House cleaning and household tasks
NDIS Core support
Help with regular cleaning and other household tasks, such as laundry, tidying and keeping the home safe and comfortable to live in.
The short answer
This support helps with regular cleaning and other household jobs such as laundry, tidying and keeping the home safe and comfortable.
About House cleaning and household tasks
A clean, organised home matters for health, safety and wellbeing, yet cleaning and other household jobs can be hard when you have a disability or health condition. A support worker can help with vacuuming, mopping, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, laundry, changing beds and tidying.
You decide how involved you want to be. Some people prefer tasks to be done for them, while others like to work alongside a worker and keep doing what they can. Being clear about your priorities, such as what must be cleaned and how you like things arranged, helps the worker do the job the way you want.
Because a worker will be in your home regularly, trust and reliability are important. Ask providers about how they choose and train workers, what checks they carry out and what to do if you are not happy with the standard of work.
Who is this service for?
People who find it hard to keep on top of cleaning, laundry and other household jobs because of their disability.
What a typical session looks like
A cleaning visit follows a checklist agreed with you, such as vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, kitchen, changing bed linen and taking out rubbish. The worker arrives at the arranged time, uses cleaning products that suit you and your home, and leaves it tidy. Some visits also cover tasks like laundry or ironing.
Regular visits help keep the home safe and comfortable, particularly if you have difficulty with heavy or repetitive tasks. It is worth talking about what matters most to you, such as certain rooms, products or the way things are stored, so the worker does things the way you want.
Who delivers this support
Cleaning and household tasks are carried out by domestic assistance workers, support workers and cleaning companies. Some providers specialise in support for people with a disability and understand issues such as allergies, hoarding, accessibility and respecting your belongings. Ask whether workers are screened and insured, and who is responsible if something is damaged.
How to choose a provider
- Ask how often workers visit and how you can change the schedule.
- Find out how they choose and vet workers who come into your home.
- Check who supplies the cleaning products and equipment.
- Ask how they handle allergies and preferences for products.
- Find out what happens if your regular worker is away.
Questions to ask a provider
- What is included in a visit, and how can I change the list of tasks?
- What products do you use, and can you use my own if I have allergies or preferences?
- How do you screen workers, and what insurance do you have?
- What happens if something is damaged or goes missing?
- Can I have the same worker each time?
- How do I change or cancel a visit?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not agreeing on a written list of tasks, which leads to misunderstandings.
- Not mentioning allergies or sensitivities to certain products.
- Leaving valuables out or not agreeing what the worker can and cannot touch.
- Not checking insurance and screening.
- Assuming heavy work such as moving furniture or garden work is included.
Getting started
- Write down the tasks you want help with and how often.
- Contact providers and ask for availability in your area.
- Agree what is included and what is not in your service agreement.
- Review after a few visits and adjust the tasks.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
This support frees your time and energy for other things and works alongside household management, meal preparation and personal care. It may be scheduled around other appointments and supports. For some people, the aim is to keep the home safe and healthy, and for others it is to keep up independence by getting help with the tasks that are hardest.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for House cleaning and household tasks 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
Core supports help with everyday activities and are usually the most flexible part of an NDIS plan. If House cleaning and household tasks is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Core budget. Your plan shows how much you have and how it can be used. 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 House cleaning and household tasks 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.
Domestic assistance providers on the NDIS register
15,318 NDIS providers list domestic assistance supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing domestic assistance
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Call Rubbish Removal - VIC; includes Greenvale, VIC
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
See all 15,318 domestic assistance providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (5,269)
- Victoria (4,571)
- Queensland (2,690)
- South Australia (1,386)
- Western Australia (1,262)
- Australian Capital Territory (331)
- Northern Territory (305)
- Tasmania (280)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (650)
- Melbourne, VIC (534)
- Sydney, NSW (396)
- Central Coast, NSW (314)
- Perth, WA (295)
- Adelaide, SA (258)
- Blacktown, NSW (255)
- Parramatta, NSW (248)
- Liverpool, NSW (214)
- Tarneit, VIC (209)
- Canberra, ACT (199)
- Werribee, VIC (199)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Simply You Plan Management - 324 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Residence Revival - 243 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
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
Frequently asked questions
What household tasks can a support worker help with?
Common examples are cleaning, laundry, changing beds, tidying and keeping the home safe. The mix depends on what you need and what you agree with your provider.
Can I do some tasks myself?
Yes. Many people share tasks with a worker or work towards doing more themselves. Tell your provider what matters to you.
How do I get a reliable cleaner?
Ask about regular schedules, how workers are chosen and what happens if your regular worker is away. Reading the service agreement carefully helps avoid surprises.
Can I do some of the cleaning myself?
Yes. Many people share tasks with a worker or work towards doing more themselves.
What if something is damaged?
Ask the provider about insurance and how they handle damage. Report anything promptly.
Can the worker use my own cleaning products?
Usually yes. Tell the worker what you prefer, especially if you have allergies.
Can I ask for the same cleaner each time?
Many providers try to arrange this because consistency helps. Ask about it when you set up the service, and let them know if a change of worker does not suit you.
What if I am not happy with the standard of cleaning?
Talk to the worker or provider soon after, and be specific about what needs to change. A good provider will want to fix it.
Does the worker need to be home when I am there?
You decide. Some people prefer to be at home, while others give the worker access. Agree this in advance and put it in writing.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for House cleaning and household tasks?
If House cleaning and household tasks 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 House cleaning and household tasks 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
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.