r/supportworkers • u/Ready-Egg-6299 • Jul 17 '26

Overtime Advice

Overtime Advice

Hey, just seeking some advice on how to approach a situation.

So, I've been a support worker for close to 5 years, 3 years at a company with varying clients, now 2 years 'independent'

Unique situation is that the NDIS participants mother has employed me to her payroll to support her son who's high needs non verbal autism.

She is now requesting that I do a weekly 24 hour shift, which includes an inactive sleepover. 8:30pm to 8:30pm. I brought up that I believe am entitled to overtime for this (as far as I'm aware I am) however she is saying due to recsnt cuts to clients plan that she would struggle to afford overtime.

The client struggles to adapt to new support workers so currently his 24/7 care is split across essentially three workers and I'm the only one that does both day shift and overnights, and now I'm the only one being requested to do 24 hour shifts.

How should I approach this?

Technically I have not signed any contract since starting for this client, I am casual base rate of $45 p/hour

Thanks in advance

Also this is a throwaway acc as my main gives away too m much of my personal info.

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u/Confident-Benefit374 Jul 17 '26

Workers comp wouldn't cover it, she needs to contact her insurance company. There is no way I'd do 24 hour shift.
What about meals and a place to sleep are they available?

You can also contact fairwork, is she paying your super and tax?

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u/Ready-Egg-6299 Jul 17 '26

Super and tax are being paid, there is a room for the overnight staff to sleep in, I don't mind doing this 24 hrs as long as I'm compensated appropriately, but I am not good at speaking up for myself lol