What Does the NDIS Cover — and What It Doesn't?

"Does the NDIS cover…?" is one of the most common questions families ask — about cleaning, autism, ADHD, dementia, therapy, and everything in between. The good news is that once you understand the one underlying rule the NDIS uses, most of those questions become much easier to answer for your own situation. This is a plain-English guide from an independent support worker's point of view.

Quick note: this is general information, not advice, and NDIS rules are changing through 2026–2028. Whether something is funded always depends on the individual's plan and circumstances. Always check the official source, ndis.gov.au, or ask your planner or Local Area Coordinator. I'm a non-clinical support worker, not an NDIS planner.

The one rule: "reasonable and necessary"

Almost every "does the NDIS cover X?" question comes down to a single test. The NDIS funds supports that are "reasonable and necessary" and related to a person's permanent, significant disability. In practice, a support is more likely to be funded when it:

• relates directly to the person's disability (not a need everyone has);
• helps them do everyday things, build skills, or take part in the community;
• represents value for money and is effective; and
• isn't something another system (like health or education) is responsible for.

So the question is rarely "does the NDIS cover [a diagnosis]?" — it's "is this particular support reasonable, necessary, and disability-related for this person?"

What the NDIS generally funds

Funded supports usually fall into three buckets:

• Core supports — everyday assistance: a support worker, help getting out into the community, help with daily tasks, and transport. (More in our guide to NDIS core supports.)
• Capacity building — supports that build skills and independence over time, including some disability-related therapies. (See what capacity building means.)
• Capital — higher-cost items like assistive technology and home modifications.

What the NDIS generally does NOT fund

It helps to know the common "out of scope" categories:

• Everyday living costs everyone has — rent, groceries, ordinary utility bills.
• Health and medical care — GP and hospital visits, medications, and clinical treatment. That's the health system's job, not the NDIS.
• Supports another system is responsible for — for example, the education system for a child's schooling.
• Things unrelated to the disability, or that aren't value for money.

Common "does the NDIS cover…?" questions

Does the NDIS cover autism?

Autistic people can be eligible for the NDIS, but it isn't automatic based on a diagnosis alone. Access depends on showing a substantially reduced functional capacity — in areas like communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management — and a likely lifelong need for support. A Level 2 or 3 diagnosis is strong evidence; a Level 1 diagnosis usually needs detailed documentation of functional impact. Note that arrangements for young children are changing (for example, the new "Thriving Kids" supports from late 2026, and access changes from 2028), so check current rules for a child.

Does the NDIS cover ADHD?

Usually not on its own. An ADHD diagnosis by itself doesn't typically meet the NDIS access rules, because the test is permanent, substantial impairment to everyday functioning — and where ADHD is well managed, it may not reach that threshold. ADHD is more likely to be considered when it co-occurs with another primary disability (such as autism or intellectual disability) and there's clear evidence of significant, lasting functional impact. It always comes down to individual assessment, not the label. (If ADHD support is funded, the everyday, non-clinical side is exactly what I help with — see ADHD support in Perth.)

Does the NDIS cover dementia?

It depends on age. Younger-onset dementia (under 65) can be eligible for the NDIS. For people 65 and over, support at home generally comes through the aged-care system instead (the Support at Home program). Our guide to dementia support at home walks through the non-clinical side either way.

Does the NDIS cover cleaning and household tasks?

Often, yes — but with a catch. The NDIS can fund help with household tasks a person can't do because of their disability (things like cleaning, laundry or meal prep), usually as part of daily-living support. What it won't do is fund general cleaning that anyone would need regardless of disability. The test, again, is whether the help is disability-related.

Does the NDIS cover a support worker to get out and about?

Yes — this is core support territory, and it's what I do. Help with getting out into the community, activities, appointments and everyday companionship is commonly funded where it relates to the person's disability and goals.

Does the NDIS cover therapy or psychology?

Sometimes. The NDIS can fund disability-related therapies as capacity building — for example allied health that builds a person's skills and independence. What it doesn't cover is clinical medical treatment, including general mental-health treatment, which is the health system's responsibility. The line is "is this building disability-related capacity, or is it clinical treatment?"

Where I fit — and choosing your own worker

Once supports are funded, you often have a choice about who provides them. If a plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you can usually choose your own support worker — including an independent one like me — rather than being limited to a big agency's roster. Our guide on self-managed vs plan-managed explains the difference. Through Samuel G Support I provide reliable, non-clinical support and companionship — not therapy, personal care or clinical services.

How to find out for your situation

1. Check the official source. ndis.gov.au has current rules on what is and isn't a funded support, and eligibility.
2. Ask your planner or Local Area Coordinator — they can tell you what applies to a specific plan.
3. Look at the plan's goals. Supports are funded to help meet the goals written into a person's plan — our guide to how the NDIS works is a good starting point.