Domestic assistance and household tasks
Deliver NDIS household tasks as an independent support worker: cleaning, laundry, meal prep and shopping done WITH not FOR, safely and respecting the participant's home.
What household tasks support covers
Do it WITH, not FOR
Respect that it's their home
Cleaning safely
Laundry and personal items
Meal preparation and food safety
Shopping and handling money
Boundaries and scope creep
Recording your support
Frequently asked questions
What household tasks can an NDIS support worker help with?
Domestic assistance typically covers cleaning, laundry and ironing, meal preparation and cooking, washing up, tidying, bed-making and grocery shopping. It's funded because disability makes these harder or unsafe to do alone — so the focus is on supporting the participant, ideally doing tasks **with** them to build…
What does 'doing with, not for' actually mean?
It means involving the participant in tasks wherever it's safe and they want to, rather than taking over. You prompt, coach, teach and share the task — 'you wash, I'll dry' — so they build skills, confidence and independence. The finished chore is a by-product; the real support is the person doing more themselves over…
Can I do extra jobs the participant asks for on the day?
Be careful. Stick to the tasks and hours in your service agreement to avoid **scope creep** and unpaid or unsafe work. It's fine to be flexible, but for anything beyond the agreement — heavy jobs, whole-house cleans, tasks for other household members — talk it through and get it added properly rather than just…
How should I handle a participant's money when shopping?
With total transparency. Use their own card or cash, keep every receipt, return exact change, never mix their money with yours, buy only what's agreed, and record what was spent. Handling someone's money is a safeguarding hotspot — clear records protect the participant from financial abuse and protect you from any…
Do I have to follow special diets when preparing meals?
Yes. Honour allergies, cultural and religious preferences, and any medically set diet exactly — for example texture-modified food or thickened fluids for swallowing safety. These are set by health professionals for a reason, and getting them wrong can be dangerous. Follow the plan, and involve the participant in…
Can independents provide household support to NDIA-managed participants?
Generally no. As an unregistered independent you support **plan-managed** and **self-managed** participants directly. **NDIA-managed** participants must use registered providers, so they can't usually book you for household tasks unless you become a registered provider.