We’re committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the Mable community.

Please refer to the ATO for information on starting and running your own business. If you carry on an enterprise in Australia as a sole trader, you can apply for an ABN for your business and use this number for all your business dealings. You can obtain an ABN by applying for it through the ATO via the Australian Business Register website. There is no fee for applying but if you use a tax agent to complete an application for you they may charge for their services. You can also register for goods and services tax (GST) if you carry on an enterprise, on the ABN application form. You must be registered for GST if your annual GST turnover is $75,000 or more.

Note: The above information should not be considered legal, accounting or tax advice. We recommend you speak with an accountant or tax advisor or your financial advisor and we expressly disclaim any responsibility for any action taken or not taken based on this information.

How do I set professional boundaries?

Clients love the flexibility they get from choosing a worker on Mable and being able to design their support on their terms. But this is still a professional relationship and, as a worker on Mable, you have a responsibility to maintain professional boundaries.

If you’re over-involved with a client, this could affect your professional standards or violate the client’s rights. Without professional boundaries, you could burn out. Support is rewarding and demanding, but if you’re doing more than you should, it takes its toll.

What are examples of professional boundaries?

• Maintaining the privacy of personal information of both worker and client, or information not relevant to your duties.
• Respect confidentiality and only disclose confidential information with the client’s written or verbal consent (or that of their legal guardian or nominated family member).
• Exercising your duty of care to keep your client out of harm’s way, act with knowledge of your client’s disability and/or living situation, and be mindful of your own abilities and limitations. You shouldn’t be giving advice outside of your role or expertise.

Signs that boundaries are being violated

• Acting like a friend to a client can mean not acting in your client’s best interests. For example, you may develop strong feelings for the client, have personal conversations, do things for a client which they could do themselves and physically touch the client where inappropriate (for example, when providing social support rather than high needs). 
• Under our terms and conditions, you’re not allowed to accept gifts from clients. If you are offered a gift you can always just say, “Your thanks are enough – this is my job.”
• Importantly, you may decide only you can offer services to the client, thus taking away their right to choose their own support. 

Finding the right balance

Ask yourself – “am I acting in my client’s best interests?” If necessary, review your relationship and re-establish professional boundaries by clarifying your role with your client. You may need to move the client to a new worker, or look at sharing support with another worker.

For more details about professional boundaries, take a look at Whoa! Please mind my boundaries or call us on 1300 73 65 73.