Personal Care vs Household Support Under the NDIS
Personal care and household support can both help with everyday life, but they focus on different tasks. The right mix depends on the participant’s needs, goals, plan and agreed support arrangements.
The practical difference
Personal care focuses on tasks connected directly to the person, such as hygiene, dressing and other self-care routines. Household support focuses on tasks around the home, such as cleaning, laundry, cooking and everyday errands.
NDIS guidance includes both personal care and household support within examples of everyday support. They can be delivered separately or together when the participant’s plan and support arrangement allow it.
How the two supports can work together
A morning shift might include help with dressing and breakfast, while another visit may focus on laundry, meal preparation or keeping the home environment organised.
The important question is not which label sounds better. It is what assistance the participant actually needs, what they want to do independently and what their current NDIS funding can be used for.
Questions to clarify before support starts
Discuss which tasks need hands-on assistance, which tasks only need prompting or supervision, any privacy preferences, how household tasks should be prioritised and what the participant wants to learn to do more independently over time.
Helpful related pages
Continue with the guide or service page that best matches the support question you are working through.
Official NDIS information used for this guide
NDIS rules and terminology can change. These official pages are useful for checking the latest position.
Important: This AIC Services guide is general information, not an NDIS funding decision, clinical advice or legal advice. Participants should check their current plan and official NDIS information for their circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of personal care support?
NDIS guidance gives general hygiene and dressing as examples of personal care support. The exact assistance should reflect the participant’s needs and agreed support arrangements.
What is an example of household support?
Household support may include tasks such as cleaning, meal preparation, laundry or running everyday errands, depending on the participant’s goals and funding.
Can the same support worker help with both?
They may be able to when both types of assistance are within the participant’s plan, the worker’s role and the agreed service arrangement. Clarify the scope before support begins.
Contact AIC Services
AIC Services
54 Main Road
Moonah, TAS 7009
Phone:
1300 023 456
Email:
support@aicservices.com.au
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
54 Main Road, Moonah TAS 7009
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