NDIS Line Items Explained: Codes, Categories and Price Limits
NDIS line items explained: what support item codes mean, how they map to budgets and price limits, and how to claim against them correctly.
What an NDIS line item actually is
The three budget types every line item belongs to
The 15 support categories
How to read a line item code
The line item sets your ceiling — not your price
Unit types: how each line item is measured
Price-limited, quotable and stated supports
Worked example: one shift, three ways to get it wrong
Line-item mistakes that trigger rejections and clawbacks
What's changing for line items in 2026-27
Where to find the authoritative list — and your next step
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a support category and a line item?
A support category is one of the funding buckets in a participant's plan — for example, Assistance with Daily Life or Support Coordination. A line item (support item) is a specific claimable support inside that category, with its own code, unit of measure and price limit. You claim against line items; the plan is funded in categories.
How do I find the correct NDIS line item to claim?
Use the current NDIS Support Catalogue and Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) on ndis.gov.au. Match the support you delivered to the item that reflects the right category, the right day and time of day, and the right unit (hour, each, day, week). Copy the exact item number — don't reuse an old spreadsheet, because codes and prices change each 1 July.
Is the NDIS price limit the amount I pay my support worker?
No. The price limit is the maximum a provider can charge, set by the NDIA in the PAPL — around $70 an hour for standard weekday assistance in recent years. Worker pay comes from the SCHADS Award (MA000100) via Fair Work, commonly $31 to $44 an hour. The gap covers superannuation, insurance, leave, admin, supervision and margin — it is not all profit.
Can I charge more than the NDIS price limit for a line item?
Not for a price-limited support. The published limit is a cap; you may charge less but never more, and you can't add a separate fee or gap payment on top. Some items are quotable (assistive technology, home modifications) and require an approved quote instead of a fixed limit — deliver those only after the NDIA approves the quote.
What happens if I claim against the wrong line item?
The claim may reject outright — for an expired code, a wrong budget category or a price above the limit. If an incorrect claim does pay, it can be recovered at a payment review or audit. Under the 'prove and pay' model rolling out from July 2026, evidence is captured per claim, so choosing the correct item and holding matching proof matters more than ever.