Resources on Aged and Disability Care

My Aged Care and NDIS are similar in their purpose of helping people regain their independence. However, the key difference between the two is defined by the age of their participants. People under the age of 65 may opt to receive government subsidies and support under the NDIS, provided they have a significant or permanent disability. On the other hand, people over 65 may receive support under My Aged Care. When an NDIS participant turns 65, they may choose to continue receiving support under NDIS or transfer to My Aged Care under certain circumstances.

While Care organisations are diligent in providing resources and information to the people in need of care, they are also equally helpful to the community of carers consisting of employed, self-employed, or volunteer workers. Carers may find valuable information dedicated to their needs within some of the sites listed above. Also, here are some of the existing services and programs dedicated to only carers’ support:

Carers Australia

The Carers Australia website contains various information about the care sector and the available support services they can take.

Carer Gateway

Carer Gateway offers information and resources for all Australian carers. They also have a free telephone counselling service.

My Aged Care

My Aged Care provides support to carers that care for the elderly community by giving information on how they can seek additional support, such as Respite Care services.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS website includes resources dedicated to understanding the families and carers of people with disability. It also provides links to other community groups that support carers as well.

Special Disability Trusts

A carer may set up a Special Disability Trust to plan for future care and housing for someone with a disability.

Here are the insurance covers that can financially protect you from unforeseen events brought about by your care work/business:

Public & Products Liability Insurance

Also known as Broadform Liability, this provides protection for you and your business if a member of the public or your client sustains an injury or damage to property as a result of negligence on your part. It excludes cover for claims that arise from a provision of a professional service; that’s why carers also require professional indemnity insurance.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

This cover provides for claims against a care provider for allegations or claims arising from alleged negligent actions. This insurance covers defence costs, including legal fees and settlement costs, which are payable to a third party.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

This government-mandated insurance protects you by providing compensation if you become sick or sustain an injury during your employment. It helps you get back to work as soon as possible in the event of an injury or accident, covering your medical expenses, loss of earnings, and rehabilitation.

Personal Accident & Sickness Insurance

This insurance provides cover for weekly income and is optional unlike Worker’s Compensation Insurance. It is suited for carers who have no other source of income and is running a small business. If the carer is ill or injured, being covered ensures that there is income until the individual can return to work.

Management Liability Insurance

This insurance is specifically designed to provide cover for private companies and their officers and directors. It protects them against allegations of mismanagement and potential legal action and claims. The policy coverage contains many extensions with the main areas including broad coverage for:

• Directors and officers liability;
• Employment disputes like wrongful dismissal, harassment, bullying or discrimination;
• Statutory liability;
• Crisis costs;
• Employee theft and third party crime; and
• Tax audit costs.

Corporate Travel Insurance

This cover allows individuals or businesses to save on costs on travel policies for corporate travels. Compared to credit card travel insurance, this type almost always has broader coverage as it includes cover for the personal travel of company managers and directors, including their spouse and children. This insurance is a cost-effective option since it covers all kinds of travel insurance under one policy.

Business Insurance

This insurance provides comprehensive cover for a range of risks associated with a business’ premises and contents. Insured events may include:
fire or other accidents, storm damage, flood, theft/burglary, damage of goods or machinery, glass breakage.

Cyber Liability & Privacy Protection Insurance

This cover protects a business from cyber exposures, including clients suing for breach of privacy and from third-party claims such as actions brought by the Privacy Commissioner. It also serves as a first-party cover for Business Interruption and other expenses that the insured might incur as a result of a cyber-attack.

The minimum insurance requirement for carers is a Public & Products Liability Insurance and a Professional Indemnity Insurance. There is currently no minimum limit specified, and we recommend that you evaluate the risks associated with your business and set a level of cover you are comfortable with and can afford. It is also recommended that you review your policy limits if, and when, your business changes (e.g., if you take on additional staff or clients in high-risk areas).

It is very important to ensure you and/or your employees are appropriately covered in the event of injury either under a Personal Accident Insurance, and/or Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

Protection for business assets and other potential liability exposures, see details of further products available here.

Public & Product Liability insurance provides cover for third party personal injury or property damage as a result of negligent business operations, activities, or practices, however excludes the rendering of a professional service. An example situation may be accidentally breaking a client’s expensive home appliance or something being left on the floor and a third party trips and injures themselves.

Professional Indemnity insurance provides cover for the rendering of professional services, such as provide care support to a client. It provides cover for third party damage or loss due to alleged or actual professional mistakes, omissions, or negligence on your part as a carer. An example would be allegations of failing to provide appropriate care, resulting in an injury to a client.

Both these covers are just as important in ensuring a carer is protected in these types of incidents.

Contractors are individual legal entities who should also have the appropriate insurance in place, unless covered by your existing policies.
Contractors are required to have the following insurance:

• Worker’s Compensation Insurance and/or Personal Accident Insurance
• Public and Products Liability Insurance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance (if applicable)

All employers across all states and territories in Australia are required to have a Worker’s Compensation Insurance. This type of cover provides compensation for an employee in case of an injury during their employment. The compensation includes medical expenses, loss of earnings, and rehabilitation. However, the requirements for the Worker’s Compensation Insurance vary from one state or territory to another.

Personal Accident Insurance is also important for individuals whether they own a business or are employed or self-employed because it covers for accidents that may result in injury or death. Either a lump sum payment or weekly payments are given to the insured, depending on the result of the accident.

Policy premiums vary depending on the nature of business activities and other underwriting criteria. Below are some of the factors that commonly affect the premium:

• Occupation
• Turnover
• Number of Employees
• Type of cover
• Sum insureds
• Claims History

If you are ready to request a quote for your business, contact us at 1300 739 861.