NDIS support worker - VIC

Hi all,

I’m a 22 y/o support worker in Victoria working for an NDIS provider. I’m also a uni student and I’m really struggling after a few work-related things have left me badly out of pocket. I’d really appreciate some advice on what my options are.

1. Car repairs and hire car (~$2,800)

I use my own car for work. There was a work-related situation that led to my car needing repairs, and I also had to hire a car so I could keep working and get around. The total for repairs plus the hire car was about $2,800, which I paid on my credit card around three weeks ago.

At first my employer basically said I’d be reimbursed. Now they’re saying they can’t give me a clear timeframe and that it depends on when they get money back from the NDIS. In the meantime I’m stuck with a big credit card bill racking up interest that I can’t really afford.

What I want to know:

• If I’m expected to use my own car for work and it’s damaged in a work-related situation, do they have to reimburse me within a reasonable time?
• Can they legally say “we’ll only pay you when NDIS pays us”?
• If they don’t sort this out soon, should I be going to Fair Work, a union, or somewhere else?

2. Client expense (~$62)

On another shift, a participant lost their card right before we needed to pay for something for them. I offered to pay on my own card so we could keep going. It was about $62.

I submitted the receipt and proof of payment and asked for reimbursement, but I still haven’t been paid back.

What I want to know:

• Is this clearly something my employer should reimburse as a normal work expense?
• If they keep dragging it out, can I include this in any complaint about unpaid entitlements/expenses?

3. Laptop broken during serious incident (~$1,400, 2 weeks ago)

About two weeks ago, on a weekend shift, I had a pretty scary incident with a participant. He locked the doors so it was just the two of us, then went to attack me. After about a minute of struggling I managed to get away and run outside.

Earlier in the shift, while he was sleeping, I’d been using my personal MacBook (which I use for uni and sometimes for work stuff like notes and emails). When he woke up, I put it away in my bag so it wouldn’t be out around him. During the incident he got to my bag and snapped the laptop in half. The damage is about $1,400.

My employer has told me they won’t cover any of the cost because there’s a clause in the paperwork I signed saying they’re not responsible for personal items I bring to the workplace.

From my side:

• The laptop is something I use for both uni and work-related tasks.
• They don’t provide a work laptop or device.
• The damage happened in the middle of a serious workplace incident, even though I had actually put the laptop away in my bag when he woke up.

What I want to know:

• Does a “we’re not responsible for personal items” clause usually cover this kind of situation, where the item is in my bag and gets damaged during an incident?
• Is there any realistic way to get them to cover some or all of the cost (for example through their insurance or a claim), or am I likely going to have to wear it?

What I’ve done so far

• Submitted all the invoices/receipts and paid everything myself.
• Completed an incident report about the assault and the property damage.
• Spoken to my employer, who is delaying the car and client reimbursements and refusing anything for the laptop.

My questions/adive needed is!!

• Can they keep holding off on paying me for the car until they get money from NDIS, even though I’ve already paid?
• Is it worth pursuing the laptop, or is that probably a dead end?
• Who should I talk to first – Fair Work, a union, a community legal centre, or someone else?