NDIS personal care services are an essential support that helps people with disability live with dignity, independence and safety. These supports include hands-on assistance with daily personal tasks such as showering, dressing, toileting, medication prompts, mobility assistance and other intimate care activities that a participant may need to take part in everyday life. When delivered well, personal care services help people achieve their goals — staying healthy, participating in community life and maintaining choice and control.
Who can access NDIS personal care services?
Personal care supports can be funded by the NDIS for participants when those supports are considered reasonable and necessary to help achieve the participant’s goals and meet their support needs. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assesses whether a requested support is reasonable and necessary by looking at whether it is related to the participant’s disability, helps them pursue their goals, represents value for money and does not duplicate informal supports. This means not every personal care request is automatically funded — it must be justified in the participant’s plan.
What’s typically included in personal care services?
Common elements of NDIS personal care services include:
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Assistance with showering, dressing and personal hygiene
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Help with mobility and transfers (e.g., bed ↔ wheelchair)
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Support with eating and drinking where required
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Assistance with medication prompts and basic health monitoring (within scope)
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Toileting and continence support
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Support to build daily living skills so participants can increase independence over time
Personal care can be delivered in a range of settings — at home, in the community, at school or at work — depending on what the participant needs and what is funded in their plan.
Providers, safety and quality
When a participant chooses a registered provider, that provider must meet the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s Practice Standards and is regulated accordingly. These frameworks set expectations for safe, respectful, person-centred delivery of supports, including workforce screening, worker training and incident management. Participants should always feel able to check a provider’s registration status and make complaints to the NDIS Commission if they have concerns about safety or quality.
Cost and pricing
NDIS personal care supports are paid according to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Providers use the NDIA’s cost models and price limits to set fees for disability support worker services; participants should always confirm how supports are billed (hourly, shift, or packaged arrangements) and check their plan funding. Price arrangements are updated periodically, so participants and providers need to stay informed about current limits and how charges are applied.
How to access personal care through the NDIS
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Include the support in your plan: During planning conversations, explain the functional impact of your support needs and how personal care helps you achieve your goals.
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Get a quote: Ask potential providers for a clear quote that shows hourly rates, travel or cancellation fees and any other charges.
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Choose your provider: Participants can use registered providers, find them through the NDIS Provider Finder, or choose unregistered providers when their plan allows. Check provider credentials, reviews and whether they follow NDIS Practice Standards.
Tips for participants and families
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Be specific in your plan about the support you need (times, tasks, frequency).
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Ask about training and screening for workers involved in personal care.
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Talk to your local planner or support coordinator if you’re unsure whether a support is reasonable and necessary.
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Keep records of agreed services and incidents, and raise concerns promptly with the provider or the NDIS Commission if safety is at risk.
Why choose Inclusion Supports Australia
At Inclusion Supports Australia, we specialise in helping NDIS participants and their families understand and access the supports they need. From supporting plan preparation to provider selection, we can help you navigate NDIS personal care services with confidence — and make sure your plan reflects your true support needs. Contact us today to find out how we can assist.