Getting help around the house can be an important part of building independence and feeling like you have control of your life.
Here at Leap in! HQ we get a lot of questions about how the NDIS works for gardens, lawn maintenance and house cleaning.
Today we’re answering some of those questions and providing the latest hourly rates for help around the home.
Q: Which budget does funding for gardens, lawns or house cleaning come from?
A: You can use your Core supports – Assistance with Daily Living funding flexibly to pay for garden, lawn or house cleaning services.
Q. What types of home maintenance will the NDIS cover?
A: The NDIS may cover the following items:
- Lawn mowing
- Weeding
- Garden maintenance
- Trimming edges
- Cleaning
- Vacuuming and mopping.
Note that the NDIS does not fund tip / dumping fees or the cost of cleaning supplies such as sponges, mops and detergents.
Q: How do I know if I can use my NDIS funding for these items?
A: Like any support or service purchased with your NDIS funding, purchase of these items meet the “reasonable and necessary” test. It must be related to your disability, likely to be effective for you and offer value for money.
If you are unable to do something because of your disability and the support item meets the reasonable and necessary test, you may be able to purchase it with your NDIS funding.
Q: Do I need to get a quote?
A: For general hourly based services, you will not need to obtain a quote. Quotes are required for any building or construction work that might fall under home modifications.
Q: Will the NDIS pay to get my curtains cleaned?
A: If your disability prevents you from being able to wash your curtains, you may be able to obtain support for Linen Service through the NDIS. Linen Service is subject to a quote and can only be used if it is a stated item in your NDIS Plan.
Q: Can I pay for a tradesperson to carry out repairs using my NDIS funding?
A: The best test to apply here is whether a person without a disability would need to hire a specialist person in order to get the job done.
For example, if you need to hire a plumber to fix a leaking pipe, that is a professional service that most people would need to hire a plumber to do – so it cannot be funded by the NDIS.
If you are unable to trim your garden edging because of your disability, that is something many people without disabilities are able to do, so you may be able to fund a person to trim your edging with your NDIS funds.
Q: How much can I pay per hour for yard maintenance or cleaning?
A: Price limits from the new price guide effective 1 December 2020 are as follows.
Assistance with household tasks
When someone comes in to undertake essential household tasks that you are not able to undertake because of your disability.
House or yard activities
- National – $49.30 per hour
- Remote – $69.02 per hour
- Very remote – $73.95 per hour
House cleaning
- National – $50.20 per hour
- Remote – $70.28 per hour
- Very remote – $75.30 per hour
Assistance with personal domestic activities
When a support worker assists you to undertake or develop skills to maintain your own home environment such as assisting with house or yard work.
- National – $51.09 per hour
- Remote – $71.53 per hour
- Very remote – $76.64 per hour
Q: I would like a vegetable garden but am unable to build it because of my disability. Can I use my NDIS funding to get someone to build my garden?
A: Yes. If it meets the reasonable and necessary test, you may use your NDIS funds to pay for a person to create a garden and plant vegetables, trees or flowers as well as look after them after they are planted.
However you cannot use the funding to purchase building materials, plants, soil, mulch, or garden equipment (with the exception of assistive technology that is related to your disability).
Q: Will the NDIS fund support to help me declutter?
A: If you have a tendency to hoard or clutter because of your disability, you may be able to fund cleaning support or a decluttering service to help tidy and organise your home.
Q: Can I choose my own provider?
A: You can choose any provider if you self manage or are plan managed. If your NDIS Plan is Agency managed, you will need to use an NDIS registered provider.
Want to learn more?
Get specialist advice from our dedicated team, experienced in helping you get the most out of your NDIS Plan. We provide smart connections to providers near you, matched with the budgets you have available.
To find out more, call us on 1300 05 78 78, visit our website (online chat available) or email crew@leapin.com.au.
Further Reading
Assistance with Daily Life: NDIS budget areas explained.
Looking after the house and garden: What will the NDIS cover?