Public holiday rates — what you need to know

As an independent contractor on Careseekers, you set your own public holiday rate. Working on a public holiday is a personal choice, and if you do, it is important that your rate is agreed with your client and reflected in your contract before the shift takes place.

What rate should I charge?

There is no single fixed public holiday rate on Careseekers — you set your own. However, there are two useful reference points:

• The NDIS Price Guide — sets maximum rates for NDIS-funded supports, including a public holiday loading. Your rate cannot exceed the NDIS Price Guide limit if your client is NDIS-funded.
• The SCHADS Award — the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award sets minimum rates for workers in this sector. While you are engaged as an independent contractor and the Award does not strictly apply, many workers use it as a guide when setting a fair public holiday rate.

💡 Tip: Check the current NDIS Price Guide at www.ndis.gov.au to see the public holiday rate limits for your support category. Rates are updated periodically so it is worth checking each year.

How to display your public holiday rate on your profile

You can list your public holiday rate on your Careseekers profile so clients can see it upfront before reaching out to you.

1. Log in to your Careseekers worker account.
2. Go to Worker → My Dashboard → View/Edit Profile → Edit Profile.
3. Update your rates section to include your public holiday rate.
4. Save your profile.

This helps avoid any confusion and means clients who contact you already know what to expect.

How to make sure your public holiday rate is in your contract

Your public holiday rate needs to be included in the contract for each client before you work a public holiday shift. The client draws up the contract on the platform, so it is important to discuss and agree on your public holiday rate with them before they do.

1. Discuss your public holiday rate with your client through the Careseekers messaging system before the contract is set up.
2. Ask your client to include your agreed public holiday rate when they create the contract.
3. When you receive the contract to review and accept, check that the public holiday rate is listed correctly before signing.
4. If the rate is missing or incorrect, contact your client to request an updated contract before accepting.

📌 Note: Do not work a public holiday shift without your rate being confirmed in your contract first. If your public holiday rate is not in the contract, you will not be able to invoice at that rate — you will only be able to charge the standard rate that is on file.

What counts as a public holiday?

Public holidays vary by state and territory. You are entitled to apply a public holiday rate for any gazetted public holiday in the state or territory where the shift takes place. National public holidays (such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Australia Day) apply everywhere.

💡 Tip: If you are unsure whether a particular day is a public holiday in your state, check the Fair Work Australia public holiday calendar at www.fairwork.gov.au.

Still need help? Contact the Careseekers team at info@careseekers.com.au or call 1300 765 560.