High-intensity daily personal activities
High-intensity NDIS supports as an independent worker: PEG feeding, catheter, bowel care, seizures and more — the training you need, your scope, and when to refer.
What 'high-intensity' means
Why the bar is higher
The training and competency you actually need
Delegation and clinical oversight
Working strictly within your skills
When to refer or escalate
Should you take on high-intensity work at all?
Insurance, records and safeguards
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a high-intensity support?
High-intensity daily personal activities are higher-risk, complex supports needing specific training and often clinical oversight. They commonly include **complex bowel care**, **PEG / enteral feeding**, **catheter** and **stoma care**, **ventilation** and tracheostomy support, **subcutaneous injections**, **severe…
Do I need special training for high-intensity supports?
Yes — always. You need task-specific training from a qualified professional, a **competency assessment** confirming you can do it safely, and **participant-specific** training for that person's plan and equipment, with ongoing review. The NDIS Commission's **High Intensity Support Skills Descriptors** set the…
Can an independent support worker do PEG feeding or catheter care?
Only if you're specifically trained, assessed as competent, and authorised for that task and that participant, usually under delegation from a health professional with a clear plan and someone to escalate to. As a sole trader you must arrange this clinical framework yourself — it doesn't come automatically. Without it,…
What is delegation in high-intensity supports?
Delegation is when a health professional — a nurse, doctor or allied health professional — assesses the participant, sets a plan, trains and signs off the worker, and stays available for review. You carry out the clinical task within that framework rather than on your own judgement. It's a safety net: no plan, training…
What should I do if I'm asked to do a task I'm not trained for?
Decline it clearly and professionally — 'I'm not trained to do that safely' is a complete answer. Never attempt a high-intensity task for the first time under pressure or in an emergency. Instead, arrange someone who is trained and competent, escalate to the participant's health professional or coordinator, and call…
Does my insurance cover high-intensity supports?
Don't assume so. A general support-worker policy may not cover complex clinical tasks. Speak to your insurer about the specific high-intensity supports you provide and confirm cover in writing before you deliver them. Also keep your training records, competency assessments and participant health plans on file as…