THE AGENCY conducts the business of introducing Carers for work in a variety of domestic and caring capacities.

All Carers meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years’ old
• Be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have a relevant visa to allow employment on a continuous basis for 12 months or more
• Three references relating to child care
• Police Check (completed within the last 12 months)
• Current First Aid Certificate (includes CPR) – course code HLTAID011 or HLTAID012
• Employee Working with Children Check or Blue Card
• Mandatory Reporting Certificate
• Own car and license
• Letter from your doctor stating you are fit and healthy to work in the relevant field (if relevant)
• 12-month commitment to work with the agency
• Hold Public Liability Insurance

They have also been through a strict, rigorous and thorough interview and induction process, this includes:

• Resume Screening
• Phone Interview
• Individual Interview
• Reference Checking
• Induction Session

During this time we cover behavioural expectations, health and safety, financial obligations, tasks and responsibilities, duties, communication, and much more.

Whilst THE AGENCY uses reasonable endeavours to check the Carer, sole responsibility for determining the suitability of a Carer remains with the Client. THE AGENCY will not be liable for any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from engagement of a Carer by a Client. Although THE AGENCY may provide input and assistance in the selection process, the engagement of a Carer by a Client is ultimately the Client’s sole responsibility. Through the selection and placement of Carers to undertake the Duties, THE AGENCY plays an active role in establishing the relationship between the Client and Carer. The Agency will provide replacement Carers to Clients and Clients to Carers upon request.

THE AGENCY provides Carers that are available for engagement in 2 different capacities:

1. Contractor
2. Employee / Employer Model

Self Employed Carers

• A Carer can commit to specific days of work with a Client on a short-term or ongoing basis. This arrangement can cease or be modified at any time at the request of either Party. The engagement of a Carer on an infrequent, short-term or ongoing basis does not require a Client to guarantee permanent work for the Carer, nor is the Carer required to guarantee permanent availability.
• An Engagement Agreement may be entered into if either party require (the Carer has access to this document via the Carer portal and the Client may request a copy from THE AGENCY at any time)
• Determination of the rate is negotiated between the parties in accordance with the Client’s work requirements and considers, for example, the number of persons to be cared for, ages of persons to be cared for, required duties, qualifications and experience of the Carer, current market trends and any specific or unique circumstances which the Client may have. No less than the NES Casual minimum wage.
• As independent contractors, such Carers are responsible for their own tax payments and statutory obligations. The Clients are not liable for the payment of holiday or personal leave unless agreed between the parties.
• For Superannuation responsibilities please visit www.ato.gov.au (Note: domestic Employees who work no more than 30 hours per week are not eligible for superannuation)
• The Client will be required to arrange appropriate Work Cover. Further information can be found below.
• Carers pay for and are covered by public liability insurance provided by THE AGENCY / Other (if policy is utilised, the Client shall be responsible for any excess payment required to make a claim)
• In the event that the Client requires their Carer to transport family members in his or her own vehicle during working hours, the Client will be required to reimburse the Carer for kilometres travelled. Note that if the Carer has an accident whilst driving the Clients car or their own vehicle for the benefit of the Client during working hours, the Client is responsible for paying the insurance excess for the claim. The Client is responsible for ensuring that the Carer has appropriate child safety restraints and vehicle insurance policies, this is not THE AGENCY’s responsibility.
• At the conclusion of each booking or each period of service to a maximum of seven (7) days, the Carer will provide the Client with a Tax invoice which will include an amount to cover the applicable booking fees payable to THE AGENCY, Carer charges, reimbursement for associated costs and Superannuation (if applicable). The Carer collects booking fees on behalf of THE AGENCY.
• The amount set out in the Tax Invoice is payable at the end of the each month – the Carer will be send an invoice requesting full payment with the number of bookings and amount payable.

Client Employed Carers

• As above, however the Carer no longer acts as an Independent Contractor and the Client takes on all PAYG tax withholding responsibilities and pays no less than the NES wage, or relative Miscellaneous of Children’s Services Award minimum wage.
• An Engagement Agreement should be entered into (the Carer has access to this document via the Carer portal and the Client may request a copy from THE AGENCY at any time)
• An Engagement Agreement assists Clients and Carers to formalise items such as: whether the role is casual, part time or full time, confirms the remuneration, details the job description, duties, vehicle use, holiday leave, personal leave, period of notice, and other expectations and responsibilities surrounding the engagement.
• To apply as a PAYG Tax withholder please visit https://www.ato.gov.au/Forms/Application-to-register-a-PAYG-withholding-account/ and be aware that Households who employ staff are required to report through Single Touch Payroll (STP).
• STP is a change to the way employers report payroll information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Simply, it means employers report salaries and wages, pay as you go withholding tax and superannuation information directly to the Australian Taxation Office each pay run.

This option only available for positions of 30 hours or more per week and where a Client wishes to purchase the Carer outright from the Agency, eliminating the daily booking fee charges.

• Determination of the rate is negotiated between the parties in accordance with the Client’s work requirements and considers, for example, the number of persons to be cared for, ages of persons to be cared for, required duties, qualifications and experience of the Carer, current market trends and any specific or unique circumstances which the Client may have. No less than the NES Casual minimum wage.
• Upon completion by a Carer of a minimum trial period of 10 engagements the Client may engage the Carer in a Permanent Placement Capacity.
• An Engagement Agreement will need to be prepared and signed by both the Client and the Carer before THE AGENCY will release the Carer from their contractual obligations with THE AGENCY (the Carer has access to this document via the Carer portal and the Client may request a copy from THE AGENCY at any time)
• The Client will be required to guarantee the Carer a set (minimum) number of hours (must be 30hrs or over per week)
• The Client will be responsible for undertaking all PAYG tax obligations (either self managed or using a payroll service)
• The Client will be required to make contributions to the Carer’s nominated superannuation fund. Further information is available through the ATO Info Line 13 28 66 or via www.ato.gov.au
• The Client will be required to arrange appropriate Work Cover and other insurances. Further information can be found below.
• The Client will be required to pay holiday and personal leave entitlements to the Carer in accordance with law.
• Upon commencement of any permanent contractual engagement by the Client of the Carer, the Client will be provided with a permanent placement Tax Invoice from THE AGENCY, totalling $3500. This amount is payable within seven days of receipt.
• During the first four weeks of the ongoing employment, the Agency will provide assistance with job description modification and training needs and facilitating discussion between Carer and Client where necessary or required.
• During the first four weeks of a Carers ongoing engagement, if the Client is dissatisfied with the Carers performance or conduct, additional applicants will be put to the Client for consideration as a potential replacement. If a suitable applicant is not located, the permanent placement fee will be refunded to the Client less any daily booking fees that would otherwise have been charged for this period.

Carers being Privately engaged by one of MLNA’s Clients can choose either option 1 or 2 as detailed below (payment of option 1 is required prior to commencement, please contact reception to make payment over the phone):

1. Armadalia Pty Ltd Insurance – covers expenses for personal injury or property damage up to $10 million dollars (this option only covers Agency Client’s)
2. Nanny Sure Insurance – covers expenses for personal injury or property damage up to $10 million dollars