It's one of the most common questions we hear: Can the NDIS nursing services actually pay for a nurse to come to my home? The short answer is yes in the right circumstances. This article explains when nursing is funded, which budget it usually comes from, and where the NDIS ends and Medicare begins.
When the NDIS funds nursing at home
The NDIS can fund nursing where the care relates to your disability and isn't the ordinary responsibility of the health system. Disability-related nursing delivered by enrolled nurses, registered nurses or nurse practitioners can be funded when it addresses health needs that go beyond general medical care.
In practice, that often looks like ongoing support to manage continence, wounds, medications or a stable long-term condition at home because of your disability, and in a safe manner, to reduce hospitalisation.
When it's Medicare's job, not the NDIS
The NDIS won't fund items that are not directly related to your disability, the health system takes over. General practitioner visits, hospital treatment, specialist appointments and acute medical care all sit with Medicare and the public health system. Most providers would be able to help you differentiate between the two. T
Which NDIS budget pays for a nurse?
This depends on the type of nursing. Personal care nursing activities are commonly drawn from your Core budget, while some disability-related nursing and capacity-building supports are under Improved Daily Living. If you're not sure which applies, your support coordinator or planner can confirm or we can help you work it out.
What about 24/7 or around-the-clock care?
Some participants need a high level of support, including overnight care. Whether that's delivered as nursing, as Supported Independent Living, or as a combination depends entirely on your assessed needs and your plan. Since round-the-clock arrangements are individual and detailed, it's best to talk these through directly rather than assume from a general guide.
How to find out what you are funded for?
The answer is no one can determine this, whether nursing is funded in your plan is decided by the NDIA based on your circumstances. What you can do is check your plan with your support coordinator or have a conversation with a provider who can explain your plan to you and explain the options.
FAQs
Can I get a nurse every day through the NDIS?
Possibly, if daily nursing is reasonable and necessary for your disability-related needs. Frequency is set during the time of assessment and plan funding.
Will the NDIS pay for nursing after I leave the hospital?
The NDIS may fund disability-related nursing at home, but immediate post-hospital medical care is generally a health-system responsibility. The boundary depends on the specifics, ask your planner.
Do I need to be plan- or self-managed to get nursing?
Nursing care can be provided to both plan-managed and self-managed plans
Can my support workers do nursing tasks instead?
No. Specific nursing tasks can only be performed by Registered nurses. Some tasks can be delegated to trained support workers under registered-nurse supervision. However most nursing tasks are performed by specialist nurses, in conjunction with the plan. An assessment determines what's appropriate.