rather than an ongoing burden. Once your ABN is registered, you're ready to move on to the parts of the job that are actually about the work: what does a support worker do day to day? is a good next read if you're still building out the full picture before you start.
CareVicinity is an Australia-wide care marketplace connecting independent support workers with people needing in-home support. Availability of work may vary by location.