Did you know? Like Family can help you manage your home with NDIS cleaning services

The NDIS gives Australians suffering with a permanent disability the tools and support they need to live a fulfilling life. While that may mean special equipment for their disability, it also includes services like keeping their homes clean so they can live fulfilling, independent lives.

However, exactly who can use NDIS funding for domestic cleaning services can be a bit confusing, so we're here to break down the details so you can feel confident and in control of your NDIS plan.

Is cleaning a “reasonable and necessary” support?

The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary, which means the support needs to be connected to your disability and help you live a more independent and fulfilling life.

When it comes to cleaning, this generally means that your disability makes it extremely difficult for you to clean independently.

The NDIS doesn't fund cleaning in plans for children, as kids aren’t expected to clean a home. It also won’t offer funds for cleaning if you live in a shared household with other people who are capable of cleaning.

It’s not designed for specialised cleaning services that everyone needs occasionally, either, like professional carpet cleaning.

Instead, NDIS cleaning services are designed as a regular way to keep your home clean so you can live a healthy, fulfilling life.

What funding category does NDIS cleaning use?

All NDIS plans are designed to offer individualised support, with funding broken up across three main funding categories.

Cleaning services fall under the Core Supports budget in your NDIS plan. Specifically, they will be a part of your “Assistance with Daily Living” funding.

Take a look at your plan to see if you have a budget allocated in this category. If you do, and it's flexible (which Core Supports usually are), you can use it for cleaning.

If your plan does not have funding in this category, you may need to request a plan review if you want your plan to include funds for cleaning services.

You will need to explain how cleaning services are a "reasonable and necessary" support that helps you live more independently.

Understanding cleaning costs and your NDIS budget

The NDIS has a price guide that sets the maximum hourly rates for different supports on the NDIS, including the rate for cleaning.

The NDIS Price Guide gets updated regularly, so it’s always best to check the latest version for current hourly rates. The price can also vary depending on where you live.

When it comes to managing your NDIS cleaning budget, you’ll have to find a provider who charges less than the NDIS’s maximum hourly rate. Like Family charges a flat hourly rate for its social support services, including cleaning. That’s 11% under the NDIS hourly limit.

You’ll also need to calculate how many hours of cleaning you’ll need each week or fortnight to keep your home tidy or safe, while keeping that total cost within your NDIS plan’s budget.

Also note that some providers may charge for travel time or kilometres as an extra charge, and must follow the NDIS price guide.

Choosing the right cleaner for your plan

How you find and pay for a cleaner depends on how your NDIS plan is managed.

• Self-Managed: You have the most flexibility. You can hire any cleaner you like, whether they're NDIS-registered or not. The cleaner just requires a valid ABN and to give you a proper invoice so you can claim the funds back from the NDIS.
• Plan-Managed: Your plan manager pays your providers for you. You can still choose any provider with a valid ABN. The provider will send their invoice directly to your plan manager for payment.
• NDIA-Managed: The NDIA pays your providers directly. In this case, you must select a provider who is formally registered with the NDIS. You can find registered providers using the NDIS Provider Finder tool.

No matter how your plan is managed, it's always a good idea to have a clear service agreement with your provider. This document should lay out the services to be delivered, how often, the agreed-upon price, and any other important details.

How Like Family can help you with your NDIS cleaning needs

How Like Family Can Help You with Your NDIS Cleaning Needs

A clean and tidy home is essential for your well-being. Like Family’s Social Carers are here to help with a wide range of household tasks, including cleaning, laundry, and meal preparation. We focus on providing compassionate support that empowers you to live more independently.

Whether you're self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed, our team is ready to help you find the right support. Our rates are affordable, and our Social Carers are carefully vetted to ensure they are the kind of people you'd welcome into your home.

Ready to find a support worker who feels like family?