Practical support for everyday living ✦  Domestic Assistance

A more manageable home.
Support that builds independence.

Ability DN provides respectful domestic assistance for participants who need disability-related support with household tasks. We work alongside each person to maintain a safe, comfortable home while encouraging choice, participation and practical daily living skills.

Person-Centred Practical Support Choice and Control Geelong-Based
Ability DN providing practical domestic assistance in a participant's home
Your home. Your preferences. Your routine. Practical assistance delivered with dignity, consistency and respect.
✦  Understanding the service

What is domestic assistance?

Domestic assistance is support with everyday household tasks that may be difficult to complete because of a participant's disability. The aim is to help the person maintain their home and participate in daily life as independently as possible.

Support can be provided alongside the participant, through prompting or supervision, or by completing agreed tasks where direct assistance is required.

The type and frequency of support are based on the participant's goals, assessed needs, preferences and available NDIS funding.

Support at home

Practical assistance designed around the participant's home environment and routines.

Build everyday skills

Support can include learning, practising or maintaining household skills over time.

Safe and comfortable

Support focuses on maintaining a hygienic, organised and safer living environment.

Led by the participant

The participant's preferences, priorities and level of involvement guide the service.

✦  Household support

Domestic assistance may include

The exact tasks provided are agreed with the participant and must align with their disability-related support needs and NDIS plan.

01

General household cleaning

Assistance with agreed cleaning tasks to help maintain a hygienic and comfortable home.

02

Laundry and linen

Support with washing, drying, folding, changing bed linen and organising clean clothing.

03

Meal preparation routines

Assistance with simple meal preparation, kitchen routines and cleaning up after meals.

04

Kitchen and dishes

Support with dishes, wiping surfaces and keeping agreed kitchen areas organised.

05

Organisation and tidying

Assistance to organise commonly used spaces and maintain manageable household routines.

06

Regular household routines

Consistent support scheduled around agreed priorities, routines and funded support hours.

✦  Clear expectations

What the service may cover — and what it does not

Ability DN confirms the agreed scope of support before services begin. Funding and inclusions vary between participants.

Domestic assistance may include:

Disability-related assistance with agreed household tasks
Prompting, supervision or hands-on assistance
Support to build or maintain practical household skills
Regular routines based on the participant's support plan
Communication about agreed tasks and changing needs

The service does not usually include:

×General household costs, groceries or cleaning products unless separately agreed
×Repairs, maintenance, trade work or home modifications
×Specialist cleaning requiring licensed or commercial contractors
×Tasks unrelated to the participant's disability support needs
×Services outside the participant's approved funding or service agreement
Support with dignity and respect ✦  The Ability DN approach

We work with the participant, not around them

Domestic assistance should reflect how the participant wants their home and routines managed. We clarify priorities, preferred ways of working and the level of participation that feels right for each person.

1
Listen to preferences We discuss household priorities, routines and what matters most to the participant.
2
Agree on the tasks The scope of support is made clear before regular services begin.
3
Encourage participation Where appropriate, support is delivered alongside the participant to build confidence and skills.
4
Review and adjust Support can be reviewed when routines, priorities or disability-related needs change.
Ability DN support worker assisting with household routines
✦  Getting started

A simple pathway to domestic assistance

Participants, families, nominees and Support Coordinators can contact Ability DN to discuss current household support needs.

1

Enquire or refer

Contact Ability DN or submit a referral with the participant's available details.

2

Discuss priorities

We learn about the participant's household routines, goals and areas where support is needed.

3

Confirm the scope

We review funding, support hours, agreed tasks and service expectations.

4

Begin support

Services begin according to the agreed schedule, with ongoing communication and review.

✦  Common questions

Domestic Assistance FAQs

These answers provide general information. Individual services depend on the participant's NDIS plan, service agreement and assessed needs.

Can domestic assistance be funded through an NDIS plan?
It may be funded when the assistance is related to the participant's disability support needs, aligns with their plan and is an approved use of their available funding.
Will a support worker complete all household tasks for me?
The level of assistance depends on the participant's needs. Support may involve prompting, supervision, working alongside the participant or completing agreed tasks where direct assistance is required.
Are cleaning products included?
Ordinary household products and consumables are generally the participant's responsibility unless a different arrangement is clearly agreed before services begin.
Does domestic assistance include repairs or gardening?
Domestic assistance generally focuses on agreed household tasks. Repairs, trade work, modifications, specialist maintenance and other services require separate discussion and may not be included.
Can a family member or Support Coordinator make a referral?
Yes. Participants, families, nominees, Support Coordinators and other professionals can contact Ability DN with the participant's appropriate consent.
A practical next step

Need support with household routines?

Tell us about the participant's current needs, priorities and preferred household routines. Our team will review the information and explain the next suitable step.