A retainer that took a small provider through its NDIS audit
Registration was renewed, with every audit indicator rated as conforming and no non-conformities. The one gap raised on the day, missing evidence in staff files, was closed that evening.
Services
Retainers
I carry full context about your team, your numbers and your priorities, and I work alongside you between sessions.
Who it suits
Organisations working through something sustained rather than answering a single question. A build, a restructure, an expansion, a reform response.
The common factor is that the work runs across months and touches several parts of the business at once.
It runs month to month with no lock-in contract, and you work directly with me from start to finish.
If what you have is a single decision rather than a program of work, an advisory session is the better fit, and the cheaper one.
What it replaces
An operations or quality manager capable of building your systems, KPIs and processes is a six-figure salary before on-costs, takes months to recruit and becomes a permanent liability on your payroll.
A retainer gives you that capability without the headcount, and you can stop any month.
Every retainer starts the same way
Most providers arrive with a list longer than the time available, so the sequencing is where the early value sits.
A priorities plan, in the first fortnight
What needs to happen, in what order, what will move your numbers first and what we are deliberately leaving until later.
Then we work the plan
Sessions run to your tier's rhythm, with preparation beforehand and a written summary with actions afterwards.
A written review each quarter
What moved, what did not, and an action plan for the quarter ahead.
Pricing
Core Retainer
$1,500
+ GST per month
I know your business, I am available when you need me and I bring things to you between sessions. You make the decisions. I make them better.
- I bring things to you, so problems surface while they are still small
- Review of what you are about to send, sign or commit to
- Questions answered the day they come up
Best for providers making good decisions independently who want their thinking challenged.
Partner Retainer
$3,000
+ GST per month
Everything in Core, plus I draft and deliver the work we agree to prioritise, as the plan allows.
- Drafting and delivery of the agreed priorities
- Position descriptions, pricing models, KPI frameworks, board papers
- Monthly financial review with utilisation and cost to serve flagged
Best for providers scaling or restructuring who need someone consistently in the detail.
Embedded Retainer
$5,500
+ GST per month
Everything in Partner, plus I work alongside your leadership at close range.
- Access to your leadership channels
- Mentoring for your senior clinicians
- Compliance framework, service agreements and workforce planning
Best for high-growth or complex reform environments with a weekly decision load.
At a Glance
| Core | Partner | Embedded | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee + GST | $1,500 | $3,000 | $5,500 |
| Session rhythm | Fortnightly or monthly | Fortnightly | Weekly |
| Between sessions | Review and feedback | Active drafting and delivery | Full production and implementation |
| Team contact | You only | Your team for specific deliverables | Direct access for your leadership team |
| Hands-on delivery | No | Yes | Yes |
| Each quarter | Written review and action plan | Review, action plan and the quarter's drafted work | Review, action plan and continuous delivery |
| My role | Advisor with ongoing access | Working partner | Works alongside your leadership team |
What I work on
Your retainer focuses on whichever of these matter most right now, and shifts as your business evolves.
Margin and financial sustainability
Pricing models, margin analysis and cost to serve modelling. The financial reporting that shows you where the money actually goes.
Workforce and systems
Hiring, role design, salary bands and caseload management. Practice management systems, CRM, knowledge bases and automation.
Growth and diversification
Referral pipeline development, BD strategy and account management. Market entry, service mix and moving into a new funding stream.
Reform readiness and compliance
NDIS and Aged Care reform navigation and registration strategy. Audit readiness, clinical governance and policy development.
A partner who has run the business
300+
Clinicians at the provider I co-founded
$15m+
Annual revenue at that business
130+
Allied Health providers I have worked with
100%
Independent advice, no clinical services
"Trystan is one of the most knowledgeable and informed Allied Health consultants in the sector. What stands out is how he shares it. Clear, generous and always willing to give his time. Every conversation I've had with Trystan has left me better informed."
"I can confidently say he is one of the most driven, strategic, and trustworthy professionals I've ever met... Trystan brings a rare combination of leadership, innovation, and integrity to everything he does."
Not sure which tier fits?
I'll ask about your business, your team, your priorities and what's in front of you right now. From there, I'll recommend whether a retainer is the right fit and, if so, which tier matches your situation.