Assistance animal upkeep

NDIS support

Help with the ongoing costs and care of an assistance animal, such as food, veterinary care and grooming, so the animal stays healthy and able to do its work.

The short answer

Upkeep is the ongoing care an assistance animal needs to stay healthy and able to work, such as food, veterinary care and grooming. Good routines protect both the animal and the person who depends on it.

About Assistance animal upkeep

An assistance animal works every day, and its wellbeing affects how well it can do its job. Ongoing costs and care include food, regular veterinary checks, vaccinations, parasite control, grooming and replacing equipment such as harnesses and leads.

Keeping records helps. Notes from veterinary visits, receipts and the animal's routine make it easier to plan, to show what has been needed and to spot changes in health early.

If you are unsure what is covered in your plan or by other arrangements, speak to your support coordinator, planner or the organisation that trained your animal. They can explain how upkeep is usually managed and what evidence may be needed.

Who is this service for?

People with an assistance animal who need help with the ongoing care of that animal, such as food, veterinary care and grooming.

What a typical session looks like

Upkeep is the everyday and occasional care that keeps an assistance animal healthy and able to work. Day to day, that means feeding, grooming, exercise, toileting and keeping up the routines the animal was trained with. Less often it means veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control and any treatment the animal needs.

Because the animal is working, its wellbeing directly affects how well it can support you. An animal that is unwell, tired or in pain may struggle to do its tasks, so regular checks and a consistent routine are a practical part of the arrangement, not an extra.

Who delivers this support

The main carer for an assistance animal is normally the person it supports, sometimes with help from family, a support worker or the organisation that trained the animal. Veterinarians provide the health care, and the training organisation or a specialist trainer can advise on working behaviour, refresher training and any changes needed as the animal ages.

How to choose a provider

• Choose a veterinarian who is comfortable working with assistance animals and understands their role.
• Ask whether there are veterinary clinics near you that offer services suited to working animals.
• Keep a simple record of veterinary visits, feeding and equipment so you can plan ahead.
• Ask the training organisation for guidance on diet, exercise and signs of stress.
• Plan what happens if the animal is unwell and cannot work for a period.

Questions to ask a provider

• What routine care does my animal need, and what should I watch for?
• How often should the animal see a vet, and what should be checked?
• When should I contact the training organisation for a refresher or advice?
• What plan is there for the animal's retirement or replacement when the time comes?
• Who can help me look after the animal if I am unwell or in hospital?
• How should I keep records of the animal's health and care?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Delaying veterinary checks because the animal seems fine, when small problems can affect its ability to work.
• Letting routines and training slip so that the animal's behaviour gradually changes.
• Not having a plan for who cares for the animal if you cannot.
• Forgetting to keep records, which can be needed for access, insurance or funding purposes.
• Leaving retirement planning until it is urgent.

Getting started

1. Ask your training organisation for an upkeep guide.
2. Register with a local veterinary clinic.
3. Check how upkeep costs are dealt with in your plan.
4. Set up a regular routine for feeding, grooming and check-ups.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Upkeep needs to be planned along with the rest of your supports. It is a recurring part of having an assistance animal and it changes over time, especially as the animal grows older and eventually retires. Thinking about this early helps you keep the animal healthy and avoid being caught out by a sudden need.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Assistance animal upkeep if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Assistance animal upkeep depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Assistance animal upkeep that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Assistance animals
• Community nursing care
• Continence products
• Customised prosthetics and orthotics

Frequently asked questions

What does assistance animal upkeep cover?

It relates to the everyday care needed to keep an assistance animal healthy and able to work, such as feeding, veterinary care, grooming and equipment. Check your plan for what is included.

Why does the health of an assistance animal matter?

An animal that is unwell or uncomfortable cannot do its job reliably. Regular veterinary care and good routines help protect both the animal and the person who depends on it.

Who do I speak to about upkeep arrangements?

Start with your planner or support coordinator, and with the organisation that trained your animal. They can explain what is usually needed and how to keep records for your plan.

How often should an assistance animal see the vet?

Regular check-ups are recommended, and your veterinarian can suggest a schedule based on the animal's age, breed and health.

What if my animal is sick and cannot work?

Have a plan in place for support while the animal recovers, such as help from a support worker or family. Speak to your training organisation for advice.

Should I keep records of upkeep costs?

It is a good idea. Records help you plan, and they can be useful if you are asked to show how funds were used.

Who should I talk to if my assistance animal's behaviour changes?

Start with your vet to rule out pain or illness, then contact the organisation or trainer that worked with you. Behaviour changes are often an early sign that something needs attention.

What happens when an assistance animal gets too old to work?

Many animals retire and continue to live with their handler or another family, and a replacement may be considered. It helps to discuss this with the training organisation well ahead of time.

Can someone else look after my animal if I go into hospital?

Often yes, but it needs to be arranged in advance. Choose someone the animal knows, and give them clear instructions about routines and health needs.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Assistance animal upkeep?

If Assistance animal upkeep is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Assistance animal upkeep provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

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