What is NDIS Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know

Cleaning is often seen as a feel-good activity. Some even say it gives them a sense of control over their surroundings. But when dust reaches unreachable corners and carpets get too dirty, cleaning can also be a nightmare, so much more for people with disabilities.

Fortunately, NDIS Cleaning Australia supports you or your loved ones in this situation. It’s a cleaning funding option that people with disabilities may choose under the Core Supports of their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan. 

However, some conditions and requirements must be met in order to qualify. So, read on and find out how NDIS cleaning service works with this NDIS Home Cleaning guide!  

How much does the NDIS allocate for cleaning?

NDIS does not solely cover cleaning services for people with disabilities. It also shoulders expenses for education, employment, and independence. So, how much of your NDIS plan can be allocated for cleaning?

Like other NDIS-funded services, there are also pricing arrangements and price limits for NDIS cleaning. It usually varies every year, but currently, the hourly rate limits for cleaning services are the following:

Source: NDIS 

Now, you might ask, can one apply for any cleaning service as long as it’s within the price ceiling?

Not necessarily. You must remember that the cleaning services you can get funded depend on your disability-related needs assessed by NDIS. For instance, you can do regular house cleaning but struggle to do oven and refrigerator cleaning due to disability. Then, NDIS will only pay for the latter services.   

Given these, you must choose providers to complete the cleaning tasks within the arranged time, cost, and other conditions. 

Benefits of getting NDIS Cleaning Services

Apart from easing the challenge of keeping the dust at bay, NDIS Cleaning Australia also offers the following benefits:

1. Guaranteed quality work

If the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) manages your plan, you must hire only NDIS-registered cleaners. These are cleaners that have been thoroughly audited and assessed by NDIS. Hence, they’re guaranteed to provide quality work and understand the unique needs of people with disabilities.

But if your plan’s self-managed, you can still choose your trusted providers even if they’re not affiliated with the NDIS.

2. Avoids incidental costs

Since NDIS cleaning services are already pre-arranged and strictly charged on an hourly rate system, incidental costs for cleaning supplies, gears, and other equipment will be avoided. 

3. Promotes the feeling of independence and control over life

Having a disability can be limiting in many ways, but that doesn’t mean people with disabilities can’t live a purposeful life. With confidence and a sense of independence, they can do so much more.

That’s what NDIS is trying to bring out. With these supports, including cleaning services, people with disabilities can live their lives without depending on loved ones or feeling helpless.

4. Saves money

Did you know that most cleaning companies in Australia charge around $30 to $50 per hour for house cleaning?

This can even go higher depending on the number of rooms you have. For instance, cleaners usually charge $70 to $180 for a three-bedroom house and $150 to $250 for a four-bedroom one.

That’s a lot of money you could’ve used for other things. But with NDIS Cleaning Australia, you won’t have to worry about cleaning costs and still feel the sense of independence and peace that a clean space gives.

Do NDIS home cleaners need to be NDIS registered?

Ultimately, it depends on who manages your NDIS plan. If the NDIA manages your plan, hiring NDIS-registered home cleaners is necessary, as NDIA directly pays these providers. This may be challenging since not all cleaning services, especially small companies with limited resources, are registered with NDIS.

So, if you want more flexibility and options, you can self-manage your plan or have an NDIS Plan Manager. This way, you can still hire non-registered but trustworthy cleaners for your home cleaning needs.      

Factors to Consider When Hiring Cleaners

Choosing a cleaner is more crucial than you think, as the success of your NDIS cleaning services depends largely on their work and ability to understand your needs. Hence, here are factors you should know to find the right cleaners for you or your loved one: 

1. NDIS Guide 

First and foremost, you have to ensure that the cleaner has an Australian Business Number (ABN) so they can send invoices by the following NDIS specifications:

• It must specify hours worked, as the NDIS strictly follows an hourly rate system.
• Cleaners need to incorporate any additional expenses, like transport for buying extra cleaning supplies, within their hourly rate for NDIS approval
• Follows the NDIS hourly rate limit. 

Checking this first requirement will help you avoid payment issues later on.

2. Service agreement

It’s a written agreement detailing the what, when, and how of service delivery and costs. This protects the clients from misunderstandings and conflicts with the cleaners or other service providers.

3. Cost

Another important consideration is the cost. Remember, NDIS has an hourly price limit. So, if you don’t want to pay for excess fees or incidental costs, ensure these are included in your cleaner’s hourly rate and within the NDIS limit.  

FAQs

How to register for NDIS cleaning?

First, you have to be registered with NDIS. In order to quality, you have to be:

• Aged between 9 and 65 years (for children under 9, they also offer the NDIS early childhood approach)
• Must be living in Australia and under any of the following residence categories:
  • Australian citizens
  • Permanent Visa holders
  • Protected Special Category Visa holders
• The disability must be caused by a permanent impairment
• In need of disability-specific support for daily life or to reduce future support needs and enhance family caregiving skills.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and successfully process your NDIS application, NDIS will inform you of their decision within 21 days. Once you’re registered, you can finally start drafting your plan. Just make sure to include NDIS cleaning under your plan’s Core Supports.    

Do the cleaners bring their own supplies and equipment?

Since NDIS cleaning pays providers based on an hourly rate system, incidental costs like supplies and equipment should already be incorporated in the hourly price. Hence, the cleaners are expected to bring their own supplies and equipment.  

Can NDIS fund carpet cleaning?

The NDIS may provide funding for carpet cleaning if it’s a service deemed essential for a person with a disability to live independently. Generally, the NDIS will approve a support request if it:

• will aid your plan goals
• will help you perform activities with ease
• is value for money
• works for someone with similar disability support needs
• is reasonable for family, friends and community to provide