Generally, the NDIS does not pay for standard household items like washing machines, viewing them as everyday living costs for all Australians; however, in rare, specific cases where a disability makes a standard appliance unusable, you can apply for a special "replacement support" (like a front-loader if a top-loader is inaccessible) by showing it meets reasonable & necessary criteria with an Occupational Therapist's report.
Would we fund this? No, we wouldn't typically fund standard household items like a dishwasher or a washing machine as these are day-to-day living costs and not NDIS supports. A dishwasher or washing machine is unlikely to be an extra living cost because of your disability support needs.
Note: Under the laws of the NDIS, we also cannot fund sexual services and sex work, alcohol or drugs. Rent, rental bonds, home and property deposits, stamp duty, mortgage repayments, and strata fees. Purchase of land, or house and land packages.
What services or supports can be delivered under the NDIS?
NDIS participants are responsible for day-to-day living costs including rent, groceries, utilities, telephone or internet costs. This is the same for general household items such as a bed, fridge or cooking utensils.
All cases have their own special circumstances. No, the NDIS does not normally fund a participant's air conditioning system. Talk to your plan manager or contact AIIM Choices about your situation.
Will NDIS fund a vacuum cleaner? An NDIS Plan will not fund a vacuum cleaner, but if a participant can't perform tasks like vacuuming and cleaning because of their disability, the NDIS will provide funds for a support worker to do these tasks instead. A cleaner will have their own equipment to undertake the job.
The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary. If you find cleaning challenging due to your disability, and it is deemed essential for your health and happiness, the NDIS may choose to fund a cleaner for your home.
The NDIS can fund iPads, tablets, or other smart devices if they are considered “reasonable and necessary” for your disability-related needs. An iPad might be approved if it: Improves communication for someone with speech difficulties. Supports education or skill-building for participants with learning challenges.
If you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
You might be able to get: Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if you're under 16 – check if you can get DLA. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you're 16 or over and haven't reached State Pension age – check if you can get PIP.
The NDIS 90-day rule refers to different timeframes for participants and providers, primarily granting participants 90 days to respond to reassessment requests, replacing the old 28-day limit for more fairness, and requiring providers to invoice within 90 days of service delivery, though a new rule gives providers up to two years to claim for services from the start date, with details subject to ongoing updates and plan management.
Other Examples of Non-covered Conditions
Broken limbs, sprains, concussions, appendicitis, common colds, or influenza generally would not be disabilities.
We can only fund these supports if they're related to your disability. These NDIS supports might include specialised shoes or funding to treat your foot problems. Podiatry and foot care are important if you have a disability that affects sensation to your feet.
No, not all washing machines are exactly 85cm, but it's the standard height for most front-loaders, designed to fit under kitchen countertops (around 90cm high), with widths usually 60cm and varying depths (50-65cm); however, top-loaders are taller (90-110cm), slimlines are shallower, and integrated models are often 82cm high, so always check specific dimensions.
In general, the NDIS can provide financial assistance to individuals for house cleaning and other day-to-day living needs including car cleaning, windows cleaning, carpet cleaning and garden maintenance.
Repairing a 7-year-old washing machine is often worth it, especially for minor issues, as machines typically last 10 years; however, you should weigh repair costs against the benefits of a new, more energy-efficient model, using the 50% rule (repair cost > 50% of replacement cost) and considering potential expensive components like sealed drums or microchips.
The NDIS is not designed to fund items such as an iPad or Apple watch. However, should a participant know that they are able to communicate with their loved ones or a worker by using an iPad – rather than a specialist and more costly piece of equipment – then they can request the Agency to fund this.
Mattresses are a standard household item. We would not fund a standard mattress as they are not an NDIS support. If however, you need an adaptive or modified household item because of your disability support needs, then we may consider it to be an NDIS support for you.
Yes, the NDIS can help with housing by funding supports for independent living, such as home modifications, assistive technology, and support workers, and in specific, rare cases for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for those with extreme needs, though it generally doesn't cover rent or daily living costs like utilities. Support is provided through your NDIS plan to help you find suitable housing and develop skills to live more independently.
In short: yes, the NDIS can offer funding for laundry services, but the answer will depend on your plan and personal goals.
A 3-hour clean typically costs around $100 to $200+, depending heavily on location, property size (e.g., 2-3 bedrooms), cleaner experience, and service type (regular vs. deep clean). Expect hourly rates from $30 to $60+ (USD/AUD), with independent cleaners often cheaper than companies, and deep/end-of-lease cleans costing more than standard maintenance.
The 20/10 cleaning method (or rule) is a time-management technique for tidying and organizing, involving focused work for 20 minutes, followed by a mandatory 10-minute break, and then repeating the cycle, inspired by the Pomodoro Technique. It breaks overwhelming tasks into manageable chunks, preventing burnout by building in rest, making cleaning more approachable and sustainable by focusing on consistency rather than marathon sessions, and encouraging completion by finishing tasks like putting laundry away during breaks.
The NDIS funds various technologies, equipment, and items. They must be disability-related. They also must be considered necessary and reasonable. That being said, the NDIS does not cover prescription glasses.
But a new Tribunal decision concluded that air conditioning was a standard household appliance and was therefore on the “out list.” This meant the NDIS couldn't fund an air conditioner, even if the need for it arises because of a person's disability like in the example discussed above.
Will the NDIS fund taxi or Uber trips? Again, only when they're part of your disability-related transport needs. You can use your transport allowance to pay for taxis or Ubers if you can't travel independently or access public transport because of your disability.