Getting Support With Everyday Life Through the NDIS
If you’re navigating the NDIS for yourself or a loved one, you might have come across the term “Assistance with Daily Life” — but what does that really mean?
Put simply, this type of support is about giving you the help you need with everyday tasks — so you can live more independently, feel safer, and do more of the things you enjoy. Whether it’s getting out of bed, cooking meals, or heading to an appointment, assistance with daily life NDIS supports can make a big difference.
In this guide, we break down what this category includes, how to use it, and share some real-life examples of assistance with daily life NDIS supports.
In This Article
- What Is Assistance with Daily Life?
- Assistance With Daily Life NDIS Examples
- What About High-Intensity Daily Supports?
- What is Daily Assistance With Household Tasks
- What Is an Individualised Living Option (ILO)?
- Supports Related to Health and Daily Living
- What Isn’t Covered by Assistance With Daily Life?
- Choosing Providers: What Are Your Options?
- How to Add Assistance With Daily Life to Your Plan
- How Ability Assist Can Help
What Is Assistance with Daily Life?
Assistance with Daily Life is one of the Core Supports available through the NDIS. It’s designed to help you with regular, day-to-day activities that might be hard to manage on your own because of your disability.
This support can look different for everyone. For some people, it might mean having a support worker assist with showering or getting ready for the day. For others, it might mean help around the house or getting to a community activity.
The aim? To help you live as independently as possible — at home and out in the community.
Assistance With Daily Life NDIS Examples
Wondering what kinds of tasks are covered? Here are just a few assistance with daily life NDIS examples:
- Personal care – help with showering, dressing, toileting, and grooming
- Meal support – preparing meals or help with eating and drinking
- Getting out and about – support to attend appointments or access public transport
- Household tasks – cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, or basic yard work
- Managing routines – from getting up in the morning to winding down at night
The NDIS will fund these supports if they’re considered reasonable and necessary for your disability needs.
What About High-Intensity Daily Supports?
Some participants need more complex daily assistance. If that’s the case, the NDIS may also fund high-intensity supports such as:
- Support with PEG feeding or meal preparation for special diets
- Tracheostomy care or ventilator support
- Subcutaneous injections or other skilled medical support from trained workers
More information on High-Intensity supports can be found on the NDIS website here.
What is Daily Assistance With Household Tasks
Keeping on top of the house can be tricky without the right support. Through your Assistance with Daily Life funding, you might be able to access:
- General house cleaning
- Laundry support or a laundry service
- Lawn mowing and garden maintenance
- Dishwashing or basic kitchen tasks
What Is an Individualised Living Option (ILO)?
ILO is a type of NDIS support that lets you design a living arrangement that suits your needs. It’s flexible and person-centred — just like the NDIS should be.
Depending on your goals, you might:
- Live with a host family
- Share a home with other NDIS participants
- Be supported by a live-in mentor
- Get informal support from neighbours or friends
ILO is a good option if you need daily support but want more control over how and where you live. More information on ILO is found on the NDIS website here.
Supports Related to Health and Daily Living
Some disabilities also require ongoing health-related care. Under your NDIS plan, you might be able to get support for things like:
- Wound or pressure care
- Continence management
- Diabetes or chronic condition support
- Medication management
- Mental health support services
These can be essential to living safely and comfortably each day.
What Isn’t Covered by Assistance With Daily Life?
Your NDIS plan won’t fund everyday costs that aren’t directly linked to your disability. This includes:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Food and grocery bills
- Toiletries or personal items
- Movie tickets or entertainment
- Manicures, makeup, or other beauty services
Only the support itself (not the product or ticket) is generally covered.
Choosing Providers: What Are Your Options?
How your plan is managed will shape how flexible you can be when choosing support workers or services:
- Agency-managed: Only registered NDIS providers can be used, and prices follow NDIS limits
- Plan-managed: More freedom to choose providers (even if unregistered), without the admin burden
- Self-managed: Maximum choice and control, but you’ll need to handle all the paperwork and payments
How to Add Assistance With Daily Life to Your Plan
If you think you need support with daily activities, speak with your NDIS planner. Bring along:
- Notes from doctors, OTs or allied health professionals
- A list of daily tasks you find difficult
- Ideas for how support could improve your day-to-day life
NDIS plans are flexible, and you can ask for changes if your needs change over time.
How Ability Assist Can Help
At Ability Assist, we work alongside NDIS participants every day to support them with daily living and beyond. We’re a registered provider with over 30 years of experience in disability support across Melbourne.
We offer:
- Personalised support plans tailored to your needs and goals
- Support workers who are reliable, compassionate, and experienced
- Help at home, in shared living, or out in the community
- Friendly advice on navigating the NDIS and getting the right supports in place
Whether you need a little support or a lot — we’re here to assist you with daily life, your way.
📞 Call our team on (03) 9306 1770 or get in touch online to learn more.
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