Once you know your NDIS plan includes funding for household tasks, the real question is how that funding actually works. This guide focuses on the plan and funding mechanics: which budget category household tasks sit under, what is actually in scope, how to allocate your hours sensibly, and how to claim and manage this support.
Which NDIS budget covers household tasks
Household tasks and domestic assistance sit under the Assistance with Daily Life category in your NDIS plan. This funding covers support for activities you cannot reasonably do yourself because of your disability, so you can maintain your home and take part more fully in everyday life.
It is worth being clear about what this funding is not. It is specifically for support connected to your disability, not for general household maintenance that any homeowner or tenant would be expected to manage regardless of disability.
What household tasks are in scope
Support that is typically in scope includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, bed making and washing dishes, along with laundry tasks such as washing, drying, folding and ironing.
Meal related support is another common component, including meal planning, grocery shopping, food preparation and cooking assistance, and in some cases a support worker teaching cooking skills as part of building your independence. Garden maintenance connected to safety and accessibility, such as clearing pathways or maintaining a ramp, may also be included depending on your plan.
Some participants also receive support to organise their living space, manage household supplies, or complete essential errands. The test that applies throughout is whether the task is a reasonable and necessary support connected to your disability, not simply a task you would prefer help with.
What generally falls outside this funding is just as important to understand. Household tasks funding is not intended to cover major home renovations, structural repairs, or general maintenance that a landlord or body corporate would normally be responsible for. It is also not there to fund tasks entirely unrelated to your disability that any household member would be expected to share, such as a partner’s personal washing or cleaning in areas you do not use. If you are ever unsure whether something is in scope, it is worth checking with your planner or support coordinator before assuming it is covered.
How to allocate your hours
Most participants are allocated a set number of hours or a budget amount for household tasks each week or fortnight, rather than unlimited support. Getting the most from this allocation usually comes down to a few practical habits.
- List your household tasks in order of priority, so the most important jobs are covered first if your hours are limited, rather than working through tasks in no particular order
- Talk to your support worker about your priorities and preferences clearly, rather than assuming they already know what matters most to you from one visit to the next
- Schedule regular sessions rather than ad hoc support where possible, since consistency helps a support worker become familiar with your home and work more efficiently within your allocated hours
- Batch similar tasks together where it makes sense, such as combining a grocery shop with meal preparation, so your hours cover more ground in a single visit
- Review your allocation if your circumstances change, rather than continuing to stretch hours that no longer match your actual needs
Where appropriate, your support worker might also help you build the skills to complete some tasks independently over time. This is a deliberate part of many plans, gradually reducing the level of assistance needed in some areas while keeping support in place where it is still genuinely required.
How to claim and manage your funding
How you claim household tasks funding depends on how your NDIS plan is managed.
If you are self-managed, you choose your own providers and pay invoices directly, then claim reimbursement through the NDIS portal. This gives you the most flexibility but also the most administration.
Plan-managed participants work with a plan manager who pays providers on their behalf, while you retain choice and control over who provides your services. This is a popular middle ground that reduces paperwork while keeping flexibility.
Under an agency-managed plan, the NDIA pays registered providers directly after services are delivered, and providers submit claims on your behalf. Whichever management type applies to you, keep records of the services you receive and check your budget regularly through the NDIS myplace portal so you always know how much of your allocation remains.
What happens to unused funding
Unused household tasks funding generally does not carry over to your next plan period, and cannot usually be shifted into another budget category without a plan variation. If you consistently have funding left over, it is worth mentioning at your next plan review, since it may suggest your current allocation is more than you need. Equally, if you regularly run short, that is a clear reason to discuss increasing your household support funding at your review.
Keeping your plan aligned with your actual needs
Household tasks funding works best when your plan reflects how you actually live, not a generic estimate made at your last planning meeting. It is worth revisiting your allocation whenever something changes, whether that is a change in your health, a move to a new home, or simply realising that the mix of tasks you need help with has shifted since your last review.
Bringing specifics to that conversation, such as which tasks take the most time, which you have started managing independently, and where you consistently need more support than allocated, makes it far easier for your planner to set a budget that actually matches your week.
For the full picture of our household tasks and domestic assistance services in Perth, visit our NDIS household tasks support page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my NDIS funding for regular house cleaning?
Yes, if you have funding allocated for household tasks in your plan, you can use it for regular cleaning services. The support needs to relate to your disability and cover tasks you cannot reasonably do yourself. General property maintenance that any resident is expected to manage is not typically covered.
How many hours of household support can I get each week?
This varies significantly depending on your individual needs and what was approved in your plan. Some participants receive a few hours a week, others with higher support needs receive daily assistance. Your Assistance with Daily Life budget determines the total funding available for household tasks and other daily living supports.
Can my family member be paid to do my household tasks through the NDIS?
Generally, the NDIS does not fund informal supports that families would reasonably provide. In limited circumstances, where no other suitable support is available, a family member may be engaged as a paid support worker, but this usually requires justification during your planning meeting and needs to meet specific NDIA criteria. It is best to discuss this with your planner or Local Area Coordinator.
What happens if I do not use all my household tasks funding?
Unused funding in this category cannot usually be carried over to your next plan period or shifted to another budget without a plan variation. If you consistently have leftover funding, it may indicate your allocated support is more than you need, which is worth raising at your next plan review. If you regularly run short, that is a reason to discuss increasing your funding instead.
Can I change how my household tasks hours are used partway through my plan?
Yes, within the funding you already have. You can adjust priorities with your support worker or provider as your circumstances change. If your overall level of need changes significantly, that is a matter for a plan review rather than a simple change in how existing hours are used.
