The NDIS funds household cleaning and home maintenance tasks for participants whose disabilities prevent them from completing these activities independently. This funding falls under Core Supports in your plan. This guide explains how domestic assistance works, what tasks are covered, how to access funding, and how to find providers in your area.

What Does Domestic Assistant Mean?

A domestic assistant is someone who completes household tasks you cannot do yourself due to your disability. The domestic assistant meaning refers specifically to practical household help. This includes cleaning, laundry, and basic home maintenance tasks. A household helper performs these specific duties in your home on a regular schedule.

Domestic support is different from personal care. Personal care involves help with showering, dressing, and eating. Domestic assistance covers only household tasks like vacuuming, washing dishes, and doing laundry.

NDIS Domestic Assistance: What Tasks Are Covered

NDIS domestic assistance covers specific household activities related to your disability. Your funding pays for a household help worker to complete tasks you cannot do yourself.

Cleaning Tasks Covered:

• Vacuuming carpets and rugs
• Mopping hard floors
• Cleaning bathrooms (toilets, showers, sinks)
• Cleaning kitchens (benches, stovetops, sinks)
• Dusting furniture and surfaces
• Wiping down appliances
• Cleaning mirrors and windows inside your home

Laundry Tasks Covered:

• Washing clothes and bed linen
• Drying clothes
• Folding and putting away clean items
• Changing bed sheets
• Ironing if needed

Kitchen Tasks Covered:

• Washing dishes by hand or loading/unloading dishwasher
• Wiping down kitchen surfaces
• Cleaning inside the refrigerator
• Taking out kitchen rubbish

Other Tasks Covered:

• Taking rubbish bins to the curb
• Basic tidying of living spaces
• Sweeping outdoor entry areas for safe access
• Light organizing of household items

What Assistance With Personal Domestic Activities Means

The phrase "assistance with personal domestic activities" is the official NDIS term. It refers to household tasks that relate directly to your living space. The word "personal" means these are tasks for your individual home and needs.

This NDIS category does not include tasks that benefit the whole household equally. For example, if you live with three other people who can clean, the NDIS will not fund someone to clean shared areas those people use. The funding covers only your personal living needs related to your disability.

Tasks NOT Covered by Domestic Assistance NDIS

Your NDIS domestic assistance funding does not cover:

Home Repairs and Modifications:

• Fixing broken appliances
• Painting walls
• Repairing damaged fixtures
• Installing grab rails or ramps (these require separate funding)

Extensive Garden Work:

• Mowing lawns
• Weeding garden beds
• Pruning trees or shrubs
• Planting flowers or vegetables
• Regular garden maintenance

Property Maintenance:

• Gutter cleaning
• Pressure washing driveways
• Exterior window cleaning
• Repairs that are the landlord's responsibility

Tasks Others Can Do:

• Cleaning for other household members who can do it themselves
• Tasks required after parties or events
• Seasonal deep cleaning of areas unrelated to daily disability needs

Meal Preparation:

• Cooking meals (this falls under a different NDIS support category)
• Grocery shopping (covered under "Assistance with Daily Living - Social and Community Participation")

Domestic Assistance NDIS vs Aged Care Domestic Assistance

Many people ask about the difference between domestic assistance NDIS and aged care domestic assistance. These are two separate government programs with different eligibility rules.

NDIS Domestic Assistance Eligibility:

• You must be under 65 years old when you first apply
• You must have a permanent and significant disability
• Your disability must impact your ability to complete household tasks
• You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa

Aged Care Domestic Assistance Eligibility:

• You must be 65 years or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• You need support due to aging, not necessarily disability
• You access support through Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Packages

What About Domestic Assistant Aged Care Workers?

A domestic assistant aged care employee works through the aged care system. They perform similar tasks to NDIS household helpers. However, they work under different funding arrangements. The aged care system has different regulations and payment structures than the NDIS.

If You're Turning 65:

When you turn 65, you cannot apply for the NDIS for the first time. If you are already an NDIS participant, you can usually stay in the NDIS. However, you should discuss your options with your planner six months before turning 65. Some people transition to aged care supports at 65. Others continue with NDIS supports depending on their circumstances. Read more about NDIS and aged care.

How to Get Domestic Assistance in Your NDIS Plan

You need to request household help funding during your NDIS planning meeting. The planner needs to understand why your disability prevents you from doing household tasks.

Prepare Specific Examples:

Before your planning meeting, write down specific examples:

• "I cannot vacuum because my cerebral palsy affects my upper body strength and balance"
• "My mental health condition makes it difficult to maintain cleaning routines consistently"
• "My spinal cord injury means I cannot reach high surfaces or bend to clean low areas"
• "My vision impairment prevents me from seeing dirt and maintaining cleanliness standards"

Learn more about preparing for your NDIS planning meeting.

Explain Your Living Situation:

Tell your planner:

• Whether you live alone or with others
• If others in your home can help with tasks
• Which specific tasks you cannot do
• How often these tasks need to be completed
• Whether you have informal support from family or friends

Provide Evidence:

Bring reports from your doctors, occupational therapists, or other health professionals. These reports should state that your disability impacts your ability to complete household tasks. Written evidence strengthens your case for funding.

Funding Allocation:

Your planner will allocate domestic assistance funding in your Core Supports budget. The amount depends on:

• How severely your disability impacts household tasks
• Whether you live alone or with others
• What informal supports you have available
• How many hours per week you need

Typical allocations range from 2 hours per week to 10+ hours per week. Your specific allocation depends on your individual assessment.

Three Ways to Manage Your Domestic Assistance Funding

The NDIS offers three management options for your funding:

NDIA-Managed:

• The NDIS pays providers directly
• You can only use registered NDIS providers
• You have less paperwork
• You have fewer provider choices

Plan-Managed:

• A plan manager handles payments for you
• You can use registered or unregistered providers
• You have more choice of household helpers
• Your plan manager does the administrative work

Self-Managed:

• You control all payments yourself
• You can hire anyone as your household helper
• You have maximum flexibility
• You do all the paperwork and payment processing
• You must keep detailed records for auditing

Most people choose plan-managed because it combines flexibility with reduced paperwork. Learn more about managing your NDIS plan.

Finding Domestic Assistance Providers in Your Area

Your plan management type determines which providers you can use.

For NDIA-Managed Plans:

Use the NDIS Provider Finder at myplace.ndis.gov.au:

1. Log into your myplace portal
2. Click "Find Providers"
3. Enter your postcode
4. Select "Assistance with Daily Life"
5. Review the list of registered providers

Only registered providers appear in this search. These providers have met NDIS Commission standards.

For Plan-Managed or Self-Managed Plans:

You can use registered providers OR find your own household helper:

• Ask other NDIS participants for recommendations
• Search local Facebook groups for disability support
• Contact your support coordinator for suggestions
• Search online for "domestic assistance near me"
• Hire an individual directly through word-of-mouth referrals

Questions to Ask Potential Providers:

When contacting domestic assistance providers, ask:

• What is your hourly rate?
• Do you charge travel fees?
• What is your cancellation policy?
• Can you provide references?
• What experience do you have with disability support?
• Are you available on my preferred days and times?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• How do you handle scheduling changes?

Check References:

Always check at least two references before hiring a household helper. Ask previous clients:

• Was the domestic assistant reliable?
• Did they complete tasks to your satisfaction?
• How did they handle feedback?
• Would you recommend them?

Finding Domestic Assistance Providers Bunbury

If you live in Bunbury (postcode 6230), Western Australia, you have several options for finding household help.

Using the NDIS Provider Finder:

Search for "Assistance with Daily Life" providers in postcode 6230. The system shows registered providers operating in Bunbury and surrounding suburbs including Eaton, Australind, and Carey Park.

Local Bunbury Providers:

Contact these organizations directly:

• Local disability service organizations in Bunbury
• Community care organizations operating in the South West region
• Home care agencies that offer NDIS supports
• Private household helpers advertising in local Facebook groups

Regional Considerations for Bunbury:

Regional areas like Bunbury have fewer providers than Perth. This means:

• You may pay higher hourly rates (typically $10-$15 more per hour than metro rates)
• Providers may charge travel fees if you live outside central Bunbury
• You may need to book appointments further in advance
• You might have a smaller pool of available household helpers

Ask Your Support Coordinator:

If you have a support coordinator in your plan, they can help find domestic assistance providers in Bunbury. Support coordinators working in regional areas know which providers service each town. They can make direct referrals based on your specific needs.

Bunbury Facebook Groups:

Join local Bunbury NDIS support groups on Facebook. Members often share recommendations for reliable household helpers in the area. Search for "Bunbury NDIS" or "Bunbury Disability Support" groups.

Travel Distance:

Some Perth-based providers travel to Bunbury for clients. However, they typically charge significant travel fees. Local Bunbury providers are usually more cost-effective.

Setting Up Your Domestic Assistance Service

Once you find a suitable household helper, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Task Schedule

List every task you need help with:

• Vacuum all rooms (every visit)
• Mop kitchen and bathroom (every visit)
• Clean bathroom (every visit)
• Change bed sheets (every second visit)
• Do two loads of laundry (every visit)
• Wash dishes (every visit)

Be specific about frequency and priority.

Step 2: Agree on Hours

Calculate how long tasks will take. Most domestic assistants complete:

• Vacuuming a 3-bedroom home: 20-30 minutes
• Mopping hard floors: 15-20 minutes
• Cleaning one bathroom: 20-30 minutes
• One load of laundry: 15 minutes (plus folding time)
• Washing dishes: 10-15 minutes

Add up task times to determine total hours needed per visit.

Step 3: Set Clear Expectations

Tell your household helper:

• Which cleaning products to use (or avoid)
• Where cleaning supplies are stored
• How you prefer items organized
• Which areas are priority
• Any specific cleaning methods you require

Step 4: Establish a Regular Schedule

Most people schedule domestic assistance:

• Weekly (most common)
• Fortnightly (for lighter support needs)
• Twice weekly (for higher support needs)

Consistency helps both you and your household help maintain routines.

Step 5: Provide Supplies

Your NDIS funding covers labor, not consumables. You must provide:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Mop and bucket
• Cleaning products (surface spray, bathroom cleaner, floor cleaner)
• Laundry detergent
• Dishwashing liquid or tablets
• Cloths, sponges, and cleaning tools
• Garbage bags

Ensure all equipment works properly before your household helper arrives.

Managing Your Domestic Support Relationship

Communicate Clearly:

If something is not done to your standard, speak up immediately. Say:

• "Could you please vacuum under the coffee table each time?"
• "The bathroom mirror needs more attention"
• "Please fold the towels this specific way"

Direct feedback helps your domestic assistant understand your preferences.

Respect Their Time:

Your household helper is scheduled for specific hours. Do not ask them to:

• Stay longer without prior arrangement
• Complete tasks outside domestic assistance (like personal care)
• Work in unsafe conditions
• Use faulty equipment

Be Present or Absent - Your Choice:

Some people prefer to stay home during cleaning. Others go out. Both are acceptable. Discuss your preference with your household helper during setup.

Pay On Time:

If you are self-managed, pay invoices promptly. Late payments strain the working relationship. Set up reminders if needed.

Handle Problems Early:

If issues arise, address them within the first month:

• Tasks consistently not completed
• Poor quality cleaning
• Lateness or cancellations
• Communication problems

Early intervention prevents long-term frustration.

What to Do If Domestic Assistance Is Not Working

Problem: Tasks Not Completed Properly

Solution: Create a written checklist. Go through it with your household helper. If quality remains poor after two discussions, find a new provider.

Problem: Frequent Cancellations

Solution: Ask for 48 hours notice for cancellations. If cancellations continue, this provider is unreliable. Switch to a different household help service.

Problem: Running Out of Hours

Solution: Track your hours carefully. If you consistently run out before your plan period ends, document this. At your next plan review, show evidence you need more funding. You can also request an early plan review if your circumstances have changed significantly.

Problem: Personality Clash

Solution: You do not have to work with someone you are uncomfortable with. Request a different domestic assistant from the provider, or change providers entirely.

Problem: Provider Increases Rates

Solution: Providers can increase rates with notice. If the new rate is too high, shop around. Get quotes from at least three other household help services.

Your NDIS Domestic Assistance Rights

You Have the Right To:

• Choose your own household helper (if plan-managed or self-managed)
• Receive respectful, professional service
• Request a different domestic assistant if needed
• Provide feedback about service quality
• Change providers at any time
• File complaints if services are inadequate

Your Responsibilities:

• Use funding only for disability-related household tasks
• Provide accurate information about your needs
• Treat your household helper respectfully
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Communicate problems clearly
• Keep records of services received

Preparing for Your NDIS Plan Review

Your NDIS plan is reviewed every 12 months (sometimes 24 or 36 months). Prepare for your review by documenting your domestic assistance use.

Keep Records:

• How many hours you used each month
• Whether the current hours were sufficient
• Any changes in your disability that affect household tasks
• Any changes in your living situation
• What is working well
• What needs to change

Gather Evidence:

If you need to increase your domestic assistance hours, provide:

• Service agreements showing consistent use of all allocated hours
• Statements from your household helper confirming your needs
• Photos showing household tasks you cannot complete
• Reports from occupational therapists about functional capacity
• Evidence of changes in your disability

For more guidance, see the NDIS planning toolkit.

Request Appropriate Funding:

Do not under-request to seem "easy." If you genuinely need 6 hours per week, request 6 hours. The NDIS bases decisions on evidence, not on appearing low-maintenance.

Conclusion

NDIS domestic assistance provides funded household help for participants whose disabilities prevent them from completing cleaning and home maintenance independently. Understanding what tasks are covered, how to access funding, and how to find reliable domestic assistance providers—including domestic assistance providers Bunbury for regional participants—helps you maintain your home effectively. Use your funding appropriately, communicate clearly with your household helper, and document your needs for plan reviews to ensure ongoing access to this support.