Starting Your Caregiving Business: A Beginner’s Guide to Self-Employment in NZ

Thinking about turning your caring nature into a rewarding career? You’re not alone — more and more Kiwis are stepping into care work to earn income, make a difference, and enjoy the freedom of working for themselves.

Becoming a self-employed care worker in New Zealand might sound daunting at first — tax, invoicing, clients — but the truth is, it’s simpler than you might think. With the right support and a bit of guidance, you can build a flexible, fulfilling caregiving business that works around your life.

This guide walks you through everything you need to get started, from setting up your business to finding your first clients and managing your money along the way.

Why work as a self-employed caregiver?

When you work independently — also called being an independent contractor — you’re in charge of your own schedule, your own clients, and your own business. That comes with some responsibility, but also a lot of freedom.

Here’s what self-employment offers:

• Flexibility – Choose when, where, and how much you work
• Control – Set your own rates and decide what jobs you take
• Meaningful work – Build real connections with the people you support
• Growth – Develop new skills and take your career in the direction you choose

Step 1: Get set up as a self-employed caregiver

To work independently in New Zealand, you’ll need to set yourself up as a sole trader. That’s the simplest type of business structure.

Register with Inland Revenue (IRD)

You’ll need an IRD number and must register as a sole trader. This lets you invoice clients and get paid legally.

👉 IRD: Becoming a sole trader [https://www.ird.govt.nz/about-us/videos/campaigns/business-basics/sole-trader-structure]

👉 MBIE: Becoming a sole trader [https://www.business.govt.nz/getting-started/sole-trader-guide/becoming-a-sole-trader]

Understand your tax responsibilities

As a sole trader, you’ll need to:

• Track your income and expenses
• File an annual tax return
• Pay income tax (and possibly provisional tax if your income is high)

You can claim some business-related expenses (like travel or phone costs), but it’s smart to speak to an accountant for help.

👉 Business.govt.nz: Tax when you’re self-employed

Know when to register for GST

You must register for GST if you earn over $60,000/year from your caregiving work.

👉 IRD: GST – Do you need to register?

Don’t forget about ACC

Self-employed people are covered by ACC, but you’ll receive a yearly ACC levy based on your income.

Optional but helpful

• Set up a separate business bank account
• Get public liability insurance
• Keep receipts for anything work-related

 Just a reminder: this article is not legal or financial advice. If unsure, it’s best to speak to a tax agent or accountant.

Step 2: Find your first clients

There are lots of ways to find caregiving work — it just takes a little effort and a bit of networking.

Where to start:

• Word of mouth – Let friends, neighbours, and whānau know you’re available
• Community noticeboards – Try local libraries, churches, or supermarkets
• Facebook groups or local forums – Especially those focused on parenting, disability, or elder care
• Referrals from past clients or support workers
• Online platforms – Sites like Mycare connect independent caregivers with clients looking for support in their area

How Mycare can help

Mycare is a New Zealand platform that helps caregivers like you:

• Create a public profile so clients can browse
• Communicate and arrange trial sessions
• Track hours and send invoices automatically
• Build trust with client reviews and feedback

It’s one of several tools available — but a great option if you want to stay in control while reaching a wider audience.

Step 3: Set your rates and scope

As a self-employed caregiver, you choose what you charge. This might feel awkward at first, but it’s part of running your own business — and you deserve to be paid fairly.

Things to consider:

• Your experience, skills, or qualifications
• The type of care you offer (personal care often costs more than companionship)
• Travel time and whether you bring your own supplies
• What others in your area are charging

Be upfront about your hourly rate, travel charges (if any), and when you're available. It helps avoid misunderstandings and sets a clear tone from the start.

Step 4: Stay professional

You don’t need to be formal or corporate — but professionalism matters. It helps build trust and keeps your business running smoothly.

Here are a few tips:

• Be friendly but clear – Communicate expectations early on
• Respect boundaries – Know what you're comfortable with and when to say no
• Stay organised – Use a notebook or app to track your hours, payments, and any client notes
• Follow through – Be on time, reliable, and consistent — it goes a long way

If you’re using Mycare, their system takes care of things like hours, invoices, and reminders, so you can focus on the care part.

Step 5: Manage your money wisely

Being self-employed means you’re in charge of your finances — and that includes planning ahead.

Here are some tips that caregivers have found helpful:

• Put aside money for tax – A good rule is to set aside 20–30% of what you earn. This avoids any surprises at tax time.
• Use two bank accounts – One for spending and one for savings/tax. It keeps things tidy.
• Track your income and expenses – You can use a notebook, spreadsheet, or software tools like Hnry, which does cost money.
• Start small with a budget – Think about how many hours you’d like to work, and what that means for your weekly earnings.

The more confident you are with your numbers, the more control you’ll have over your work and your future.

Step 6: Keep learning and growing

Care work is a career that grows with you. You don’t need formal qualifications to get started, but building your skills can open up more opportunities.

Here are some ideas:

• Take a first aid course
• Explore NZQA Health and Wellbeing courses (Level 2–4)
• Join care-related Facebook groups or attend workshops
• Talk to other caregivers — there's so much to learn from one another

And remember, you can always reach out to Mycare’s support team or browse their caregiver tips online.

👉 mycare.co.nz/support

You’ve got this

Starting your own caregiving business might feel like a big step, but it’s also an exciting one. You get to choose the kind of work you do, build genuine relationships with people, and make a real difference — all on your own terms.

Ready to get started? We’re here to support you every step of the way — from creating your profile to growing your confidence as a self-employed caregiver.