NDIS personal care services
Many participants struggle to distinguish between domestic assistance and NDIS personal care services. Although they both fall under Core Supports, they address quite different needs. You can make the best use of your funds and ask for the appropriate amount of assistance during plan reviews if you are aware of how they operate.
This guide will simplify things if you’re unfamiliar with the NDIS or don’t know which support category best suits your needs.
Table of Contents
1. What Is NDIS Personal Care Services?
NDIS personal care services provide hands-on support with daily activities that a person cannot safely manage on their own. This type of support focuses on personal hygiene, mobility, and basic physical needs.
Common Personal Care Tasks
• Showering and grooming
• Toileting
• Eating and mealtime assistance
• Medication prompts
• Help with mobility or transfers
• Getting dressed
• Support with morning or evening routines
Who Can Receive Personal Care Funding?
Participants usually receive personal care when:
• They need hands-on help to complete daily activities
• They have reduced physical mobility
• They have cognitive or sensory challenges that affect self-care
• There are safety concerns without support
• Their OT has recommended daily assistance
The NDIS outlines personal care under “Assistance with Daily Life,” described here
2. What Is NDIS Domestic Assistance?
Domestic assistance covers the household tasks needed to keep the home clean, safe, and functional. It is not hands-on help with self-care it focuses on maintaining your living environment.
Common Domestic Assistance Tasks
• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Dishwashing
• Vacuuming and mopping
• Grocery shopping
• Meal preparation (non-hands-on)
• General household upkeep
Domestic assistance is often recommended when a participant’s disability makes physical tasks difficult or unsafe.
The WA Government also lists disability support options that include household help
3. Key Differences Between Personal Care and Domestic Assistance
Although both fall under Core Supports, they serve different purposes.
Personal Care vs Domestic Assistance
| Feature | Personal Care | Domestic Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Support Type | Hands-on | Household tasks |
| Focus | Hygiene, mobility, daily routines | Cleanliness, home safety |
| Examples | Showering, toileting, dressing | Cleaning, shopping, laundry |
| Evidence Needed | OT functional assessment | OT or GP letter |
| NDIS Category | Assistance with Daily Life | Assistance with Daily Life |
How the NDIS Approves Each
• Personal care is approved when functional assessments show the person cannot complete tasks safely.
• Domestic assistance is approved when physical or cognitive challenges make housework unsafe or unmanageable.
Understanding these differences helps you explain your needs clearly when requesting NDIS personal care services or domestic supports.
4. Which Service Do You Need?
The best way to identify your support needs is to look at:
• What tasks you struggle with daily
• Whether safety risks exist
• Which activities require physical help vs household help
• Where your fatigue or mobility challenges affect independence
Common Support Combinations
Many participants use both services together. For example:
• Morning personal care + light cleaning
• Evening routine + meal preparation
• Mobility support + shopping assistance
If you’re unsure what you qualify for, support coordinators and occupational therapists can assess this accurately.
5. What Evidence You Need for Both Supports
Evidence is important for NDIS approval especially when requesting NDIS personal care services.
Useful Types of Evidence
• OT functional assessments
• Daily logs showing how long tasks take
• GP letters explaining physical or cognitive changes
• Incident reports
• Descriptions of risks (e.g., falls, hygiene concerns)
Strong Evidence for Support Requests
| Evidence Type | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| OT Assessment | Shows functional limitations clearly |
| GP Letter | Confirms diagnosis or increased needs |
| Daily Log | Demonstrates actual hours needed |
| Risk Notes | Shows unsafe situations without support |
If you’re exploring support options and want a clear overview of how NDIS providers operate across WA, you may find our Registered NDIS Provider in Western Australia.
6. How to Add or Increase These Supports in Your Plan
If your daily needs have changed, you may be able to request more personal care hours or extra domestic assistance.
How to Request Changes
• Tell the NDIS about a change of circumstances
• Ask for a plan reassessment
• Provide updated OT or GP evidence
• Add goals related to daily living and independence
• Show how unmet needs are affecting your health or safety
If you feel unsure about how to explain your situation, your support coordinator or OT can help prepare the documents.
7. Conclusion: Choosing the Right NDIS Personal Care Services and Domestic Supports
Despite their similar names, personal care and domestic help have quite different functions. While domestic help keeps your home tidy and manageable, personal care provides direct assistance with everyday tasks. Knowing the difference enables you to make appropriate use of your NDIS funding and ask for the appropriate amount of assistance when your needs change.
Elmur Support can provide you with step-by-step guidance and ensure that you receive the support you require if you’d like assistance setting up NDIS personal care services or domestic assistance.
Email: info@elmur.com.au
Phone: (08) 6558 8814
Website: Elmur Community Services
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