Personal
care.
Personal care is help with private, everyday tasks like showering, dressing and eating. You set the routine, and your support plan writes it down so workers know how you like things done.
Personal careWhat this support
can include.
01Showering, bathing and hygiene
Help to shower or bathe, wash and dry your hair, brush your teeth and care for your skin. Your worker helps with the parts you find hard and leaves the rest to you.
02Getting dressed and grooming
Help to choose clothes, get dressed and undressed, shave or do your hair. If you wear splints or other aids, putting them on can be part of your morning or evening routine.
03Eating and drinking
Help to eat and drink, such as cutting up food or setting up your meal. If you have trouble swallowing, the NDIS Practice Standards say qualified health practitioners should assess your mealtime needs, and your support follows that plan.
What to know before you start.
Who personal care is for
Personal care is for people with disability who need help or supervision with personal tasks because of their disability. The aim is to help you live as independently as you can, at home and out in the community.
For children, the NDIA looks at whether a child needs much more help than other children the same age. This is because parents usually give everyday care to young children.
How personal care can be funded in your NDIS plan
Personal care is part of your Core supports budget, in the support category Core – Assistance with Daily Life. Core funding is usually flexible, so you can choose which NDIS supports to buy within that budget, in line with your plan.
Whether it's funded depends on your plan and what the NDIA agrees is reasonable and necessary. The NDIA looks at your goals and the help family and friends already give. It also asks whether equipment, home changes or skills training could help you do some tasks yourself.
NDIS price limits set the most a provider can charge for these supports when your funding is NDIA-managed or plan-managed. Your service agreement shows Heart for Care's prices before support starts.
Dignity, privacy and choosing your worker
Personal care is close and private. You decide how it is done and what you would rather do yourself. Tell us about your culture, language, religion and the kind of worker you feel comfortable with, and we match workers to your needs and preferences.
The NDIS Practice Standards say providers must respect and protect your dignity and privacy. NDIA guidance also says that if you do not want family members to give you intimate personal care, your wish should be respected.
What to expect when you start
Here is what happens after you get in touch.
- Call 1800 148 857, email admin@heartforcare.com.au or use the online form.
- Fill in an intake and referral form about your needs, goals and daily routine.
- Read and sign a written service agreement before any support starts.
- We complete a risk assessment and write a support plan with you, step by step, for each part of your routine.
- We choose workers who suit your needs and preferences, including for private tasks.
- We review your plan regularly and when your needs change. You can give feedback or complain to us at any time, or contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Information checked against official NDIS sources in October 2026. Your plan and the NDIS rules decide what can be funded.
Getting started with this support.
- 01
Tell us what you need
Share your goals, location and the support you’re looking for.
- 02
Talk through the options
Discuss suitable support, funding and availability with our team.
- 03
Choose how to proceed
Decide on your next step with the information you need.
Before support starts, ask about availability, costs and your agreement. What to check
Questions people ask.
Have another question? Ask our team.
/01What does personal care mean in the NDIS?
It means help with, or supervision of, personal tasks of daily life. The NDIS list of supports includes help with eating and drinking, dressing, toileting, showering, bathing, hair washing, and moving and positioning. The aim is to help you live as independently as possible.
/02How many hours of personal care can I get on the NDIS?
There is no set amount. It depends on your needs and what is in your plan. NDIA guidance says personal care is generally limited to a maximum of 6 hours a day. More may be considered in some cases, such as when two people are needed for transfers or when your needs are higher for a short time.
/03Can a support worker help with my medication?
A worker can remind you to take your medicine if this is in your support plan. Under the NDIS Practice Standards, workers who give medication must understand its effects and side effects, and records must show each medicine and dose. Tell us what you need so we can explain what support is possible.
/04Can a family member be paid to give me personal care?
Generally, no. NDIA guidance says the NDIS does not pay family members to deliver supports unless there are exceptional circumstances. Examples include a risk of harm or neglect, religious or cultural reasons, or strong personal views about privacy or dignity.
