Cleanliness and safety in the home are taken for granted by most people. For Australians living with a disability, physical restrictions can make basic chores like cleaning very challenging, if not impossible. This is where the NDIS Cleaning Services come in – if you or someone you care for is a participant of the NDIS, knowing how this support works may impact your everyday life.
This guide provides you with everything you need to know, including what NDIS Cleaning Services entail, who can access them, how to access funding, and how to ensure that you choose a provider with whom you can trust. You will find information that is clear and practical here, whether you’re a participant, a family member, or a support coordinator.
Learn what NDIS cleaning services are all about.
NDIS Cleaning Services are services that provide professional cleaning of homes and are funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia. The NDIS is a national government program that funds Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability to help them live their lives to the full and participate fully in their communities, more independently.
Cleaning support is a type of support included in an NDIS plan under the category “Assistance with Daily Life”. This is because the scheme acknowledges that keeping your environment clean and hygienic is not only a form of comfort, it’s a way of keeping you healthy and safe. If participants have a disability and are unable to complete a clean-up task on their own, the NDIS may be able to provide funding for trained cleaners to do the work for them.
Who Can Access NDIS Cleaning Services?
Cleaning support is not included in every plan, as not all people receiving the NDIS will automatically have support for cleaning in their plan. Requirements are based on the impact of your disability on your home duties.
To be eligible for the NDIS Cleaning Service, you will typically need to show that:
- You are unable to clean your home due to your disability. You are not able to clean your home because of your disability.
- The cleaning is required for health, safety or wellbeing.
- Unable to self-manage or receive informal support (family, friends, etc.) to manage them
When you meet with the NDIS, you can present a case for cleaning to be part of your plan by asking a support coordinator or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) for assistance.
What Are The Services NDIS Supports For Cleaning?
The types of cleaning services provided through the NDIS can cover a range of services depending on the person’s needs, and may involve:
General Domestic Cleaning
This includes normal housekeeping activities like cleaning bathrooms and toilets, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, general cleaning, and wiping down surfaces. These are the most frequently funded services in the NDIS category, Cleaning Services.
Kitchen Cleaning
Cleaning of stovetops, benchtops, sink tops and appliances like the microwave and oven can be added, especially for those who are not able to do these tasks themselves safely.
Laundry Support
Participants are given funding for laundry tasks such as washing, drying and folding laundry.
Clean the surface of windows and other glass items. Wash windows and other glass objects.
Participants who have a mobility problem may also have the windows, ceiling fans or high shelves cleaned as part of their support.
Specialised or Deep cleaning (Deep cleaning)
For certain health conditions, the depth and frequency of cleaning might need to be greater – this may be included in an individual’s NDIS plan.
Please note, NDIS Cleaning Services are to address the disability needs, not a housekeeping preference. Cleaning funds must be directly related to the activity you are unable to carry out due to your disability.
How is the cleaning funding managed for the NDIS?
How you can use your NDIS funds to access cleaning services is impacted by your management. You can use three types of management:
Agency-Managed
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has responsibility for managing your funding. In this instance, you will need to utilise registered NDIS providers to provide your cleaning service.
Plan-Managed
A plan manager makes payments for you. You can choose to use any registered provider and some unregistered providers (depending on the policies of your plan manager).
Self-Managed
You work your own money, and you have the maximum flexibility. Any cleaning service provider, registered or not, can be contracted as long as they meet NDIS quality and safeguarding requirements.
Knowing your plan management type is the initial step towards securing the right NDIS cleaning services for you.
Registered NDIS cleaning provider in Australia online
It’s not that hard to find a reliable, registered cleaning provider. The following are the best steps:
Get a list of providers using the NDIS Provider Finder.
Visit the official NDIS website, myplace.ndis.gov.au, for a Provider Finder feature to search for registered cleaning providers in your area.
Please ask questions to your Support Coordinator.
Your support coordinator or LAC can provide you with a list of local support providers that have been vetted to work with disability cleaning.
Read through the Reviews and References. Look over the Reviews and References.
Search for companies that have been well-received by their community. When interviewing prospective cleaners, ask them about their experience with individuals with disabilities, their training, and if they have proper insurance coverage.
Confirm Registration
If you are agency-managed, ensure that the provider is registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Registered providers must adhere to quality and safety requirements.
Why is it important to choose the right provider?
Not all cleaning companies are the same. If it comes to an NDIS Cleaning Services provider, it makes a big difference if they truly grasp disability support.
The right provider will communicate clearly, value your privacy and dignity, adapt to your speed of work and cater for your needs. They should also be able to liaise with other support workers and/or occupational therapists as needed.
A quality NDIS cleaning service not only cleans floors, but is also a member of your support system and will work with you to keep you independent and enjoy a healthy life at home.
Helpful hints to help you maximise your NDIS cleaning support.
When cleaning support is part of your plan, the following are a few ways to make the most of it:
- Be specific at your planning meeting. The clearer you make it about how your disability impacts your cleaning capabilities, the more your plan will be customised to meet your needs.
- Review your plan regularly. Cleaning requirements can vary with time. Update your plan if there are significant changes in your situation.
- Communicate with your cleaner. Inform them of your preferences, areas in need of additional attention and access or scheduling needs.
- Keep records. Know how much you are spending and never exceed your cleaning budget!
The greater impact of NDIS cleaning services.
Having a clean house is not the only benefit of professional cleaning assistance. NDIS Cleaning Services directly help many NDIS participants to contribute to:
- Lower chances of infection or getting sick due to unpracticed sanitation
- Fewer levels of anxiety or stress from being overwhelmed in the home.
- Increased concentration on treatment, employment, schooling or other social engagements
- Improved sense of dignity and self-efficacy
- Improved results of other support provided
A pragmatic, meaningful help that many Australian people with a disability use.
Final Thoughts
NDIS Cleaning Services are more than a convenience for Australians living with a disability; they are a pathway to a safer, healthier and more dignified life at home. If you think that you may qualify for cleaning support, and if it’s not already included in your plan, then it’s definitely worth it.
The NDIS is about choice, control and supports to help you live your best life. Cleaning is an integral component of that. Don’t assume you know what you are entitled to; find a provider who cares and assert your needs for support.
FAQ’s
Q1. The difference between an NDIS-registered and non-registered cleaning provider?
A: Registered providers conform to the NDIS quality standards, and non-registered providers can only be engaged with in a self-managed or plan-managed plan.
Q2. What hours will the NDIS funding cover for cleaning?
A: Cleaning hours are based on your individual NDIS Plan and disability support needs.
Q3. Do I have the option to select my own NDIS cleaning provider?
Yes, this is possible depending on your NDIS plan’s support plan.
Q4. Is NDIS funded for one-off deep cleaning or regular cleaning only?
Typically, the NDIS will provide funding for regular cleaning; in certain cases, it can also provide funding for one-off deep cleaning.
Q5. Can the family member I am seeking to work with be paid to take care of my home as part of the NDIS?
Yes, in some cases, provided that it is funded by the NDIS.
Q6. If my NDIS cleaning provider is not meeting my needs, what should I do?
A: If the issue persists, discuss it with the provider or find another provider.
Q7. If it’s not in my NDIS plan, how do I put it in?
A: Request a plan review and offer documentation to support the need for cleaning support.
