Mable is committed to recognising the valued role independent support workers play in our community. In light of this, Mable’s minimum agreed rate will increase from $36 per hour to $38 per hour, effective 22 August 2024.
The minimum hourly agreed rate on Mable also ensures that agreement rates are not lower than the new national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. This considers factors like casual loading, superannuation and platform fees.
Please refer to the list of answers below for any questions you may have about this increase.
When does the Mable minimum hourly agreed rate increase?
The Mable minimum hourly agreed rate will increase from $36 to $38 from 22 August 2024.
Which agreements are impacted?
Any new agreements made on and after 22 August 2024 must have a minimum hourly agreed rate of $38.
For existing agreements below $38, we encourage clients and support workers to work together to update them to reflect the new minimum hourly agreed rate.
Why is Mable increasing the minimum hourly agreed rate?
The minimum hourly agreed rate is increasing to contribute to ensuring that independent support workers receive at least the equivalent of the minimum wage from their clients.
There has been a recent increase to the National Minimum Wage, set by the Fair Work Commission on 1 July 2024.
Support workers on the Mable platform are independent contractors, so the National Minimum Wage, casual loading entitlements and the superannuation guarantee don’t technically apply to them.
However, our goal is to make sure that everyone working on the platform receives at least the minimum wage, which includes casual loading and superannuation.
Why is the new minimum hourly agreed rate $38?
The minimum hourly agreed rate is based on the National Minimum Wage, inclusive of casual loading and superannuation:
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As of 1 July 2024, the National Minimum Wage will increase to $24.10 per hour
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inclusive of casual loading (25%), this comes to $30.13 per hour
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inclusive of superannuation (11.5%), this comes to $33.59 per hour
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The minimum hourly agreed rate also includes the 10% Support Engagement Fee.
This means a $38 minimum agreed hourly rate ensures that all support workers receive at least $34.20 per hour when providing services via Mable.
Will Mable be increasing the minimum hourly agreed rate again?
Mable will review and determine if a change is required every 12 months.
Why does Mable have a minimum hourly agreed rate?
Mable encourages clients and support workers to negotiate and agreed rates for services. The minimum hourly agreed rate simply ensures that agreement rates are not lower than the new National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission.
My current agreement is lower than $38 per hour – what should I do?
If you are a client, we recommend you contact your support worker(s) and work with them to agree on a new hourly rate that is at least $38.
If you’re a support worker, we recommend you contact your client(s) or their coordinator(s) and work with them to agree on a new hourly rate of at least $38.
Once the support worker updates the agreement, the client must approve the new minimum hourly agreed rate. The support sessions can’t start until the agreement has been reviewed and accepted by the client.
What do I do if my client can’t afford to increase my rate or doesn’t agree to the increase?
We understand conversations around rates can be tricky. That’s why we have created a guide to help you discuss or negotiate rates with clients.
We recommend explaining to clients that:
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Agreements have to be compliant with Mable’s Terms of Use
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Clients must pay workers a minimum hourly agreed rate of $38 to ensure agreed rates are not lower than the new National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission.
Will this cause delays in payments?
No, support workers will still be able to submit support hours while agreements are being updated. If you have existing agreements with rates lower than $38 per hour, you will need to update these by 22 August 2024, so you can start submitting support hours at the new minimum hourly agreed rates.
As a client, do I need to take any action?
If you have any current agreements with rates lower than $38 per hour, you will need to discuss raising the rates to the new minimum hourly agreed rate of $38 with your support worker. You need to accept the agreement changes so your support worker can submit their support hours at the new agreed rates.
We understand conversations around rates can be difficult, so we have created a guide to help you discuss rates with your support workers.
What does this change mean for my existing agreements?
We have communicated to clients and workers with rates below the new minimum.
I am a coordinator, do I need to do anything?
If your client(s) have existing agreements under the new minimum agreed rate of $38 per hour, we have already notified all support workers about the change and have requested that they work with you or your client to agree on a new hourly rate which is at least $38 per hour.
When was the last time Mable increased its minimum hourly agreed rate?
Mable increased its minimum hourly agreed rate on 1 July 2023 to reflect changes to the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission at the time.
Is the Mable platform fee increasing?
No. The Mable fees remain the same.
