If you find tasks like mowing the lawn, pulling weeds or keeping your garden tidy a challenge, you may be able to use your NDIS funding to help.
You might be able to use your NDIS Plan to keep your yard clean, safe and liveable but it can be tricky to know exactly what’s covered. We’ve put together this handy guide to explain what yard maintenance supports the NDIS may fund and how to get started.
Keeping your yard safe, neat and liveable.
Whether you rent or own your home, yard maintenance is important for safety, comfort and accessibility.
The NDIS may fund the cost of hiring a service provider to help with your yard work, based on your individual needs. To be covered, the support must meet the following criteria:
- You’re unable to do the task yourself because of your disability
- The task doesn’t require a licensed tradesperson (like an electrician or plumber)
- The support helps you pursue your NDIS goals
- It’s considered an NDIS support for you
- It’s considered ‘reasonable and necessary’
- The task is directly related to your disability.
Using your NDIS Plan for yard maintenance.
Support for home and garden maintenance comes from your Core – Assistance with Daily Life budget.
This part of your plan is designed to support your everyday activities and often has flexibility, meaning you may be able to use it for yard maintenance if it’s relevant to your goals and needs.
Yard work is typically funded under the Assistance with Household Tasks support item. This category includes help with tasks like cleaning, laundry and garden maintenance.
Hourly price limits apply, depending on where you live:
- National: $56.98
- Remote: $79.77
- Very remote: $85.47
You don’t need to get a formal quote to use a provider, but it’s a good idea to ask for quotes from two or three services so you can compare pricing and what’s included.
What the NDIS may pay for around the yard.
NDIS funding can only be used for the cost of the service, not for materials. Covered yard maintenance tasks may include:
- Lawn mowing
- Trimming edges and hedges
- Weeding
- Fertilising lawns and garden beds
- Cleaning outdoor walkways and gutters
- Basic gardening and mulching.
What the NDIS won’t cover.
You’ll need to cover the cost of any materials or supplies your provider uses. The NDIS does not fund:
- Mulch, soil, fertiliser, compost, pesticides or other gardening products
- Home or yard repairs, renovations or improvements
- Standard home security, fences or gates
- Pools, pool maintenance or spa facilities
- Garden tools, equipment or appliances.
Making a plan to care for your yard.
The NDIS is designed to help you live more independently, so if you’re able to do some tasks, that’s great. Just be clear with your provider about what support you need.
Think about:
- What tasks you can do yourself
- How often your lawn needs to be mowed
- Whether some tasks, like weeding, can be done less frequently
If one of your NDIS goals is to build your independence through learning to do yard work, you may be able to use your Capacity Building budget for support such as skills training or gardening lessons.
6 tips for working with a yard maintenance provider.
Top tip: If you’re plan managed, you can choose any yard maintenance provider, even if they’re not NDIS registered.
- List the tasks you want done and how often
- Ask if there’s a discount for regular bookings
- Check the provider’s availability and preferred days
- Agree on a service agreement that outlines the tasks and pricing
- Organise access to your yard including unlocking gates or arranging key access
- Let your provider know if you have any pets and secure them when your provider is coming.
Preparing for NDIS reviews.
If you use NDIS funding for yard maintenance, it’s helpful to:
- Keep records of services and invoices
- Track how the support helps with your goals (the Leap in! app is a great place to set and track your goals)
- Take photos before and after yard maintenance if it demonstrates improved safety or accessibility
- Ask your provider for a support summary if needed.
This can help show how the support is reasonable and necessary and may strengthen your case during plan reassessments.
How Leap in! can help.
We’re here to help you get the most from your NDIS Plan and funding. If you have questions, our friendly Leap in! Crew can help.
Call us on 1300 05 78 78, email us at [email protected] or chat with us online at leapin.com.au.
Originally published 22 August, 2023. Revised and updated 4 August 2025.
