Maintaining a clean, safe, and functional home is essential for health, dignity, and independent living. For many Australians living with disability, everyday household tasks can become physically exhausting, unsafe, or overwhelming.
That’s where NDIS domestic assistance comes in.
Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), participants may receive funding for household tasks through Core Supports. However, funding is only approved when it meets the reasonable and necessary criteria.
In this guide, we explains:
- What domestic support NDIS covers
- The top 10 household tasks funded
- Eligibility and evidence requirements
- What is not covered
- How SIL and ILO differ
- How to get approved at your plan review
Let’s break it down clearly.
What Is NDIS Domestic Assistance?
NDIS domestic assistance refers to funded support that helps participants complete essential household tasks they cannot safely perform due to disability.
It sits under:
- This funding is designed to maintain
- Health and hygiene
- Safety in the home
- Independent living
- Reduced risk of hospitalisation
Importantly, NDIS funds disability-related support, not general lifestyle services.
Understanding the “Reasonable and Necessary” Rule
To receive household support, it must:
- Be directly related to your disability
- Represent value for money
- Not be a standard day-to-day living cost
- Not be the responsibility of informal supports
- Be supported by evidence (e.g., OT report)
For example:
- If arthritis prevents bending to clean a bathroom safely → likely funded
- If you simply prefer not to clean → not funded
Who Is Eligible for NDIS Household Support?
Funding is based on functional capacity, not diagnosis alone.
Common qualifying conditions include:
- Reduced mobility
- Neurological conditions
- Intellectual disability
- Psychosocial disability
- Chronic fatigue conditions
- Musculoskeletal disorders
Evidence You May Need:
- Occupational Therapy functional capacity assessment
- GP report
- Allied health letters
- Falls risk assessment
- Infection risk documentation
At Care I Wish, we always recommend participants gather clear functional evidence before requesting domestic assistance.
Top 10 Household Tasks Covered Under NDIS Domestic Assistance
Below are the most commonly approved household tasks NDIS covers when disability impacts safety or function.
1. General House Cleaning
Includes:
- Vacuuming and mopping
- Bathroom cleaning
- Kitchen sanitation
- Dusting accessible areas
NDIS cleaning services focus on essential hygiene — not aesthetic or luxury cleaning.
2. Laundry and Linen Changes
Includes:
- Washing and drying clothes
- Folding laundry
- Changing bed sheets
This is often approved where mobility, fatigue, or chronic pain limit safe lifting and bending.
3. Meal Preparation Support
Includes:
- Cutting vegetables
- Safe food handling
- Basic cooking assistance
- Supervised meal prep
Important:
NDIS funds support worker time, not groceries.
4. Dishwashing and Kitchen Hygiene
Includes:
- Washing dishes
- Sanitising benches
- Food storage support
This reduces infection risk and promotes health.
5. Grocery Shopping Assistance
Includes:
- Accompanied shopping
- Online ordering assistance
- Carrying groceries
Again, NDIS funds the support — not the food.
6. Rubbish Removal and Waste Management
Includes:
- Taking bins out
- Managing household waste
- Hygiene-related disposal needs
This is especially important for participants with continence support needs.
7. Bed Making and Bedroom Maintenance
Includes:
- Making beds
- Adjusting bedding
- Maintaining safe sleeping environment
Often funded where physical strength is limited.
8. Decluttering for Accessibility
Includes:
- Clearing pathways
- Organising assistive devices
- Falls prevention adjustments
This is frequently recommended by occupational therapists.
9. Basic Yard Maintenance (Safety-Based)
May include:
- Lawn mowing
- Clearing pathways
- Removing hazards
Only funded if directly related to safety and disability impact.
10. Minor Home Safety Tasks
Includes:
- Changing light bulbs
- Checking smoke alarm batteries
- Minor risk-reduction tasks
Major repairs or renovations are not covered.
What NDIS Domestic Assistance Does NOT Cover
To avoid confusion, NDIS does not fund:
- Structural home repairs
- Renovations
- Landscaping upgrades
- Deep commercial cleaning
- Holiday property cleaning
- Groceries
- General handyman services
Understanding these limits protects participants from plan misunderstandings.
SIL vs ILO vs In-Home Domestic Support
Domestic assistance works differently depending on your support model.
1. Supported Independent Living (SIL)
- Cleaning is included within rostered supports
- Shared household model
- 24/7 or high-intensity support
2. Individualised Living Options (ILO)
- Flexible support arrangement
- May include co-resident support
- Tailored domestic help
3. Standard In-Home Core Supports
- Hourly domestic support
- Participant lives independently
- Flexible scheduling
Understanding this difference is critical when planning your funding request.
How Many Hours of Domestic Assistance Can You Get?
There is no fixed number.
It depends on:
- Severity of disability
- Living alone or shared
- Informal supports available
- Risk level
- OT recommendations
Low support needs may receive a few hours per week. Higher support participants may receive significantly more.
How to Get Domestic Assistance Approved
Here’s a practical strategy Care I Wish uses:
- Document safety risks
- Obtain OT functional assessment
- Link request to NDIS goals
- Use disability-specific language
- Prepare for plan review discussion
Why Domestic Assistance Matters for Health and Independence
Domestic assistance is not about convenience.
It:
- Prevents hospitalisation
- Reduces carer burnout
- Improves mental wellbeing
- Maintains dignity
- Supports independent living
In many cases, small weekly support prevents major health costs later.
Common Mistakes Participants Make
- Asking for a “cleaner” instead of disability support
- Not providing evidence
- Failing to link to goals
- Expecting groceries to be funded
- Ignoring informal support assessment
Avoiding these mistakes increases approval success.
Why Choose Care I Wish for Domestic Assistance Support?
Care I Wish is a registered NDIS provider delivering reliable, person-centred NDIS domestic assistance across Victoria.
We support participants with household tasks under Core Supports, ensuring every service meets the reasonable and necessary criteria.
Our experienced support workers assist with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation and daily living tasks while promoting independence, dignity and safety at home.
We tailor support to your goals, functional capacity and plan funding, including SIL and in-home care. With a strong focus on compliance, quality and compassionate care, Care I Wish helps you live confidently and independently in your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if disability prevents you from safely completing essential tasks.
Yes, when related to safety and disability impact.
No. It funds support worker time only.
Yes, depending on plan management type.
Yes, as part of rostered support.
Usually an OT assessment and medical documentation.
