Understanding Price Limits for Assistance with Daily Life Supports

# Understanding Price Limits for Assistance with Daily Life Supports The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) sets price limits for the supports and services it funds, including the crucial "Assistance with Daily Life" category. These price limits play a significant role in determining the costs NDIS participants pay for essential daily living supports. Understanding how these price limits are structured and updated is key for both NDIS participants and providers to ensure the effective utilization of NDIS funding. ## Introduction to NDIS Price Limits for Assistance with Daily Life Price limits are the maximum hourly or per-item rates that registered providers can charge NDIS participants for specific supports in the core "Assistance with Daily Life" category.[^27] These price limits are reviewed and updated annually to reflect changes in wage rates, the Superannuation Guarantee, and other cost drivers. The [NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements) document outlines the current and upcoming price limits for all NDIS support items. The price limits for Assistance with Daily Life supports are particularly important, as this category covers personal care, household tasks, and self-care skill development - the fundamental daily living supports that many NDIS participants rely on. Ensuring these price limits are set at appropriate levels is critical for maintaining a sustainable and equitable NDIS system that provides high-quality supports to all participants. ## Key Updates to Price Limits and Their Implications Recent changes to NDIS price limits have aimed to make the system fairer and more equitable for both participants and providers. For example, on [1 July 2025](https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10775-fairer-and-more-equitable-pricing-ndis-participants), price limits were increased by 3.95 percent to reflect Fair Work Commission wage decisions and the Superannuation Guarantee.[^28] This update helps ensure that providers can continue offering quality services while participants receive the supports they need. Another key change was the introduction of a Temporary Transformation Payment (TTP) loading on 12 self-care line items in the Assistance with Daily Life category. This TTP, which applied from October 2022 and was carried through subsequent pricing reviews, was designed to sustain supply and allow providers to develop efficiencies.[^29] The ANAO audit found that the TTP increased the standard weekday daytime rate from $62.17 to $64.04 per hour.[^48] Looking ahead, from [1 October 2024](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/pricing-updates), Intensive and Complex Behaviour Supports can be claimed at High Intensity Supports price limits for certain Assistance with Daily Life tasks.[^45] This change recognizes the additional resources and expertise required to support participants with complex behavioral needs. ## Understanding the NDIS Disability Support Worker Cost Model The NDIS Disability Support Worker Cost Model underpins the price limits for most daily-living supports. This model factors in direct and indirect costs, such as wages, on-costs, non-salary client-facing time, non-client-facing time, and overheads. The model is reviewed and updated annually to ensure the price limits remain appropriate and sustainable.[^28] Understanding how this cost model works is important for both NDIS participants and providers. Participants can better appreciate the rationale behind the price limits, while providers can ensure they are costing their services accurately and claiming the appropriate funding amounts. ## Eligibility and Access to Assistance with Daily Life Supports To access Assistance with Daily Life supports through the NDIS, an individual must first meet the general NDIS eligibility criteria: being under 65 years of age, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and having a permanent or likely permanent disability that substantially reduces their functional capacity.[^33] Once eligibility is confirmed, participants work with an NDIA planner or Local Area Coordinator to develop a plan that includes core budgets for Assistance with Daily Life.[^34] Participants can choose how their Assistance with Daily Life funding is managed - through NDIA-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed budgets. NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants must use registered providers charging within the price limits, while self-managed participants may negotiate higher rates.[^35] [Empowering NDIS Participants: Choosing Your Own Support Providers](/posts/empowering-ndis-participants-choosing-your-own-support-providers-f9164425) and [Transition from PRODA to myID and RAM: A Guide for NDIS Providers](/posts/transition-from-proda-to-myid-and-ram-a-guide-for-ndis-providers-fe09bcf3) provide additional information on participant choice and provider registration. ## Navigating Budget Management and Plan Utilisation NDIS plans specify an annual budget for Assistance with Daily Life supports, and participants must track their spending and manage their schedules accordingly.[^39] Support Coordinators can assist participants in implementing their plans, connecting with providers, and reviewing progress.[^40] Participants should also regularly review their plans with the NDIA or LAC to adjust budgets based on utilisation and changing needs.[^41] [Maximizing the Benefits of Occupational Therapy](/posts/maximizing-the-benefits-of-occupational-therapy-for-ndis-participants-0296dfd0), [Pricing for Therapy Supports: Understanding the Different Professional Rates](/posts/pricing-for-therapy-supports-understanding-the-different-professional-rates-1001460e), and [Unlocking Potential: The Role of Exercise Physiology](/posts/unlocking-potential-the-role-of-exercise-physiology-for-ndis-participants-2f096144) offer guidance on accessing and managing various types of Assistance with Daily Life supports. It's worth noting that as of [31 December 2024](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/supporting-people-with-disability), there were approximately 693,000 active NDIS participants, with 90 percent accessing core supports like Assistance with Daily Life.[^31] Additionally, core supports had an 82 percent plan utilisation rate from [1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/social-support/specialist-disability-support-services), indicating that participants were using most of their Assistance with Daily Life funding.[^32] [Empowering NDIS Participants: A Guide to Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness](/posts/ndis-person-centred-emergency-preparedness-guide) also provides valuable insights on managing NDIS plans and supports during unexpected situations. ## Conclusion: Maximising Benefits from NDIS Price Limits The NDIS price limits for Assistance with Daily Life supports play a crucial role in ensuring the scheme's sustainability and the provision of quality services for participants. By understanding the latest updates, the underlying cost model, and the processes for accessing and managing these supports, NDIS participants and providers can work together to maximize the benefits of the NDIS and improve the lives of people with disability. If you have any questions or need personalized support in navigating the NDIS, be sure to engage with Sandi, your virtual assistant, at [https://sandi.app](https://sandi.app). Sandi can provide tailored guidance and connect you with the resources you need to effectively utilize your NDIS funding and supports. ## References 1. [NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements) 2. [Fairer and more equitable pricing for NDIS participants](https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10775-fairer-and-more-equitable-pricing-ndis-participants) 3. [ANAO Audit of Assistance with Daily Life Supports](https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/effectiveness-the-national-disability-insurance-agencys-management-assistance-daily-life-supports) 4. [Pricing updates](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/pricing-updates) 5. [People with disability – specialised support services](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/supporting-people-with-disability) 6. [People with disability in Australia](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/social-support/specialist-disability-support-services) 7. [Accessability NDIS Price Guide](https://www.accessability.org.au/price-guide/) 8. [Applying to access the NDIS](https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis) 9. [Reasonable and necessary supports](https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/reasonable-and-necessary-supports) 10. [Supports and services funded by the NDIS](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/becoming-ndis-provider/am-i-ready/supports-and-services-funded-ndis) [^27]: [NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements) [^28]: [Fairer and more equitable pricing for NDIS participants](https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10775-fairer-and-more-equitable-pricing-ndis-participants) [^29]: [ANAO Audit of Assistance with Daily Life Supports](https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/effectiveness-the-national-disability-insurance-agencys-management-assistance-daily-life-supports) [^30]: [Pricing updates](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/pricing-updates) [^31]: [People with disability – specialised support services](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/supporting-people-with-disability) [^32]: [People with disability in Australia](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/social-support/specialist-disability-support-services) [^33]: [Applying to access the NDIS](https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis) [^34]: [Reasonable and necessary supports](https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis/reasonable-and-necessary-supports) [^35]: [Supports and services funded by the NDIS](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/becoming-ndis-provider/am-i-ready/supports-and-services-funded-ndis) [^39]: [Home and living](https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living) [^40]: [COVID-19 updates](https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4676-covid-19-updates) [^41]: [What is an eligibility reassessment?](https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible/what-eligibility-reassessment) [^45]: [Pricing updates](https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/pricing-updates) [^48]: [ANAO audit](https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/effectiveness-the-national-disability-insurance-agencys-management-assistance-daily-life-supports)