How the NDIS (and Like Family) can help you maintain your garden

There's plenty of evidence that ongoing exposure to plants and gardening is good for your mental and physical health. But for many NDIS participants, maintaining a garden can quickly become an overwhelming burden.

The good news is that your NDIS plan may be able to help you cover the costs of maintaining your garden and outdoor spaces.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to NDIS gardening support, so this guide is designed to help you understand all the different elements of using your NDIS plan for garden and yard maintenance.

Understanding NDIS Gardening Support

Activities like cleaning, gardening, and home maintenance are all classified by the NDIS under Support Category 1 (Assistance with Daily Living). This is a Core Support, so if you have funding in your plan's Core budget, you can use it to get help around the house or garden.

Maintaining your outdoor space isn't just about aesthetics. It's about safety, accessibility, and your ability to live independently in your own home.

NDIS gardening and cleaning services are designed to provide practical assistance for participants who find daily household tasks challenging due to their disability.

What's covered under NDIS gardening support

When we discuss NDIS-funded gardening assistance, we're referring to practicalmaintenance tasks that help keep your outdoor areas safe and accessible.

NDIS-funded yard work usually falls under the Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life category.

Typical gardening tasks that may be covered include:

• Lawn mowing and basic grass maintenance
• Weeding garden beds and pathways
• Pruning overgrown bushes and shrubs
• Clearing fallen leaves and debris
• Maintaining safe access paths to your home
• Basic garden bed maintenance
• Hedge trimming for safety and access

What's generally not covered:

It's important to understand that soil, plants, and gardening tools are not claimable items as part of this support. These are not related to your disability, as anyone would need to buy these to upkeep their garden. The NDIS focuses on the labour and assistance rather than materials or aesthetic improvements.

• New landscaping or garden design
• Purchasing plants, soil, or gardening equipment
• Decorative or aesthetic improvements
• Installing new garden features or structures

Who can access NDIS gardening support?

Participants whose NDIS plan includes Assistance with Daily Life funding and whose disability prevents them from performing the gardening tasks independently may access these services. But as with all NDIS funding, it needs to be considered “reasonable and necessary”.

Your eligibility for gardening support depends on several factors:

Your disability impact: The gardening tasks must be something you cannot safely or effectively complete due to your disability. This could be due to mobility limitations, chronic fatigue, sensory impairments, or other disability-related challenges.

Safety considerations: If overgrown gardens or unmaintained outdoor areas pose safety risks—such as creating trip hazards, blocking emergency exits, or attracting pests—this strengthens the case for NDIS funding.

Reasonable and necessary criteria: Like all NDIS supports, gardening assistance must meet the scheme's "reasonable and necessary" criteria. This means the support must be directly related to your disability needs and represent good value for money.

Types of gardening support available

Support workers for gardening tasks

Many NDIS participants choose to work with support workers who can assist with gardening tasks. Another option is to enlist a Support Worker to assist you with the jobs you're unable to do. This is described as 'Assistance with Personal Domestic Activities' and this also falls under the Assistance with Daily Living Support Category.

This approach offers several advantages:

• Continuity of care: Working with the same support worker builds familiarity with your preferences and garden needs
• Flexibility: Support workers can adapt to your changing needs and energy levels
• Skill development: Some support workers can help you learn modified gardening techniques that work with your disability
• Companionship: Gardening together can be both productive and socially enriching

Professional gardening services

For participants who require more intensive garden maintenance, professional gardening services may be the right choice. These providers often have:

• Specialised equipment for efficient garden maintenance
• Professional training in safe gardening practices
• Insurance and workers' compensation coverage
• Experience working within NDIS guidelines

How to access NDIS gardening support

Step 1: Review your current plan

Check your NDIS plan to see if you have funding allocated for Core Supports, specifically "Assistance with Daily Life." If it’s not there, you’ll need to make a case for its inclusion in your next plan review.

Step 2: Document your need

Before your next plan review, document why gardening assistance is necessary for you:

• Take photos of garden areas that pose safety risks
• Keep a diary of how your disability impacts your ability to maintain outdoor spaces
• Note any incidents or near-misses related to garden maintenance
• Consider getting a letter from your healthcare provider if mobility or safety is a concern

Step 3: Include in your plan review

During your plan review meeting:

• Clearly explain how your disability prevents you from maintaining your garden independently
• Discuss safety concerns and accessibility needs
• Provide evidence of your current garden maintenance challenges
• Request specific funding for "Assistance with Daily Life" activities

Step 4: Finding the right support

Once you have funding approved:

• Research local providers who understand NDIS requirements
• Ask about their experience with disability support
• Ensure they have appropriate insurance and qualifications
• Consider whether you'd prefer individual support workers or professional services

Making the most of your gardening support

Communication is Key

Whether working with support workers or professional gardeners, clear communication ensures you get the support you need:

• Create a priority list of gardening tasks
• Discuss your preferences and any plants or areas that are particularly important to you
• Communicate about seasonal needs and changes
• Provide feedback

Stay involved as much as possible

Even with gardening support, you might still be able to participate in ways that work for your disability:

• Try to complete light tasks like watering plants or deadheading flowers
• Plan and direct your garden’s layout
• Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of being in the garden space
• Learn adaptive gardening techniques from your support workers

Budget management

NDIS Core funding is quite flexible, and you do get to select the services you require if they meet the NDIS guidelines, so you can balance gardening support with other daily living assistance based on your priorities and seasonal needs.

Get back to your garden with Like Family

At Like Family, we understand that every person's gardening needs are different, just as every disability experience is unique.

Our compassionate support workers don't just see gardening as another task to tick off. They understand the sense of wellbeing that comes with maintaining spaces that bring you joy.

Our experienced carers can assist with gardening tasks as part of comprehensive daily living support, working alongside you to ensure your outdoor spaces remain safe, accessible, and welcoming.

Whether it's helping with weekly lawn maintenance, seasonal garden clean-ups, or simply being there to support you as you tend to your favourite plants, we're here to help you get back to the garden on your terms.

We'll work with you to understand your preferences, respect your connection to your garden, and provide the gentle, reliable support you need to keep your outdoor spaces thriving.

Ready to reclaim your garden? Contact our friendly Customer Care team at hello@likefamily.com.au today to discuss how our support workers can help make your gardening goals a reality through your NDIS plan.