NDIS Cleaning Explained: Eligibility, Funding, and How It Works

Living with a disability can make daily tasks more challenging, including cleaning and maintaining a home. Everything from making beds and doing laundry to dusting furniture and cleaning floors is a physical task that some individuals may not be able to do themselves, and that’s why NDIS cleaning exists.

NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It was launched in 2013 and is unique to Australia. It offers a wide range of services for those living with disabilities, ensuring their daily living and household needs are taken care of. Through NDIS cleaning, participants can rest assured that the upkeep of their home and daily household chores will be managed by thoroughly trained and experienced house cleaners.

If you’re hearing about NDIS cleaning for the first time, or want to learn more about it and how to navigate the process, Maidforyou is here to help. We are highly experienced and registered NDIS cleaning providers, working closely with plan managers and agents to ensure participants can access the service with ease and get the most out of it.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know everything there is to know about NDIS cleaning, including how to become a participant, how funding works, and what to expect from the service.

What Does NDIS Cleaning Include?

There is no fixed checklist when it comes to NDIS cleaning as every participant has unique requirements. To meet these specific needs, providers offer a wide range of cleaning services which can be tailored accordingly.

At Maidforyou, we understand the importance of customised NDIS cleaning and pay close attention to what each participant requires and expects from us. While we follow a list of standard cleaning tasks, our NDIS cleaning service is fully customisable and focuses on maintaining comfort, hygiene, and safety throughout the home. We offer both standard and deep cleaning services, ensuring participants can choose the level of support that best suits their home and lifestyle.

Some of the most common services provided for NDIS cleaning include:

• Surface cleaning and dust removal: Wiping down household surfaces to remove dust and allergens, thus creating a healthier indoor environment. This is especially needed for participants with respiratory issues, allergies, or low immunity.
• Home organisation and decluttering: Tidying and organising living spaces by keeping things in place and reducing clutter to improve safety and accessibility around the home.
• Making beds and changing linens: All beds are made up neatly, and sheets and duvets are replaced upon request. 
• Kitchen and bathroom cleaning: Thorough cleaning and sanitising to abolish bacteria, maintain hygiene, and keep potential health risks to a minimum.
• Floor and carpet cleaning: Vacuuming carpets and rugs, as well as mopping hard floors, to keep the home clean, hygienic, and presentable.
• Careful cleaning of specialised items: Gently and effectively cleaning equipment that requires extra attention, such as mobility aids or rehabilitation tools.

At Maidforyou, we are mindful about each participant’s mobility, accessibility needs, and personal preferences to ensure every service is delivered safely and respectfully.

Key Benefits of NDIS Cleaning

The most obvious benefit, of course, is that regular cleaning keeps the home fresh and hygienic by reducing dust, germs, and allergens.

For participants, hiring NDIS cleaners helps alleviate the pressure and stress associated with everyday household chores, especially for those with limited mobility or underlying health conditions that make physical tasks more challenging. 

Having professional cleaning support also means participants don’t need to depend on family members or caregivers for household tasks. This can help build confidence, encourage independence, and make daily life feel more manageable.

With cleaning taken care of, participants have more time and energy to focus on what matters most, such as attending appointments, catching up on hobbies, or simply relaxing at home. 

Who is Eligible for NDIS Cleaning?

NDIS participants can claim cleaning support if it is considered a necessary part of their plan by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Individuals with a permanent disability that makes everyday household tasks, such as cleaning, difficult or unsafe to do on their own may be eligible for NDIS cleaning. This could include developmental disabilities that impact independence, mobility challenges that make physical tasks harder, or ongoing health or neurological conditions that limit physical abilities. 

NDIS cleaning is usually not provided for short-term situations, such as temporary illnesses, including a cold or flu, or injuries that are covered by workers’ compensation. If a participant lives in shared housing, NDIS funding usually covers cleaning for their personal areas only, such as their bedroom or private bathroom, rather than shared spaces.

How to Apply for NDIS Cleaning

Cleaning support can be included in an NDIS plan when a participant explains that household tasks are difficult to manage because of their disability. During the planning meeting, it’s important to talk openly about the challenges faced at home and describe why cleaning cannot be done safely or independently. Sharing how regular cleaning assistance would improve safety, comfort, and daily living can help the planner understand why this support is needed.

Participants who already have an NDIS plan but do not receive cleaning support can request a review of their plan if their circumstances have changed. This process may involve providing supporting evidence, such as a report or letter from a health professional outlining how the disability affects the person’s ability to complete household chores.

Another option is to request a review of an NDIS decision that did not include cleaning support within three months of receiving it. Working together with a Plan Manager, Support Coordinator, or NDIS Planner can make the process clearer and help ensure the right supports are added.

How to Manage Your NDIS Cleaning Budget

Once cleaning support is included in an NDIS plan, it’s important to manage the funding carefully. There is no specific number of cleaning hours set by the NDIS because every participant has different needs and living situations. 

The cleaning services are generally paid for through the Core Supports budget, which allows some flexibility in how funds are used. Participants can choose how often they would like a cleaner to visit and how long each appointment should be, depending on their home, lifestyle, and level of support required. Many cleaning providers have a minimum booking time, often around two hours. Most participants schedule cleaning services on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

When planning cleaning expenses, it’s important to leave enough funding for other daily supports. For guidance, participants can speak with their Plan Manager, Support Coordinator, or NDIS Planner to help organise their budget in a way that works best for them. 

Choosing the Right NDIS Cleaning Provider

Once your NDIS funding is in place, the next step is selecting a cleaning provider that suits your needs. A good provider should be experienced, respectful, and dependable with a reputation for providing consistent, high-quality cleaning services. It’s also important that they understand how to support individuals with different abilities and strictly follow NDIS guidelines.

Hiring a Service Provider as Per Your NDIS Plan

The type of NDIS plan you have will affect which cleaning businesses you’re allowed to hire and how payments are handled within your funding.

Participants whose plans are Agency-Managed can only book services through cleaning companies that are officially registered with the NDIS, and must follow the price limits set for cleaning support.

Those with Plan-Managed or Self-Managed funding have more flexibility and can choose either registered or non-registered providers, depending on their preferences. For the former, the NDIS sets a pricing cap for the service while the latter has no limit, as long as spending stays within your total budget. 

Why Registered NDIS Cleaning Providers are a Better Option

Since participants with Plan-Managed or Self-Managed funding have the option to choose between registered and non-registered cleaning providers, it’s important to understand which one is a better fit for you.

Working with a registered NDIS provider, such as Maidforyou, is usually preferred because services are designed to meet NDIS quality and safety requirements. In fact, registered providers must meet strict standards before offering support, reassuring participants of reliability and professionalism every time.

At Maidforyou, cleaners complete thorough background screening before working with participants. This includes national police checks and NDIS Worker Screening checks. Depending on local regulations, additional checks may also be required, including Working With Children Checks for participants under 18, or Working With Vulnerable People Checks.

NDIS pricing limits are mandatory for registered providers, so billing is clear, consistent, and easy to manage. Moreover, services are delivered in line with the NDIS Code of Conduct, ensuring safe, respectful interactions at all times.

Some participants may still choose non-registered providers, particularly those that price their services lower or prefer to stick with a cleaner they already know and trust. That said, the right option usually depends on individual preferences, support needs, and personal circumstances. 

How to Book an NDIS Cleaning Service

Booking an NDIS cleaning service is simple once you’ve chosen a provider. We work with all plan types, i.e., Agency-Managed, Plan-Managed, and Self-Managed, making the booking and payment process smooth and easy to manage.

Here is how the general process of booking an NDIS cleaning service works.

Step 1: Getting Started

The first thing you need to do is contact your provider to discuss the support required for yourself or the participant you are assisting. During this initial stage, you should enquire about what cleaning tasks are included, whether the service can be tailored to meet the participant’s needs, how often visits can be arranged, and what information is required for the booking (i.e., personal details, medical documents, etc.). 

Step 2: Complete the Booking

Contact your provider directly to book the cleaning service. They will ask for a few important details in order to customise the service and organise payments according to the participant’s plan.

In addition to the participant's name, NDIS number, and date of birth, the following information is required:

• Contact information for a nominee or authorised support person (if applicable)
• The address where cleaning will be carried out
• Relevant NDIS plan information and management details
• Billing arrangements based on plan type
• Preferred schedule, visit duration, and service frequency
• Your preferred contact method, such as phone, email, or SMS

Step 3: Set Up Your Service Agreement

After your booking information has been recorded, the provider will prepare a written agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the service. It includes pricing, scheduled visits, cleaning tasks included, and any individual preferences or special requirements. The agreement is helpful for all parties involved as it details exactly what to expect moving forward.

Step 4: Your Cleaning Service Begins

Once everything is confirmed, the scheduled cleaning services can begin. If needed, the participant’s nominee or Support Coordinator may be present for the first visit to ensure there are no misunderstandings and the service is carried out as per the agreement. It is only natural for most cleaners to require a few visits to familiarise themselves with the home and routine of the participant. The duration of each appointment is typically two hours and runs for the full allotted time. If all the tasks are completed early, the cleaners will carry out additional tasks listed in the agreement upon approval by the participant or Support Coordinator.

Step 5: Invoicing and Payment

After every completed service, the provider issues an invoice that is in line with NDIS requirements. It must contain the support item number (01_020_0120_1_1) for NDIS cleaning and household maintenance, as well as a unique invoice number. Other necessary information includes the provider’s ABN, bank details, and registered business name; the participant’s name, address, and NDIS number; and service-related details, such as duration and per-hour rate.

For Agency-Managed plans, the claim is submitted directly by the provider to the NDIS system for payment. With Plan-Managed funding, invoices are sent to the Plan Manager, who then processes payment on the participant’s behalf. Self-Managed participants pay for the service and then submit the invoice through the NDIS ‘myplace’ portal to receive reimbursement. Their debit or credit card details are saved with the provider and the payment is made only after the service is completed.

Step 6: Continued Support and Service Adjustments

Participants can expect reliable and consistent support from our cleaning staff and admin team. Wherever possible, we assign the same cleaners to ensure participants feel comfortable with familiar faces. If needed or requested, we will send a different cleaning team for the next appointment. We provide ongoing support for participants and are always happy to address any questions or concerns. 

As time passes, participants can also adjust different aspects of the service including cleaning schedules, recurrence of visits, and priority areas. We stay updated with changes made to NDIS guidelines and funding plans to ensure services, records, and billing meet NDIS requirements.

Why Choose Maidforyou for Your NDIS Cleaning

At Maidforyou, we provide cleaning support designed around the individual needs of NDIS participants, helping them maintain a safe, comfortable, and organised home. Our services are tailored to each person’s routines and preferences, ensuring reliability and respect throughout. As a registered NDIS cleaning provider, Maidforyou has extensive experience supporting participants and working with the NDIA and Plan Managers. We go above and beyond to make the process as smooth and convenient as possible for participants, providing long-term support for a safer, healthier household.