Plain-English guides on the NDIS and Support at Home from Kindora Connect, Adelaide. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/feed.xml 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 Kindora Connect https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/how-to-make-an-ndis-referral 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

A practical guide for participants, families and support coordinators preparing an initial NDIS referral to Kindora Connect. A referral tells a provider who needs support, what support is wanted and who to contact next. It starts a conversation; it is not a booking. Anyone can refer with the participant’s consent: the participant, a family member, a support coordinator or another professional. Have the participant’s goals, plan management type, suburb and the supports you are asking about ready before you start. Use the NDIS pathway for NDIS participants. Support at Home is a separate aged care program with different arrangements.

An NDIS referral is how you ask a provider to consider supporting a participant. At Kindora Connect, a Registered NDIS Provider in Adelaide, the referral gives our team enough detail to call the right person, understand what is being asked for and work out whether we can help. This guide walks through who can refer, what to prepare and what the form asks for. Who can make an NDIS referral? Participants can refer themselves. Family members, carers, support coordinators, plan managers, allied health professionals and hospital staff often refer too. Whoever fills in the form, the participant should know about it and agree to be contacted. If someone else makes decisions for the participant, such as a nominee or child representative, include their details. For a child under 18, the NDIS usually deals with a child representative, a person with parental responsibility who can make decisions on the child’s behalf. Referrals for children should come from, or be agreed with, that person. What should you prepare before you start? A few minutes of preparation saves back-and-forth later. Use this checklist: the participant’s name, date of birth and preferred way to be contacted the suburb where support will happen, such as home, work or a day program the supports you are asking about, for example personal care, transport or community participation how the plan is managed: self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed the participant’s NDIS number, if you have it and they are happy to share it any times or days that suit, and anything that does not communication needs, such as an interpreter, Auslan or plain-language information a second contact, such as a family member or support coordinator Plan management matters because it changes who pays the provider. The NDIS explains that funding can be self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed, or a mix of these. Our guide to NDIS plan management options explains the difference. How do you make a referral to Kindora Connect, step by step? Open the NDIS referral form and choose “NDIS referral”. The questions change depending on the pathway you pick. Enter the participant’s details and your relationship to them, if you are referring on their behalf. Tick the supports you are asking about. You can choose more than one. Add the suburb, preferred support times, plan management type and an emergency contact. Confirm the participant has agreed to the referral, then submit. Keep your phone nearby. Our team contacts the person named on the referral to talk it through. If you would rather talk first, call us instead. A phone call is often easier for families who are not sure which supports to ask for. How do you choose the right pathway? Use the NDIS pathway when the person is an NDIS participant, or is applying to become one. Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program for older people, and it runs separately from the NDIS. The NDIS eligibility criteria include being under 65 when you apply. Older people who need help at home usually go through My Aged Care and Support at Home instead. If you are unsure, describe the situation and we will point you to the right pathway. Our guide on how family members can enquire about support covers this in more detail. What details help us respond faster? The more specific the referral, the quicker we can work out whether we are a good fit. Instead of “needs support at home”, try “help with showering and dressing on weekday mornings before 8am in Modbury”. Mention any goals the supports relate to, such as getting back to work or joining a local group. It also helps to tell us what has not worked before. If a participant finds new people stressful, or needs a female worker, say so. That information shapes who we would suggest and how we would plan a first meeting. What should you leave out? Only share what is needed to start the conversation. You do not need to attach full plans, medical reports or reports from other providers at this stage. If more information is needed, we will explain why, ask for consent and suggest a secure way to send it. Not for emergencies The referral form is not monitored around the clock. If there is an immediate risk to someone’s health or safety, call 000. What happens next? We review the referral, then call the contact person to talk about the participant’s needs, location, timing and plan. Sometimes we can help; sometimes another provider is a better fit, and we will say so. You can read more in what happens after an NDIS referral. Common supports people refer for include NDIS personal care, transport support and community participation. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/what-happens-after-an-ndis-referral 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What participants, families and professional referrers can expect after submitting an NDIS referral. After a referral, we review it and call the contact person to talk about needs, location, timing and the NDIS plan. A referral starts a conversation. It does not guarantee a start date, a particular worker or that we are the right provider. If support goes ahead, what we will do, when and at what cost is written into a service agreement you agree to first. You can change your mind or choose another provider at any point before and after support starts.

Sending a referral can feel like the hard part, and then there is a wait. This guide explains what Kindora Connect does with an NDIS referral, the questions we usually ask, and how a referral turns into support. It is written for participants, families and support coordinators in Adelaide. What happens in the first review? We read the referral to check the essentials: who the participant is, who we should contact, the suburb, the supports being asked for and how the plan is managed. We also look for anything that affects safety or communication, such as a preference for phone or text, an interpreter, or a need for two workers. If something important is missing, the first call is used to fill the gap. Nobody is turned away because a field was left blank. Who will we contact, and what will we ask? We contact the person named as the main contact. That might be the participant, a family member or a support coordinator. On the call we usually talk about: what a good week of support looks like for the participant the goals in their NDIS plan that the supports relate to days, times and places where support is needed anything that has not worked well with previous supports preferences about workers, such as gender, language or experience how the plan is managed, so we know how invoices will be paid We may also ask if we can meet the participant, at home or somewhere they feel comfortable, before anything is agreed. Meeting in person helps both sides decide whether it is a good fit. How does a referral become support? Referral received and reviewed. First conversation with the contact person. A meeting with the participant, if everyone agrees. We confirm what we can offer, including days, times and the workers we would suggest. A service agreement is prepared and talked through before it is signed. Support starts on the agreed date, and we check in early to see how it is going. The NDIS describes a service agreement as the written arrangement between a participant and a provider. It sets out the supports the provider will deliver, how and when they will be delivered, what they cost, and how either side can change or end the arrangement. Read it carefully and ask questions before signing. How long does it take? It depends on the supports requested, the times needed and worker availability in the area. A simple request with flexible times can move quickly. A request for early mornings every day, or for complex support, takes longer to plan well. We will give you an honest idea on the first call rather than a promise we cannot keep. No automatic start Submitting a referral does not guarantee acceptance, funding, a particular worker or a start date. It is the beginning of a conversation. What if Kindora Connect is not the right fit? Sometimes we cannot help, for example if the times needed do not match our team, or the supports fall outside what we deliver. When that happens we tell you promptly so you can keep looking. Participants always have choice and control over who supports them. The NDIS Commission suggests checking the NDIS provider register and the NDIA provider finder when you are choosing providers. Our guide to registered and unregistered NDIS providers explains what registration means. What can you do while you wait? keep a copy of the participant’s current NDIS plan handy jot down questions you want to ask on the first call think about which days and times really matter, and which can be flexible let us know if contact details change If the referral is urgent, for example because a carer is unwell, say so on the form or call us. We will tell you straight away whether we can respond in the time you need. Can you ask for a different worker? Yes. If a worker is not the right fit, tell us. Changing workers is a normal part of getting support right, and it will not affect how we treat the participant. How do you change or withdraw a referral? Call or email us at any time to update details, add supports or withdraw the referral. You do not need to give a reason. If support has already started, the service agreement explains how either side can end it. Related guides: how to make an NDIS referral and preparing for an initial support discussion. Supports people often ask about next include household tasks and respite care. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/choosing-disability-support-services-adelaide 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

Questions to consider when choosing local disability support services for daily living, community access and independence goals. Start with the participant’s goals and routines, then look for providers who can deliver those specific supports in your suburb. Check the NDIS provider register if registration matters to you, and ask how workers are screened and trained. Ask clear questions about times, cancellations, communication and how concerns are handled before you sign anything. You can change providers. Your service agreement explains how to end an arrangement.

Choosing disability support is personal. The right provider for one person can be wrong for another, even with the same NDIS plan. This guide suggests questions to ask when choosing support services in Adelaide, so that the decision rests on the participant’s needs rather than on marketing. What should you decide before you start looking? Before comparing providers, get clear on what the support is for. It helps to write down: the goals in the NDIS plan that the support relates to the tasks the participant needs help with, and the ones they want to keep doing days, times and places where support is needed what matters most in a worker, such as patience, language, gender or shared interests what has and has not worked with previous supports The NDIS Commission suggests a similar starting point: think about what supports you need, whether the provider can deliver them, whether your supports need a registered provider, and whether the provider will put you first and listen to you. Does the provider need to be registered? It depends partly on how the plan is managed. If funding is NDIA-managed, the providers must be registered. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can choose registered or unregistered providers. Some supports now need a registered provider regardless of plan management. For example, the NDIS says all providers delivering supported independent living (SIL) must be registered from 1 July 2026. Kindora Connect is a Registered NDIS Provider; you can read about registered and unregistered NDIS providers to decide what matters for you. What questions should you ask a provider? Which of the supports we need do you deliver, and in which suburbs? Who would the workers be, and can we meet them first? How are workers screened, trained and supervised? What happens if a worker is sick or running late? How much notice do you need to change or cancel a shift? How do you keep the participant, and the family if they want, informed? How do we raise a concern, and what happens then? What will the service agreement cover, and can we take it home to read? Good providers answer these plainly. Be cautious of anyone who promises everything, guarantees outcomes or pushes you to sign quickly. How do you check worker screening? Registered providers must make sure workers in risk-assessed roles hold an NDIS Worker Screening clearance. Unregistered providers are not legally required to, although the NDIS Commission recommends it. Ask any provider directly whether their workers are screened. How do you judge whether support is working? In the first few weeks, notice whether: workers arrive on time and know the plan before they start the participant feels respected and listened to the provider responds to feedback and makes changes you get clear invoices that match the service agreement Every NDIS provider and worker, registered or not, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct. It includes respecting people’s rights and privacy, providing supports safely and competently, acting with integrity and raising concerns about quality and safety. If something is not right, raise it with the provider first. You can also contact the NDIS Commission. How do you compare prices and agreements? Ask each provider for its prices in writing, including any travel or cancellation charges. The NDIS sets price limits for many supports, and self-managed participants can negotiate prices above or below them. The NDIS Code of Conduct also says providers must not charge NDIS participants higher prices than other customers without a reasonable justification. Before you sign a service agreement, check that it covers: when and where each support will be provided how the provider will be paid, and by whom what each side will do if responsibilities are not met how to raise a concern, and who to contact if it is not resolved how long the agreement lasts, when it is reviewed and how to end it The NDIS also says the agreement should be in a format and language you understand. Ask for a plain-language version if you need one. Where does local knowledge help? A provider that knows your area can plan around the things that matter day to day: which bus gets to the interchange, where the accessible parking is at the hospital, which community centre runs the group you want to join. In Adelaide’s north-east, for example, our Modbury page lists local places we support people to visit. Keep it about the participant The best choice is the one the participant is comfortable with. Involve them in meeting providers and deciding, as much as they want to be involved. When you are ready, our guide to preparing for an initial support discussion helps you get the first conversation right. You can also browse our NDIS personal care and life skills development pages. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/understanding-support-at-home-service-arrangements 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

A plain-English overview of how Support at Home works: assessment, classification, budget and provider arrangements. Support at Home is the Australian Government’s in-home aged care program. It started on 1 November 2025. You need an aged care assessment through My Aged Care, then a classification and budget, before services can start. Your budget is held by Services Australia. Your provider works with you to decide how to spend it on your approved services. Kindora Connect delivers Support at Home services as an associated provider through VitalCare Support.

Support at Home arrangements can seem complicated: an assessment, a classification, a budget, a registered provider and sometimes an associated provider. This guide explains how the pieces fit together, in plain English, for older people and families in Adelaide. What is Support at Home? Support at Home is the Australian Government program that helps older people stay living at home. It started on 1 November 2025 and replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. See our guide to Support at Home vs Home Care Packages for what changed. Services fall into three groups: clinical supports such as nursing and occupational therapy; independence, such as help with showering, medications, transport and respite; and everyday living, such as cleaning, gardening, shopping and meals. How do you get Support at Home? Apply for an aged care assessment through My Aged Care, online or by calling 1800 200 422. An assessor meets you to understand your needs and goals. If approved, you receive a letter and support plan listing your approved services and your classification. When funding is available, you choose a provider and agree on the mix of services. Services start, and you receive a monthly statement showing how your budget is being spent. The My Aged Care phone line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, and Saturday, 10am to 2pm. What is a classification and a budget? After assessment you are given one of 8 ongoing classifications, each with a quarterly budget. Your budget is held by Services Australia on your behalf, so you do not handle the money yourself. Your provider works with you to decide how to spend it across your approved services, and must send you an itemised monthly statement. Our guide to Support at Home classifications and budgets lists the current amounts. What does a registered provider do? A registered provider is an organisation registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to deliver funded aged care. Registered providers can have other organisations deliver services on their behalf, but they cannot hand over their legal responsibilities. They must make sure those organisations meet the rules, including worker screening. Where does an associated provider fit in? An associated provider delivers services on behalf of a registered provider, much like a subcontractor. Kindora Connect delivers Support at Home services as an associated provider through VitalCare Support. In practice, VitalCare Support is the registered provider and manages your Support at Home budget. Kindora Connect plans and delivers your day-to-day services and is your main contact for your care. Our explainer on what associated provider means goes into more detail. What should you ask before services start? Which of my approved services will be delivered, and by whom? What does each service cost, and what contribution will I pay? Who do I call day to day, and who do I call if something goes wrong? How are workers screened and matched to me? How do I change my services, or my provider, later? Providers set their own prices and must publish their full price list online, so you can compare. You can read about what you might pay in Support at Home contributions explained. How long might you wait for funding? My Aged Care says funding wait times depend on the services you are approved for and your priority category. Your approval letter comes first; your budget follows when funding becomes available. It is fine to talk to providers while you wait, so you are ready to start. Who oversees providers? The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission manages non-compliance for registered providers. Registered providers must give the Commission a full list of the associated providers delivering aged care on their behalf, when they register and when they renew. Can you change the mix of services? Yes. You and your provider agree the mix of services within your budget, and you can ask to change it at any time. If your needs change significantly, you can ask for a reassessment. Nothing is automatic An enquiry does not confirm eligibility, funding or a start date. We talk through your approval letter and support plan first, then explain what we can deliver. Services we deliver include personal care, domestic assistance and social support. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/what-associated-provider-means-support-at-home 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What an associated provider is under the aged care rules, and how Kindora Connect delivers Support at Home through VitalCare Support. An associated provider delivers funded aged care services on behalf of a registered provider, like a subcontractor. The registered provider keeps its legal responsibilities, including making sure associated providers follow the rules. Kindora Connect is an associated provider through VitalCare Support. VitalCare Support is the registered provider and manages your budget. Kindora Connect plans and delivers your day-to-day services and is your main contact for your care.

Under the new aged care rules, you may see the term “associated provider”. It describes how some organisations deliver Support at Home services. This explainer covers what it means, what it does not mean and how it works for people who choose Kindora Connect. What is an associated provider? The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing describes an associated provider as an organisation that delivers services on behalf of a registered provider, like a subcontractor. An associated provider can be registered itself, or work in aged care only as a subcontractor. Either way, it only counts as an associated provider if it delivers government-funded aged care services. The Department gives a simple example: a gardening business that mows lawns for Support at Home participants on behalf of a registered provider is an associated provider, because gardening is on the aged care service list. Why does the arrangement exist? Registered providers do not have to deliver every service with their own staff. The associated-provider model lets them work with other organisations while keeping one clear point of legal responsibility. For older people, it can mean more choice of who actually comes to the door. Who is responsible for what? Registered providers can subcontract service delivery, but they cannot contract out their legal responsibilities. They must make sure their associated providers comply with the rules, including worker screening and record keeping, and they must tell the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission which associated providers deliver services on their behalf. Workers of an associated provider who deliver funded aged care are aged care workers under the law, and they are screened to make sure they are suitable to work in aged care. How does it work with Kindora Connect? Kindora Connect delivers Support at Home services as an associated provider through VitalCare Support. VitalCare Support is the registered provider and manages your Support at Home budget. Kindora Connect plans and delivers your day-to-day services and is your main contact for your care. For you, that usually means: you call Kindora Connect about your visits, your workers and changes to your routine Kindora Connect support workers deliver the services in your home and community your budget and statements come through the registered-provider arrangement with VitalCare Support What does it not mean? It does not make Kindora Connect the registered provider for your Support at Home services. It does not bypass the Support at Home rules. You still need an assessment and approved services. It does not confirm that a service can start. We talk through your approval and needs first. Which organisations are not associated providers? Organisations that only supply corporate services, such as training, accounting or labour hire, are not associated providers. Nor are organisations delivering services to older people that are not funded aged care services. What about sole traders and volunteers? A sole trader who delivers aged care themselves on behalf of a registered provider is treated as an aged care worker. A sole trader who employs workers to deliver care, and does not deliver care personally, is an associated provider. Volunteers can also be aged care workers and must meet the screening requirements. Can an associated provider become registered? Yes. An associated provider that wants to become a registered provider must apply to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to be registered in the right category. How is it different from the NDIS? The NDIS and Support at Home are separate programs with separate rules. For the NDIS, Kindora Connect is a Registered NDIS Provider, listed on the NDIS Commission’s provider register. For Support at Home, it is an associated provider through VitalCare Support. Our registered vs unregistered NDIS providers guide covers NDIS registration. What questions could you ask any provider? Are you a registered provider, or an associated provider? If associated, through whom? Who will I talk to day to day? Who manages my budget and sends my monthly statement? Who do I contact if I have a complaint? Free, independent advice If you have questions or concerns about your aged care, the Aged Care Advocacy Line (1800 700 600), run by the Older Persons Advocacy Network, is free, confidential and independent of providers. See also understanding Support at Home service arrangements, and our Support at Home services, including nursing care and domestic assistance. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/preparing-for-an-initial-support-discussion 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What to prepare before calling, enquiring or making a referral for NDIS or Support at Home services. A first support discussion is a two-way conversation: you learn about the provider, and the provider learns about the person. Have the basics ready: who needs support, where, what for, when, and how it will be funded. Bring your NDIS plan or Support at Home approval letter if you have one, but you do not need to send documents in advance. Write down your questions, including how workers are chosen and what happens if plans change.

The first conversation with a support provider sets the tone for everything after it. A little preparation means the call covers what matters, and you finish it knowing whether the provider is worth taking further. This guide works for both NDIS participants and older people looking at Support at Home. What is an initial support discussion? It is usually a phone call or short meeting after you enquire or make a referral. The provider asks about the person’s needs, goals and routines. You ask about how they work. Nothing is agreed on the day. It is a chance for both sides to see whether the fit is right. What details should you have ready? Keep this checklist nearby when you call: the name of the person who needs support and how they like to be contacted the suburb and the places support is needed, such as home, work or a day program the tasks or activities the support is for days and times that suit, and anything that does not how the support will be funded: an NDIS plan, a Support at Home approval, or not sure yet communication needs, such as an interpreter, hearing support or plain-language information anything important for safety, such as mobility, allergies or behaviours of concern who else should be involved, such as a family member, nominee or support coordinator Which documents are useful? For Support at Home, the assessment outcome letter and support plan list your approved services, classification and budget. For the NDIS, the plan shows your goals, budgets and how your funding is managed. Have them nearby during the call, but you do not need to send them before the first conversation. Keep private information limited Only share what is needed at this stage. Detailed medical records and reports can wait until there is a reason for them, and a secure way to share them. What questions should you ask? Do you deliver these supports in our suburb, at the times we need? How do you choose and introduce workers? Can we meet them first? What happens if a worker is sick, or if we need to cancel? How will you keep us informed, and how often will you check in? What does it cost, and how is it paid? How do we raise a concern if something is not right? The answers to many of these later go into a service agreement. The NDIS recommends one whenever you start with a new provider, covering how supports are delivered, costs, how the provider is paid, how to raise concerns and how to end the agreement. How does the conversation usually go? Introductions, and who is on the call. The person’s situation, goals and what support is for. Practical details: days, times, places and funding. Your questions about the provider. Agreed next steps, such as a meeting at home or a written proposal. If the person needing support is on the call, make sure they get space to speak. It is their support, and their preferences matter most. How can you prepare the person who needs support? If the person needing support is joining the conversation, talk it through with them beforehand. Ask what they want from support, what worries them and what they would like to ask. Some people like to write their questions down or have a family member speak for them on some topics. Let the provider know in advance if they need extra time, a quieter setting or information in a different format. What should you do after the call? write down what was discussed, including any costs and times mentioned compare what each provider offered if you spoke to more than one check the provider on the NDIS Commission’s provider register if registration matters to you note any follow-up the provider promised, and when The NDIS Commission suggests thinking about whether a provider will put you first and listen to you, and whether you can agree on the type and cost of supports. Those two questions are a good test of any first conversation. What happens after the discussion? If both sides want to go ahead, the next step is usually a meeting at home and then an agreement about the services. If not, a good provider will say so honestly, so you can look elsewhere. Our guides on what happens after an NDIS referral and understanding Support at Home service arrangements explain the steps for each program. Services people often discuss first include NDIS personal care, Support at Home personal care and transport support. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/how-family-members-can-enquire-about-support 2026-06-24T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

Guidance for family members, carers and representatives contacting Kindora Connect about support options. Family members, carers and representatives can start an enquiry, as long as the person who needs support knows and agrees. Describe the situation in plain words; you do not need to know the right program or service names. Under 65 and living with disability usually points to the NDIS. Older people usually go through My Aged Care for Support at Home. Say who is allowed to make decisions, such as an NDIS nominee or a registered supporter, and include their details.

Often it is a son, daughter, partner or friend who first notices that someone needs more help. This guide explains how family members and carers can enquire about support for a loved one, what to share, and how to work out which program applies. Can a family member enquire on someone’s behalf? Yes. Most first enquiries we receive come from family members. The one rule is consent: the person who needs support should know you are enquiring and be happy for us to contact them or you. If they cannot give consent, tell us who has the authority to make decisions for them. In the NDIS, some people have a nominee. A correspondence nominee can receive mail and make enquiries for a participant, and a child representative makes decisions for a child under 18. Include these details if they apply. In aged care, an older person can have a registered supporter. A registered supporter helps them make and communicate their own decisions about aged care, in line with what the older person wants. If that is you, mention it when you enquire. Which program applies: NDIS or Support at Home? As a rough guide, the NDIS is for people who applied before turning 65 and met its disability or early intervention requirements. Older people who need help to stay at home usually go through My Aged Care and Support at Home. If you are not sure, describe the situation and ask. We will help work out the pathway. NDIS services: support for NDIS participants, such as personal care, transport and community participation Support at Home services: in-home aged care, such as domestic assistance, personal care and social support What should you include in the enquiry? your name, and your relationship to the person the person’s name, suburb and preferred contact details the program, if known, and any NDIS number or My Aged Care reference what is happening now and what help is needed, in your own words who is allowed to make decisions, and whether the person has agreed to the enquiry the best times to call you and them Describe, don’t diagnose “Mum is struggling with showering and has stopped going to her Thursday group” is more useful than a list of service names. We will translate it into the right supports. How does it work, step by step? Talk with your family member about getting support, and check they agree to an enquiry. Call us, send the contact form, or use the referral form if you already know the program. We call back to understand the situation and explain the options. If appropriate, we arrange to meet the person, with you there if they want. Anything agreed is written down before support starts. How do you start an aged care assessment for a parent? If your parent or relative is older and needs help at home, the first step for Support at Home is an aged care assessment through My Aged Care. You can apply online, or call 1800 200 422 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm). With their agreement, you can help them apply and be there for the assessment. After approval, they receive an assessment outcome letter and support plan. Keep a copy handy: it lists the services they are approved for, which is what providers need to know. Our guide to Support at Home arrangements explains the next steps. What if you are worried about their safety? In an emergency, call 000 Our enquiry forms are not monitored around the clock. If someone is at immediate risk, call 000. For urgent but non-emergency concerns, call us and say it is urgent. What if your family member is reluctant? Accepting help can be hard, especially with personal care. It can help to start small, such as a weekly trip to the shops or help with cleaning, and let trust build. The person always keeps the right to say no, and to choose who supports them. How can carers look after themselves too? Caring is demanding. The NDIS funds short term respite so participants can have time apart from their usual carers while those carers take a break, which helps them keep caring. Support at Home also includes respite. Read about NDIS respite options, or our respite care and general respite services. If you would like to prepare for the first call, see preparing for an initial support discussion. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/support-at-home-vs-home-care-packages 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What changed when Support at Home replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025, who moved across and what stayed the same. Support at Home started on 1 November 2025. It replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. People with a Home Care Package moved across automatically, to a transitioned classification with the same funding level. Support at Home has 8 ongoing classifications with quarterly budgets, plus 3 short-term pathways. The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) continues for now: in August 2026 the government extended it to 30 June 2029.

If you, or someone you care for, had a Home Care Package, you have probably heard that things changed in November 2025. This guide explains the difference between Support at Home and Home Care Packages in plain English: what changed, who moved across, and what stayed the same. What replaced Home Care Packages? Support at Home started on 1 November 2025. It replaced two programs: the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme. The aim is to bring in-home aged care together under one program. The government set it up in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which recommended combining the in-home programs. The stated goals include better access to services, assistive technology and home modifications, and helping older people stay active and connected. What happened to people who already had a Home Care Package? Former Home Care Package recipients were automatically approved for Support at Home when it started. They moved to a transitioned Support at Home classification with the same funding level as their old package level. There are four of these, matching Home Care Package levels 1 to 4. If you had unspent Home Care Package funds, you kept them. They can be used for approved assistive technology and home modifications, or towards ongoing services once your quarterly budget is used up. On contributions, My Aged Care says people who were receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 are no worse off under Support at Home. If they were assessed as paying Home Care Package fees, they pay the same or less. What are the main differences? Levels became classifications: instead of four package levels, new approvals get one of 8 ongoing classifications. Budgets are quarterly: your annual amount is split into four quarterly budgets. Short-term pathways: there are dedicated pathways for restorative care, end-of-life care and assistive technology and home modifications. A defined service list: services are grouped into clinical supports, independence and everyday living. Contributions depend on the service: what you pay depends on the type of service and your income and assets. The three short-term pathways are the Restorative Care Pathway, the End-of-Life Pathway and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. Our guide to Support at Home classifications and budgets has the current amounts. What are the short-term pathways for? The Restorative Care Pathway offers short-term care, mainly allied health and nursing, to help you regain function and stay independent. The AT-HM scheme gives upfront funding for products, equipment and home adjustments. The End-of-Life Pathway supports people to stay at home in their last 3 months of life, and you can be referred for a high-priority assessment even if you are not already in Support at Home. How is the budget managed now? Your budget is held by Services Australia on your behalf, so you do not manage the money yourself. You can carry some unspent funds into the next quarter, capped at $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher. Your provider must give you an itemised monthly statement. For ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly budget goes towards care management, allocated to your provider. What about the Commonwealth Home Support Program? The CHSP is the entry-level program for older people who need a little help, such as domestic assistance, transport, meal delivery or social support. It did not move into Support at Home in November 2025. In August 2026 the government announced that the CHSP has been extended to 30 June 2029, and it will consult on the future of entry-level care. Do you need to do anything? If you moved across from a Home Care Package, your services should have continued. It is worth checking your monthly statements, asking your provider how your quarterly budget is being used, and asking for a reassessment if your needs have changed. If you are new to aged care, the starting point is an assessment through My Aged Care, online or on 1800 200 422. Personal care from 1 October 2026 From 1 October 2026, the government fully funds personal care under Support at Home. See our guide to Support at Home personal care being fully funded. Kindora Connect delivers Support at Home services as an associated provider through VitalCare Support, including personal care, domestic assistance and transport. Read what associated provider means. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/support-at-home-personal-care-fully-funded 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What changes when the government fully funds personal care under Support at Home from 1 October 2026, and what stays the same. From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government fully funds personal care under Support at Home. You pay no contribution for personal care delivered on or after 1 October 2026, if personal care is an approved service in your support plan. Personal care delivered before 1 October 2026 still attracts the contribution that applied at the time. Your approval, classification and budget limits still apply. Personal care still comes out of your quarterly budget.

One of the biggest changes to Support at Home since it began is the funding of personal care. This guide explains what changes on 1 October 2026, what does not, and what to check on your statements. It is written so that it makes sense whether you are reading before or after that date. What changes on 1 October 2026? From 1 October 2026, the Australian Government fully funds personal care services under Support at Home. My Aged Care says this means you can receive personal care at no out-of-pocket cost, as long as you have been approved for the personal care service type in your support plan. In technical terms, the Department says personal care moves into the clinical supports contribution category on 1 October 2026. Clinical supports, such as nursing and physiotherapy, already had no participant contribution. What counts as personal care? Personal care is help with the private, everyday tasks of looking after yourself, such as: showering, bathing and washing your hair getting dressed and undressed grooming, shaving and oral care going to the toilet and managing continence getting in and out of bed or a chair The official Support at Home service list sets out exactly what is included. If you are unsure whether a task is personal care or another service, ask your provider to show you where it sits on the list. What about services before 1 October 2026? The change is not backdated. Personal care delivered before 1 October 2026 still attracts the contribution that applied at the time, even if it appears on a statement you receive later. Personal care delivered on or after 1 October 2026 should not attract a contribution. Check your statements Your October statement may show both: a contribution for personal care in late September, and none for personal care from 1 October. If you see a personal care contribution for a date after 1 October, ask your provider about it. What does not change? You still need personal care to be an approved service in your support plan. Your classification and quarterly budget stay the same. Personal care is still paid from your budget; you just do not contribute to it. Contributions for other services, such as domestic assistance and gardening, still apply. You still choose your provider and agree with them how and when care is delivered. Other independence services, such as transport and respite, still attract a moderate contribution, and everyday living services, such as cleaning and gardening, still attract the highest. Our guide to Support at Home contributions explains how these work. Does fully funded mean unlimited? No. Personal care is paid from your quarterly budget, so using more of it leaves less for other services. If your budget is not enough for the care you need, talk to your provider about the mix of services, or ask for a reassessment. How should your provider tell you about the change? The Department has asked providers to explain the change clearly, update care plans, budgets and service information so they are consistent, and make sure monthly statements explain your services, charges and any contributions that still apply. If your provider has not talked to you about it, ask them. Where can you get independent help? If you are unsure about your statements or services, the Aged Care Advocacy Line (1800 700 600), run by the Older Persons Advocacy Network, is free, confidential and independent of providers and government. What should you do now? Check that personal care is listed as an approved service in your support plan. Read your monthly statement and confirm personal care from 1 October 2026 shows no contribution. Ask your provider whether your care plan and budget have been updated for the change. If personal care is not approved but you need it, ask about a reassessment through My Aged Care. Kindora Connect delivers personal care for older people under Support at Home as an associated provider through VitalCare Support. We can also help with nursing care and domestic assistance. See Support at Home vs Home Care Packages for the bigger picture. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/support-at-home-classifications-and-budgets 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

The 8 ongoing Support at Home classifications, current quarterly budgets, care management and the short-term pathways. Support at Home has 8 ongoing classifications. The more care you need, the higher your classification and budget. Each classification has an annual amount, split into 4 quarterly budgets. Amounts are indexed each July. For ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly budget goes to care management. There are also 3 short-term pathways: restorative care, end-of-life care, and assistive technology and home modifications.

When you are approved for Support at Home, you are given a classification. It decides how much funding you have for services each quarter. This guide explains the 8 ongoing classifications, how quarterly budgets work and the current amounts, with the date they apply from. Our plain-English glossary explains the other terms you will meet. What is a Support at Home classification? A classification is a funding level linked to how much care you need. There are 8 classifications for ongoing services. The more care you need, the higher your classification, and each one comes with a quarterly budget. Your classification is set by an aged care assessor after your assessment. It appears in your assessment outcome letter and support plan. How much is each classification worth? These are the amounts published by the Department, effective from 1 October 2026. They change each July with indexation. Classification 1: $2,757.89 a quarter ($11,031.56 a year) Classification 2: $4,120.89 a quarter ($16,483.55 a year) Classification 3: $5,645.23 a quarter ($22,580.93 a year) Classification 4: $7,632.04 a quarter ($30,528.15 a year) Classification 5: $10,202.32 a quarter ($40,809.27 a year) Classification 6: $12,365.48 a quarter ($49,461.91 a year) Classification 7: $14,944.20 a quarter ($59,776.80 a year) Classification 8: $20,073.50 a quarter ($80,294.00 a year) Check the current figures Amounts are indexed every July. For the latest figures, see the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing fact sheet or My Aged Care. What about people who had a Home Care Package? Former Home Care Package recipients moved to one of 4 transitioned classifications with the same funding level as their old package. From 1 October 2026 the quarterly budgets are $2,823.55 (level 1), $4,965.14 (level 2), $10,808.30 (level 3) and $16,385.99 (level 4). If you are reassessed, you move to one of the 8 ongoing classifications. How do quarterly budgets work? Your annual amount is split into 4 quarterly budgets, and the full quarterly amount is available at the start of each quarter. If you start part-way through a quarter, you get a pro-rata amount. Services Australia holds the budget on your behalf, so you do not manage the money yourself. You can carry unspent funds into the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher. Your provider must send you an itemised statement every month. How much goes to care management? For ongoing services, 10% of your quarterly budget goes towards care management, and is allocated to your provider. Care management includes developing and reviewing your care plan and helping manage your services. Providers can receive a supplement for extra care management if you have specific needs. What are the short-term pathways? Restorative Care Pathway: about $6,179.40 for up to 16 weeks of mainly allied health, which may be increased to about $12,358.80 if eligible. End-of-Life Pathway: about $25,736.57 for up to 16 weeks, for people with 3 months or less to live. Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme: low, medium or high funding tiers, separate from your ongoing budget. What is in your assessment outcome letter? After approval, the assessment outcome letter and support plan include a summary of your aged care needs and goals, your classification and ongoing quarterly budget, and a list of your approved services. If you are eligible for short-term supports, they also show the classification and budget for those. What happens to unspent Home Care Package funds? People who moved across from a Home Care Package kept any unspent funds. These can be used for approved assistive technology and home modifications, or towards ongoing services once the quarterly budget has been used in full. The Department says there are no caps on using these funds. How is the AT-HM scheme funded? Assistive technology and home modifications are funded upfront and separately from your ongoing budget, so you do not have to save up. My Aged Care lists funding tiers, with a high tier cap of $15,000 over 12 months. Funding can be extended by a further 12 months to finish complex home modifications, and assistance dog maintenance is funded at $2,000 a year (as published on My Aged Care, last updated 1 November 2025). What can you do if your budget is not enough? Talk to your provider about the mix of services first. Sometimes a different combination works better. If your needs have changed, you can ask for a reassessment through My Aged Care, which may lead to a higher classification. Read more in Support at Home contributions explained and Support at Home vs Home Care Packages. Kindora Connect delivers services such as domestic assistance, social support and personal care as an associated provider through VitalCare Support. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/support-at-home-contributions-explained 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

How Support at Home contributions work by service type, how your rate is set and where to get an official estimate. A contribution is the part of a service’s price you pay. The government pays the rest to your provider. How much you pay depends on the type of service (clinical, independence or everyday living) and your income and assets. Clinical supports such as nursing have no contribution. From 1 October 2026, personal care has none either. Use the official Support at Home fee estimator on My Aged Care for an estimate. This guide is general information, not financial advice.

Support at Home is government funded, but many people pay something towards some services. These payments are called contributions. This guide explains how contributions work, which services attract them and where to get an official estimate. It is general information, not personal financial advice. For words like classification and clinical supports, see our glossary of NDIS and Support at Home terms. What is a Support at Home contribution? When you receive a service, your provider charges a price. If a contribution applies, you pay part of that price and the government pays the rest to your provider. The government pays the full price of clinical supports. Which services attract a contribution? My Aged Care groups services into three types, each with a different contribution level: Clinical supports, such as nursing and physiotherapy: no contribution. These are fully funded. Independence, such as transport and respite: a moderate contribution. Everyday living, such as domestic help and gardening: the highest contribution. Personal care was an independence service with a moderate contribution. From 1 October 2026 the government fully funds it, so there is no contribution for personal care delivered from that date. See Support at Home personal care fully funded. How is your contribution rate worked out? The percentage you contribute depends on your financial situation, worked out through an income and assets assessment by Services Australia. Full pensioners make the lowest contributions. Self-funded retirees who are not eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card make the highest. If you do not give Services Australia your income and assets information, you are given a “means not disclosed” status and your contributions are set at the maximum rate. It usually pays to complete the assessment. Does it matter when you were approved? Approved for a Home Care Package or Support at Home after 12 September 2024: the standard contribution arrangements apply. Receiving, or approved for, a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024: you are no worse off under Support at Home. If you were assessed as paying Home Care Package fees, you pay the same or less. How do you get an estimate? My Aged Care has an official Support at Home fee estimator. It uses your details to estimate what you might pay. Providers also have to publish their full price list online, and the Find a provider tool lets you compare prices. Your provider must help you understand your contributions. Not financial advice This guide explains the general rules. For advice about your own finances, use the official estimator, contact Services Australia, or speak with a financial adviser. What if you cannot afford your contributions? Tell your provider early. If you are facing genuine financial hardship, you can ask to be considered for financial hardship assistance, also called a fee reduction supplement. If you are eligible, the government pays some or all of your aged care costs. My Aged Care also recommends independent financial advice before deciding how to pay for aged care. What decides the government’s share? My Aged Care says the amount the government pays depends on your classification, the supplements you are eligible for, the services, equipment and products you receive, and how much you contribute. How do provider prices affect what you pay? Each provider sets its own prices for services and care management, and these charges come out of your quarterly budget. Because a contribution is a share of the price, a higher price means a higher contribution and less budget left for other services. It is worth comparing providers, which is why they must publish their full price lists online. Can unspent budget carry over? For ongoing services, you can carry some unspent budget into the next quarter, up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget, whichever is higher. Short-term pathways work differently, and unspent funds cannot be used after their funding period ends. How do you check what you are paying? Read your monthly statement: it shows each service, its price and your contribution. Check the service type for each item, because contributions differ between types. Make sure personal care from 1 October 2026 shows no contribution. Ask your provider about anything you do not understand. For more on budgets, see Support at Home classifications and budgets. Kindora Connect delivers domestic assistance, transport and personal care as an associated provider through VitalCare Support. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/ndis-recurring-transport-funding 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

How NDIS recurring transport funding works: the three levels, what it pays for and what it cannot be used for. Recurring transport is the only category in the recurring supports budget of an NDIS plan. It helps pay for travel to work, study, day programs and community, social or recreational activities. The NDIS lists three levels: $1,784, $2,676 and $3,456 a year, depending mainly on how much you work or study. It cannot be topped up from other budgets. Support from a worker during an activity is usually funded separately.

Getting around is one of the most common barriers for NDIS participants. This guide explains NDIS transport funding: what the recurring supports budget is, the three funding levels, what the money can be used for and how it is paid. What is recurring transport funding? Every NDIS plan is organised into up to four support budgets. Recurring supports is one of them, and recurring transport is the only category in it. If you are eligible, you will see it listed in your recurring supports budget. Recurring transport helps pay for travel to and from work or study. It can also pay for getting to community activities, day programs, and other social, recreational or leisure activities. What are the three levels of transport funding? The NDIS lists three levels of recurring transport funding (as published on 25 September 2026): Level 1, community access: $1,784 a year. For participants who are not working, studying or going to day programs, but want to do more in the community. Level 2, part-time work or study: $2,676 a year. For participants working or studying part-time, up to 15 hours a week, or taking part in other social, recreational or leisure activities. Level 3, work or study: $3,456 a year. For participants working or studying, or both, at least 15 hours a week. Amounts can change Check the NDIS website or your plan for the current amounts. Your plan shows the level and amount that apply to you. How does the NDIS decide if you get it? The NDIS considers what transport help your family, carers or community networks can reasonably give when deciding whether to fund recurring transport. If you are not sure whether you could get it, talk to your my NDIS contact. How is transport funding paid? The NDIS can pay recurring transport regularly into your nominated bank account, or you can claim it through the participant portals or the my NDIS app. The NDIS says this transport can include taxis, rideshare services and other private travel. What can’t transport funding be used for? It cannot be topped up from your core or capacity building budgets. Funding can be used flexibly within a budget, but not moved between budgets. It is for your travel. It does not usually pay for a support worker’s help during the activity itself. It must be spent on NDIS supports in line with your plan. If a support worker drives you and also supports you during an appointment or activity, the time they spend supporting you is usually funded from another budget, such as core supports. The travel part and the support part are often claimed differently, so check with your provider and plan manager. How can transport funding work alongside other supports? Common combinations include: recurring transport for a weekly taxi to work, plus core supports for a worker who helps at the workplace recurring transport for trips to a day program, plus community participation support while you are there capacity building supports for travel training, so you can learn to catch a bus or train on your own Travel training is a good example of capacity building: it builds the skills to travel independently, which can reduce how much transport help you need over time. How does travel training work? Travel training means learning a route with a worker until you can do it on your own. It usually starts with the worker doing the trip with you, then staying a step behind, then meeting you at the other end. Along the way you practise buying tickets, reading timetables and knowing what to do if something goes wrong. What records should you keep? If you self-manage, you are responsible for making sure your funding is spent in line with your plan and showing how you used it when your plan ends. Keep receipts for taxis and other travel, and a simple log of trips. What should you ask a transport provider? How do you charge for travel, and is there a per-kilometre cost? Can the worker stay with me at the appointment? Can you take my wheelchair or mobility aid? What happens if I need to cancel a trip? Kindora Connect offers NDIS transport support in Adelaide, and community participation support for activities once you get there. Our how to make an NDIS referral guide explains how to get started, and the NDIS plan management options guide explains who pays providers. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/ndis-plan-management-types 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

Self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed funding compared, including which providers you can use with each. There are three NDIS plan management options: self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed. You can combine them. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can use registered and unregistered providers. NDIA-managed participants can only use registered providers. You can ask to change how your plan is managed at any time, without waiting for a new plan.

How your NDIS plan is managed decides who pays your providers, who keeps the records and which providers you can use. This guide explains the three NDIS plan management options, their pros and cons, and how to change. Terms such as nominee and plan manager are defined in our NDIS and Support at Home glossary. What are the three plan management options? The NDIS offers self-management, plan management and NDIA management. Your plan can be managed all one way, or you can combine them. For example, your core supports could be self-managed while your capital supports are NDIA-managed. What is self-managed funding? With self-managed funding, you, your nominee or your child representative manage the funding. The NDIS lists these benefits: choosing which supports you buy and who provides them using both registered and unregistered providers negotiating prices above or below the NDIS price limits employing or contracting your own staff directly You are responsible for paying providers, keeping records, making sure your funding lasts and showing how you used it. You cannot self-manage if, for example, you are an insolvent under administration, have certain criminal convictions, or the NDIA thinks it would pose an unreasonable risk to you. What is plan-managed funding? With plan-managed funding, a plan manager pays your providers and keeps the records. The NDIS includes separate funding in your plan to pay the plan manager, so it does not come out of your other supports. You can still choose registered or unregistered providers. Your plan manager must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. You are still responsible for choosing providers, making a service agreement with your plan manager, and only buying supports in line with your plan. What is NDIA-managed funding? With NDIA-managed funding, the NDIA pays your providers and keeps the records. You can choose your providers, but they must be registered. You cannot use unregistered providers for supports that are NDIA-managed. Providers claim through the NDIS portal, and the NDIA usually pays within 2 to 3 business days. If a provider that is not recorded for your plan makes a claim, the NDIA texts you to check it before paying. Which providers can you use with each option? Self-managed: registered and unregistered providers, and staff you employ directly. Plan-managed: registered and unregistered providers. NDIA-managed: registered providers only. Some supports now need a registered provider whatever the plan management type. The NDIS says all providers delivering supported independent living (SIL) must be registered from 1 July 2026. Kindora Connect is a Registered NDIS Provider, so it can be used with any of the three options. What does a plan manager do day to day? The NDIS says a plan manager will talk with you about working together, help you understand your plan and what counts as an NDIS support, and share regular statements and updates on your funding. They make sure claims match your plan and budget, which helps prevent overspending. A plan manager is different from a support coordinator: a support coordinator connects you with supports, while a plan manager keeps track of your funding. You can find a plan manager through the NDIS provider finder, advice from people you trust, or your own research. How do support budgets fit in? Every NDIS plan has up to 4 support budgets, made up of 21 support categories and hundreds of support items, each with a code and a price limit. You can usually use funding flexibly across categories within one budget, but not move it between budgets. This applies whichever plan management option you choose. How do you choose? Questions that can help: How much time and confidence do you have for paperwork and paying invoices? Do you want to use unregistered providers, or employ your own workers? Would you like someone to track your spending and send you reports? Do you want the simplest option while you get used to the NDIS? The NDIS suggests you might start with NDIA management if you are unsure, and change later. Many people find plan management a middle ground: more choice of providers, without doing the payments themselves. Can you change how your plan is managed? Yes. You can ask to change how you manage your funding at any time, and there is no limit on how often. If that is the only change, the NDIS can usually make a plan variation without a full reassessment. Keep an eye on claims Whatever option you choose, you are responsible for making sure supports are in line with your plan. You can check claims in the my NDIS app or participant portal, and call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 if something looks wrong. Kindora Connect works with self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants for supports such as personal care, household tasks and transport support. See also registered vs unregistered NDIS providers and how to make an NDIS referral. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/registered-vs-unregistered-ndis-providers 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What NDIS registration means, how it affects worker screening and which participants must use registered providers. Registered NDIS providers are registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and must meet the NDIS Practice Standards. Registered providers must make sure workers in risk-assessed roles hold an NDIS Worker Screening clearance. Unregistered providers are encouraged to, but it is not required. Every provider and worker, registered or not, must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct. NDIA-managed participants must use registered providers, and some supports, such as SIL, need a registered provider from 1 July 2026.

You will often see providers describe themselves as registered or unregistered. The difference affects safeguards, which participants can use them and which supports they can deliver. This guide explains registered vs unregistered NDIS providers, and how to check a provider’s registration yourself. What does registration mean? A registered provider has been approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. To register, a provider is assessed against the NDIS Practice Standards, which set the quality standards registered providers must meet. The standards come in modules. A core module applies to registered providers of higher-risk supports, supplementary modules apply to particular supports such as high intensity daily personal activities, and a verification module applies to lower-risk supports. What is different for workers? Registered providers must make sure that people in risk-assessed roles, including key personnel, hold an NDIS Worker Screening clearance. Unregistered providers are not legally required to, although the NDIS Commission recommends it. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can decide whether the workers who support them must hold a clearance. What applies to every provider? Every NDIS provider and worker must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, whether registered or not. It requires them to: respect people’s rights to make their own decisions respect privacy provide supports safely and competently, with care and skill act with integrity, honesty and transparency raise and act on concerns about quality and safety take reasonable steps to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, neglect, abuse and sexual misconduct not charge participants higher prices without a reasonable justification Who has to use a registered provider? Participants with NDIA-managed funding must use registered providers for those supports. From 1 July 2026, all providers delivering supported independent living (SIL) must be registered. Some supports, such as high intensity daily personal activities, need the provider to be registered for that group of supports. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can otherwise choose registered or unregistered providers. How do you check whether a provider is registered? The NDIS Commission publishes a provider register. You can search it for a provider’s name, see whether they are currently registered, and see whether a registration has been suspended or revoked. Searching with the status “Approved” shows current registrations. As an example, Kindora Connect Pty Ltd has an entry on the NDIS Commission’s provider register. Each entry shows the provider’s registration status, the period of registration and any conditions. It is worth reading the conditions on any provider you are considering. The Commission also lets you check whether a worker or provider has been banned, and the NDIA’s provider finder lets you search by location and registration group. What conditions can appear on a registration? Registrations can carry conditions set by the NDIS Commission, such as audit deadlines or extra risk checks. Kindora Connect’s own entry, for example, lists a condition to assess its supported independent living module as part of a mid-term audit, and a condition to carry out a risk assessment for participants who choose to be supported by a single worker for daily personal activities. How do you raise a concern about a provider? Start by giving feedback to the worker or provider, focusing on the issue and how it affects you. If things cannot be fixed, check your service agreement for how to end it. You can also tell the NDIS Commission if a worker or provider is not following the NDIS Code of Conduct, whether they are registered or not. What help is there for choosing workers? The NDIS Commission’s Workforce Capability Framework describes the attitudes, skills and knowledge expected of all NDIS-funded workers. It comes with tools such as a position description builder and recruitment and selection resources, which are especially useful if you self-manage and hire your own workers. Is registered always better? Not necessarily. Registration adds safeguards, such as audits against the Practice Standards and required worker screening. Many participants value that. Others choose unregistered providers or employ their own workers for flexibility. The right choice depends on the supports, the participant and how the plan is managed. Ask directly Whatever their status, ask any provider how workers are screened, trained and supervised, and how complaints are handled. Kindora Connect is a Registered NDIS Provider in Adelaide, delivering supports such as supported independent living, personal care and community nursing. See also NDIS plan management options and choosing disability support services in Adelaide. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/what-is-supported-independent-living 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

What SIL is in the NDIS, who it suits, how it is funded in general terms and what to ask a SIL provider. Supported independent living (SIL) is NDIS funding for a support worker to help or supervise you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It may suit you if you need someone with you overnight and help with daily activities for at least 8 hours a day. SIL pays for support, not housing. Rent and groceries are your own costs; specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is the housing. From 1 July 2026, all providers delivering SIL must be registered with the NDIS Commission.

Supported independent living, usually called SIL, is one of the NDIS home and living supports. It is often misunderstood because it sounds like a type of house. This guide explains what SIL is, who it is for, how it is funded in general terms, and what to ask a SIL provider. What is SIL in the NDIS? The NDIS describes SIL as funding for a support worker to help or supervise you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You might share a support worker with the people you live with, or have an individual worker, depending on how much help you need. The worker helps with, or supervises, day-to-day tasks in your home. Who is SIL for? The NDIS says SIL may be suitable if you need a support worker to: stay with you 24 hours a day, including overnight help you with daily activities for at least 8 of those hours give you some level of help or supervision for the other hours Other home and living supports may suit you better if you live alone and SIL does not meet your needs, you live with people who are not NDIS participants, or you want to manage your own supports. What is the difference between SIL and SDA? Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is the housing: homes built for people with very high support needs. SDA does not cover support workers. SIL is the funding for the support workers who help you. Some people have both SDA and SIL in their plans; many people with SIL live in ordinary rental homes. How is SIL funded? SIL funding is based on your disability support needs. It is often shared between housemates, and may be funded as one-to-one support only in limited situations. SIL cannot be used for rent or other day-to-day expenses such as groceries, which remain your own costs. If you have SIL in your plan, you may also have funding for a support coordinator to help you find providers. SIL sits alongside other supports: many people also use community participation or life skills development support during the day. Does a SIL provider need to be registered? Yes. The NDIS says all providers delivering SIL must be registered from 1 July 2026, with existing providers given until 1 October to apply. Your plan and funding do not change. If you organise or employ your own support workers, you do not need to make changes. The NDIS Commission also publishes specific Practice Standards for supported independent living, which registered SIL providers are assessed against. What does a good SIL arrangement look like? The NDIS says SIL is designed to help you live as independently as possible while building your skills. In practice, that looks like: a roster that fits the household’s routines, not the other way around consistent workers who know each person well support that builds skills, such as cooking or budgeting, rather than doing everything for people clear house agreements about shared spaces and costs regular check-ins with each resident and their family What can SIL workers help with? The NDIS gives examples of daily tasks SIL workers can help with, such as personal care, showering and getting dressed, eating and cooking meals, and household tasks like cleaning. The focus should be on building skills, so workers do things with you rather than for you wherever possible. Do you need a service agreement for SIL? The NDIS recommends a written service agreement whenever you start with a new provider, although in most cases it is not compulsory. Written agreements are only mandatory for specialist disability accommodation. With 24-hour support, a clear written agreement is worth having. If your plan includes support coordination, your support coordinator can help you compare SIL providers and become more confident managing your supports. What should you ask a SIL provider? Are you registered for SIL? Can we see your register entry? How are rosters worked out, and how are overnight shifts covered? How do you match housemates and workers? How do you build independence, not just provide care? How do you handle conflict between housemates? Who do we call after hours? Kindora Connect and SIL Kindora Connect is a Registered NDIS Provider and its registration includes supported independent living. Talk to us about your situation; we will be clear about what we can offer. Learn more on our supported independent living page, or read registered vs unregistered NDIS providers and choosing disability support services in Adelaide. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/ndis-respite-options 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

Short term respite, in-home respite and community respite in the NDIS: what each covers and what respite cannot pay for. Respite gives participants time apart from their usual care arrangements while carers take a break, helping carers keep caring. Short-term accommodation is now called short term respite in the NDIS. It is usually funded for up to 28 days a year. Respite can also be a support worker at home or in the community, funded from core supports. Respite funding cannot pay for holidays, cruises, theme parks or travel costs.

Carers do an enormous amount, and everyone needs a break. The NDIS funds several kinds of respite, and the names have recently changed. This guide explains the main NDIS respite options, what each covers and what it cannot be used for. What is respite in the NDIS? In NDIS terms, respite gives a participant time apart from their usual care arrangements while their family, friends or carers take a short break. The NDIS says the purpose is to help those informal supports keep going in their caring role. What is short term respite? Short term respite is the NDIS’s new name for what was called short-term accommodation. The NDIS says the new name focuses on the support provided, whether it happens at home or in a shared setting, rather than on the accommodation. The NDIS may fund short term respite if you live with your main informal supports, or get daily drop-in support, and they give you more than 6 hours of disability-related support a day. It: is usually funded for up to 28 days a year can be used flexibly, such as a block of up to 14 days, or one weekend a month covers the supports you usually need, such as help with showering, cooking and toileting can include standard accommodation, or support to stay in your own home or a homestay if you usually need overnight support What is in-home and community respite? Not all respite involves staying somewhere else. The NDIS notes that a support worker at home, or community and mainstream supports, may be other options. A worker might stay with the participant for an afternoon while a parent attends an appointment, or take them to a regular activity so the carer has a few hours to themselves. This is usually funded from core supports. Kindora Connect offers in-home and community respite care for NDIS participants in Adelaide. Talk to us about the times you need. What can’t respite funding pay for? cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation and airfares passports, visas, or travel and vehicle insurance accommodation or travel for family members or workers supporting you on holiday theme parks, concerts, theatre, cinema, sporting events and conferences Short term respite also does not replace normal time apart, such as school, work or community activities, or other services such as crisis accommodation. Where can short term respite happen? The NDIS says you can use short term respite in your own home, or in a shared or individual accommodation setting. It should generally be used in your home state or territory, although it may be funded elsewhere if you live in a remote area. How do you ask for respite in your plan? Talk to your my NDIS contact if you think you need short term respite in your plan. If your plan does not include the support you need, or your situation has changed, you can ask to change it. Once funded, you should only pay for the supports you actually use, and make the funding last for the length of your plan. What does in-home respite look like in practice? A good in-home respite visit feels like an ordinary day for the participant. Before the first visit, the worker learns the routine, favourite activities and what helps if the person becomes upset. Many families start with a short visit while they are still at home, then build up to longer breaks once everyone is comfortable. What about respite for children? The NDIS may fund short term respite for participants under 18 when their disability-related support needs are more than is typical for their age, and a break will help the family keep caring. It does not replace normal parenting, such as helping a young child settle to sleep or babysitting. How do you plan respite well? Start small: a few hours of in-home support can build trust before a longer break. Write down routines, preferences and anything that helps the participant feel settled. Plan ahead, because respite funding needs to last the whole plan. Tell your my NDIS contact if your situation changes, such as a carer becoming unwell. Older carers and aged care If the person you care for is older and uses Support at Home, respite is also part of that program. See our general respite page. Related guides: how family members can enquire about support and NDIS plan management options. You might also look at community participation support. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/ndis-high-intensity-supports-explained 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

The 8 high intensity daily personal activities, what registration means for providers and what to ask before support starts. High intensity daily personal activities are complex, health-related supports that need specific worker skills and training. The NDIS Commission lists 8 activities, from complex bowel care to ventilator management. Providers must be registered for this group of supports, and can only deliver the activities listed on their certificate of registration. Workers should be trained for each participant’s needs, often by an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Some participants need daily support that is closely tied to their health, such as help with a feeding tube, a catheter or a ventilator. The NDIS calls these high intensity daily personal activities. This guide explains the 8 activities, what registration means for providers and what to ask before support starts. What are high intensity daily personal activities? They are daily personal supports that carry more risk and need specific skills. The NDIS Commission requires providers supporting participants with these needs to make sure their workers have the skills and knowledge set out in the high intensity support skills descriptors. What are the 8 high intensity activities? The NDIS Commission lists these activities: Complex bowel care: support for people whose bowel care needs are beyond routine assistance. Enteral feeding and management: feeding through a tube, such as a naso-gastric tube, and managing the equipment. Severe dysphagia management: supporting people who have serious difficulty swallowing, including how food and fluids are prepared. Tracheostomy management: caring for a tracheostomy, the opening in the neck that helps someone breathe. Urinary catheter management: including in-dwelling, in-out and suprapubic catheters. Ventilator management: supporting someone who uses a ventilator to breathe. Subcutaneous injections: giving injections under the skin, as prescribed. Complex wound management: caring for wounds that need more than simple first aid. Definitions, not a list of our services This list explains the terms. Kindora Connect’s high intensity personal care page explains how we approach this support; ask us which activities we can deliver for you. What does registration mean for these supports? To be registered for the high intensity daily personal activities group (registration group 104), a provider is assessed against a supplementary module of the NDIS Practice Standards. Registered providers can only deliver the specific high intensity activities set out in their certificate of registration. It is reasonable to ask a provider which activities are on theirs. How should workers be trained? The Commission expects workers to be trained for each participant’s specific needs, where relevant by an appropriately qualified health practitioner or someone who meets the skills descriptor. Training for one person’s catheter care does not automatically cover another person’s. What should a support plan include? The Practice Standards set out what good support looks like. For each activity, they expect that: the participant is involved in assessing their needs and writing their plan with consent, a qualified health practitioner reviews their health regularly the plan says how risks, incidents and emergencies will be managed the provider has policies, procedures and a training plan for the workers involved What does good severe dysphagia support look like? For severe dysphagia, the Practice Standards expect providers to identify every participant who needs this support, and to have their needs assessed by qualified health practitioners, with regular reviews if needs change or difficulties are noticed. The participant helps write their plan, which records their needs and preferences for food, fluids, preparation techniques and feeding equipment, and how risks, incidents and emergencies will be handled. What about enteral feeding? For enteral feeding, the aim is that each participant receives the nutrition, fluids and medication they need. Workers should be trained for the specific participant, including the type and method of feeding and the feeding regime, by an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Can family members be trained too? Sometimes. The NDIS explains that a support worker, family member or friend may be able to provide some disability-related health supports, as long as they are trained by an appropriately qualified health professional, for that task and specifically for the person. For example, a registered nurse can train a worker or family member to help prevent pressure sores and wounds. How is it different from community nursing? Some high intensity activities are delivered by trained support workers as part of daily personal support. Others, or more complex parts of them, need a nurse. The NDIS funds disability-related health supports that may be delivered by either, depending on the task and risk. See our community nursing page for nurse-led care. What should you ask a provider? Is this activity listed on your certificate of registration? Who trains your workers for my specific needs, and how often is training refreshed? Who reviews my plan, and how often? What happens in an emergency, and who is on call? How will you make sure a trained worker covers leave and sick days? Related reading: registered vs unregistered NDIS providers and what is supported independent living. For everyday routines, see NDIS personal care. https://kindoraconnect.com.au/resources/ndis-and-support-at-home-glossary 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30 2026-09-25T00:00:00+09:30

Plain-English definitions of common NDIS and aged care terms, from access request to support plan. Plain-English definitions of common NDIS and Support at Home (aged care) terms, in alphabetical order. Each term has its own link, so you can share or bookmark a single definition. Definitions are general. For official wording, check ndis.gov.au, myagedcare.gov.au or health.gov.au.

Disability and aged care come with a lot of jargon. This glossary explains the NDIS and Support at Home terms you are most likely to meet in plans, letters and conversations with providers. Terms from both programs are listed together; where a term belongs to one program, the definition says so. How to use this glossary If a word you need is missing, call us and ask. For more detail on the big topics, see our guides to NDIS plan management options and Support at Home classifications and budgets. Glossary of terms