Blog / 2 February 2026
Why I went sole trader
After a year of casual agency work, I went sole trader to choose participants directly and build relationships that last.
I spent nine years in residential aged care before moving to disability support work in 2024. The shift was deliberate. I wanted to build relationships with the people I supported over years, not see them rotate through a roster.
I started as a casual through an agency. The work was fine, the rate was less fine, and the bookings were unpredictable. Toward the end of 2024 I went sole trader so I could keep more of the rate, choose the participants I work with, and build a small steady book of work.
Going sole trader is not for everyone. It means you do your own admin, your own invoicing, and you carry your own insurance. For me, the trade off is worth it because I can offer something agencies cannot: I show up consistently, I know each participant well, and I am not trying to scale.
If you are a participant or family considering a sole trader rather than an agency, the main thing to look for is reliability. Ask how long they have been operating, who else they support, and how they handle leave and unavailability.