Time to declutter? The NDIS might fund it
Keeping on top of your physical space can be challenging if you experience disability. That’s where decluttering and cleaning services can help.
The NDIS does, in some cases, fund such services to help participants build skills, have clean space, and ensure their home is safe to move around in.
Are you, or your participant, eligible? This is what you need to know.
What are the benefits of decluttering?
Cleaning and decluttering a home can be an overwhelming process for anyone––especially for a person who experiences mobility, balance, mental, or other challenges.
For some, being able to declutter on their own can be out of the question. But decluttering can help in many ways. Organisation can make a home a calmer place to be, make things much simpler to find, and can help ensure the home is safe to physically navigate.
More than that, decluttering can also ensure the home is hygienic. Decluttering can reduce the amount of mildew, dust, mould, and pests in the home––things that can cause respiratory and other health issues.
Daily living––whether preparing food, getting dressed, going to bed, and more––can be much simpler in a clean and tidy home too.
Will the NDIS fund decluttering services?
The NDIS may fund decluttering and organisation services for some participants. As with all supports, decluttering must be considered ‘reasonable and necessary’. The support should also relate to a goal in the participant’s plan.
If decluttering services are funded, they can be covered under different codes within the core and capacity-building budgets.
As a general guide:
- Core:
If a decluttering or home organisation professional is advising the participant, the support can be covered by: - 01_011_0107_1_1 – Assistance With Self-Care Activities – Standard – Weekday Daytime $65.47
- 01_004_0107_1_1 – Assistance with Personal Domestic Activities $55.03
- Core or cleaning:
If a decluttering professional is performing the service or cleaning, the support can be covered by: - 01_020_0120_1_1 – House Cleaning And Other Household Activities $54.07
One distinction to be aware of is, if a participant is building a skill, they can access the support for $65.47 p/h. But, if the professional is cleaning or organising, then cleaning or domestic codes should be used.
Cleaning professional and support workers, which includes decluttering should charge the relevant rates as listed above, however there will be some allied health professionals who provide therapeutic supports under the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission’s requirements, which may be described as decluttering for marketing purpose, that may meet the requirements of a relevant AHPRA registration and charge other rates.
How can I find a decluttering service?
A range of NDIS-registered decluttering, organisation, and cleaning professionals exist in Australia.
Your support coordinator or LAC are the best first ports of call to help find services that are most appropriate for you.
We’re here to help
We know that navigating the NDIS can be a potentially confusing and challenging process. Fortunately, at myAutonomy, we can help clarify what is and isn’t funded upfront so you don’t get any nasty surprises down the line.
Reach out to our friendly team and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Contact us at 1300 60 33 89 or at [email protected] and we can help.