Does my NDIS plan include funding for a support worker?
It’s a common question for participants and guardians navigating the system. Support workers can assist with everyday tasks like personal care, attending appointments, or accessing the community, but not every NDIS plan will automatically include funding for these services. This article will explain how to see whether your current NDIS plan covers support worker services, based strictly on the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024–25.
All information in this article is drawn directly from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2024–25 v1.3.
What Is a Support Worker Under the NDIS?
According to the pricing guide, support workers are funded under various categories, including:
- Assistance with Daily Life
- Assistance in Supported Independent Living
- High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
- Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
This may involve personal care, prompting or supervision, assistance around the home, assistance attending appointments, and support with accessing the community.
Step-by-Step: How to Check if Your Plan Includes Support Worker Funding
- Review your Budget Categories in Your Plan
In your NDIS plan, locate the section describing your Core Supports budget.
Specifically, look for the following support categories:
- Category 1: Assistance with Daily Life
- Category 4: Assistance with Social and Community Participation
These are the most common categories under which support worker services are funded.
- Check for Funding Flexibility
If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you may have the flexibility to use funding across the Core Support categories. As stated on page 15 of the pricing guide:
“Participants can use Core budget funding flexibly across all four support categories (subject to the rules of self-, plan- or NDIA-managed supports).”
This means a participant may be able to use general Core Supports funding to pay for a support worker, if the use aligns with the goals stated in the plan.
- Look for Specific Support Line Items
For NDIA-managed plans, support funding may be listed as specific line items. Relevant support worker items include:
- 01_011_0107_1_1: Assistance with Self-Care Activities – Standard
- 04_104_0125_6_1: Community, Social and Recreational Activities
- 01_795_0115_1_1: Support Worker – Overnight
If these or similar codes appear in your plan, this may indicate that the plan includes funding for support worker services under the defined conditions.
What Types of Support Worker Services Are Covered?
The NDIS Pricing Arrangements (see pages 65 to 75) outlines support worker roles that may be covered, including:
- Standard support for self-care (day or evening)
- High intensity support for complex or medical needs
- Community participation support (weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday)
- Overnight support including sleepover and active shifts
- Support with transport when directly tied to service delivery
Each of these services has defined price limits depending on the day, time of day, and intensity of support.
What Is Not Covered?
Support worker services cannot be used for:
- General domestic services such as standalone house cleaning (unless part of a personal care shift)
- Support for people other than the participant (participants children, friends, or family etc)
- Services that are not connected to the participants NDIS goals and do not meet the reasonable and necessary criteria
Informal supports from family or friends are not billable under these arrangements.
Who Can You Ask for Help?
If you are uncertain whether your plan includes support worker funding:
- Ask your Support Coordinator (if you have one)
- Contact your Plan Manager (if applicable)
- Call the NDIS directly at 1800 800 110
Who Can You Ask for Help?
If you are uncertain whether your plan includes support worker funding:
-
Ask your Support Coordinator (if you have one)
-
Contact your Plan Manager (if applicable)
-
Call the NDIS directly at 1800 800 110
Having a clear idea of the participant’s needs and goals will help clarify whether funding for a support worker is appropriate under your current plan.
For questions about funding for a support worker or other NDIS services in Sydney, you can contact Meta Healthcare to discuss how we can help.
Meta Healthcare is a leading NDIS provider in Sydney, dedicated to empowering participants through personalised care and expert guidance. Our compassionate team focuses on creating meaningful opportunities, fostering independence, and supporting brighter futures for individuals and their families. With over 60 years of combined experience, we offer a range of services, including support work, allied health, support coordination, and respite care, all tailored to meet each participant’s unique goals and needs. At Meta Healthcare, we prioritise transparent communication, inclusivity, and a goal-oriented approach to help you thrive in your journey with the NDIS.
