Is Disability Support Work GST-Free?

Living with a disability comes with many challenges. While many of the 4.4 million Australians who have a disability learn to adapt or cope with the physical and emotional challenges, financial burdens may be difficult to overcome. With tight finances, they need to watch every dollar to ensure they have enough to live comfortably.

Approximately 38% of those with disabilities fall into the low-income category, so it’s important to carefully watch their everyday expenses, especially those items that are taxed. Since many require partial or full-time disability support, many ask if these types of services are GST-free.

Is Disability Support Work GST-free?

In Australia, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is added to many goods and services throughout the country to provide a revenue source for states and territories. However, under the Act, there are some items that are deemed essential for the population and are exempt from taxation (GST-free). These GST-free items include, but are not limited to, basic food, some medical supplies and services, some childcare, and some personal hygiene items.

Most disability support work and supplies do qualify for GST-free status. Those items include:

• Medical aids and appliances
• Medical services
• Non-government funded residential care
• Non-government funded home care
• NDIS disability supplies

Some items may depend on whether or not the service provider receives funding under the Disability Services Act 1986. For disability support workers, you will be responsible for determining which items require tax to be added or not. There is a complete listing of covered items provided in Table A (non-government-funded) and Table B (government-funded).

Protecting Disability Support Workers Across Australia

Disability support workers are dedicated to making sure their clients are safe and can live productive lives. That’s why upcover is here to help! We understand the value of the services that you provide to the people of Australia. We want to make sure that you are also protected from any liability that comes from this type of work. Check out our instant quote generator today for an estimate on Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance for your disability support business in seconds!