How Much is an NDIS Support Worker Rate?

How Much is an NDIS Support Worker Rate?

  • Prakash Bartaula
  • 1 June, 2024
7 Min Read

NDIS support worker rates are determined by several factors including the time of day (daytime, evening, night), day of the week (weekday, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday), and the location (non-remote, remote, very remote). Additionally, how the participant’s NDIS plan is managed—agency-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed—affects the rates. Rates for TTP providers are slightly higher.

How Much is an NDIS Support Worker Rate?

NDIS support worker rate is determined by several factors, including the time of day, day of the week (weekday, weekend, or public holiday), location (non-remote, remote, or very remote), and how the participant manages their NDIS plan (agency, plan, or self-managed). 

Providers registered as TTP providers receive slightly higher rates. The rates vary based on these factors, ensuring fair compensation for the services provided by NDIS support workers.

ndis support worker rate1

Your NDIS Support Worker’s Pay

An NDIS support worker is paid by the hour. Their pay rate depends on:

Time of Day

  • Daytime
  • Evening
  • Night (see definitions for time of day and day of week)

Day of Week or Holiday

  • Weekday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday
  • Public Holiday

Location of Support

  • Non-Remote
  • Remote
  • Very Remote (see how to determine your MMM location rating)

NDIS Plan Management

  • Agency Managed
  • Plan Managed
  • Self-Managed

There are also slightly higher TTP rates for providers that are TTP providers. Find out more about TTP rates.

NDIS Support Worker Rates

Effective from July 1, 2023, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has updated the NDIS support worker rates. Please note that the NDIA does not set the prices that providers charge participants. Each provider must negotiate and agree on the price for each support with each participant.

Self-Managed Participants

If a participant is self-managed, they are not required to observe the price limits set by the NDIA. They can negotiate and pay their support workers at rates they agree upon. Self-managed participants can use any providers, including those not registered with the NDIS.

Plan-Managed Participants

For participants who are plan-managed, they cannot pay more than the rates specified in the NDIS Price Guide. However, they can use any providers, regardless of their NDIS registration status.

Agency-Managed Participants

Participants who are agency-managed are subject to two restrictions. First, they cannot pay more than the rates outlined in the NDIS Price Guide. Second, they can only engage with NDIS Registered Providers.

It is essential for participants and providers to understand these guidelines and negotiate rates accordingly, ensuring compliance with the NDIS regulations and maximizing the benefits of the support services provided.

ndis support worker rate

Remote and Very Remote Service Rates

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) uses a pricing model called the Modified Monash Model (MMM) to determine if services are being provided in remote or very remote areas. This impacts the rates that providers can charge.

Definitions

  • Remote Area: MMM6 classification
  • Very Remote Area: MMM7 classification

Determining Your Area

To find out if you are providing services in a remote (MMM6) or very remote (MMM7) area, you can use the online NDIS resource “Understanding the NDIS MMM Pricing Model”. This will allow you to enter the service address and see which MMM zone it falls under.

Pricing Impact

Services provided in remote and very remote areas qualify for higher pricing rates from the NDIS to account for the increased cost of service delivery in those locations.

Read more: $15000 NDIS holiday

Travel/Transport Costs for Support Workers

Support workers can charge for certain travel and transport-related expenses when providing services under an NDIS plan. These charges fall into two main categories:

1. Direct Travel Expenses

  • Costs like parking fees, tolls, etc. incurred during travel to deliver support services
  • These can be claimed as part of the community participation support funding in the participant’s NDIS plan

2. Vehicle Costs

  • Support providers may charge a reasonable amount to cover vehicle depreciation costs when using their own vehicle for travel related to delivering services

The specific rates or calculation methods for these travel/transport charges can vary between providers. It’s recommended to clarify the provider’s policies and have a clear understanding of what expenses may be charged.

The NDIS Travel & Transport funding guide for participants provides more detailed information on what travel costs are reasonable and can be covered under NDIS funding.

Providing Support for Multiple Participants Simultaneously

When delivering support services to a group of participants simultaneously, the following guidelines apply:

Price Limit Adjustment

The price limit for each participant in the group is calculated by dividing the applicable price limit by the number of participants in the group. This adjustment ensures fair pricing for group-based support services, unless specified otherwise in the NDIS Price Guide.

Claim Submission

Providers should submit a separate claim for each participant in the group, using the relevant support item code. Each claim should reflect the total duration of the support service provided, but with the adjusted (divisible) price limit as outlined above.

Group-based Support Pricing

It’s important to note that the Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation Support Category in the NDIS Price Guide may have specific pricing arrangements for group-based supports. Providers should refer to the Price Arrangements and Supports Guide for detailed information on these pricing structures.

By following these guidelines, providers can ensure accurate billing and compliance with NDIS regulations when delivering support services to multiple participants simultaneously.

 

DAILY LIFE ASSISTANCE INCLUDING SIL

DAILY LIFE ASSISTANCE INCLUDING SIL-1

Download the table here.

Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation

Download this table here.

*NDIS Support Time of the Day Definitions

Support rates vary according to the time of day. Here are the definitions for different times and days of the week:

General Guidelines

  • Providers must first determine the day of the week when the support was provided and then the specific time of day.
  • Weekday refers to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Weekday Support

  1. Weekday Daytime Support
    • Starts at or after 6:00 am and ends before or at 8:00 pm on a single weekday.
    • Does not include Public Holiday Support or Night-time Sleepover Support.
  2. Weekday Evening Support
    • Starts after 8:00 pm and finishes at or before midnight on a single weekday.
    • Does not include Public Holiday Support or Night-time Sleepover Support.
  3. Weekday Night Support
    • Starts at or before midnight on a weekday and finishes after midnight on that weekday.
    • Commences before 6:00 am on a weekday and finishes on that weekday.
    • Does not include Public Holiday Support, Saturday Support, Sunday Support, or Night-time Sleepover Support.

Night-time Sleepover Support

  • Delivered on a weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or Public Holiday.
  • Starts before midnight and finishes after midnight.
  • Lasts for a continuous period of eight (8) hours or more.
  • The worker is allowed to sleep when not providing support.
  • Includes up to two hours of active support. Providers can claim for the third or additional hour at Saturday rates on weekdays, or at applicable rates on other days (Saturday, Sunday, or Public Holidays).

Public Holiday Support

  • Starts at or after midnight on the night before a Public Holiday.
  • Ends before or at midnight of the Public Holiday.
  • Does not include Night-time Sleepover Support.

Saturday Support

  • Starts at or after midnight on the night before a Saturday.
  • Ends before or at midnight of that Saturday.
  • Does not include Public Holiday Support or Night-time Sleepover Support.

Sunday Support

  • Starts at or after midnight on the night before a Sunday.
  • Ends before or at midnight of that Sunday.
  • Does not include Public Holiday Support or Night-time Sleepover Support.

Billing for Supports Not Meeting Criteria

If a support to an individual participant does not meet one of the above criteria, it needs to be billed as two or more separate supports.

Exception: When a support period crosses a shift boundary and the same worker delivers the entire support. The rules are:

  • The higher of the relevant price limits applies to the entire support.
  • The provider should make the claim against the relevant support item.

Providers must discuss this billing arrangement with the participant.

 

Prakash Bartaula

Joined : 5 April, 2024

I’m deeply passionate about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and dedicated to exploring its intricacies. Through research, communication, and writing, I aim to shed light on NDIS provisions and empower individuals with disabilities. Join me as we navigate the transformative potential of the NDIS together.

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