Lawn or garden maintenance is a regular household chore, which is required for an aesthetic and functional home exterior. Gardens, lawns, and outdoor areas play a role in the independence and mobility of your family members. However, for people living with special needs, this can be tough, if not overwhelming. A common question that arises here is “Will it be covered by the NDIS?” The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might expect.
While under the scheme, an NDIS support worker in Sydney can be assigned, you must understand the circumstances under which this can be made possible. Not all houses need lawn or garden maintenance that can be deemed as “reasonable and necessary.” Hence, not every household would qualify for the required support. Only if you’re an eligible NDIS participant with “lawn maintenance” clearly mentioned in your plan will you be assigned the required help.
What Does NDIS Consider Necessary?
The NDIS holds the right to determine if lawn or garden maintenance is “reasonable” and “necessary” for the upliftment and independence of the participants. The NDIS funds support that are directly related to a participant’s special needs and is essential for daily living. These are services that help your loved ones to maintain safety, accessibility, and independence.
For example, if mowing your lawn or clearing garden pathways ensures you can move around safely without risk of falls, this may be considered “reasonable and necessary”. On the contrary, if you want the services for purely aesthetic purposes, such as landscaping, planting flowers, or decorative gardening, then it will not be carried out by an NDIS service provider in Sydney.
When is Lawn or Garden Maintenance Covered?
The NDIS covers tasks that keep your outside lawn or yard safe and accessible for participants with mobility restrictions or other special needs.
This includes:
- Mowing lawns (prevent hazards and mobility barriers)
- Clear pathways and driveways (move safely with the help of mobility equipment)
- Green waste and rubbish removal (promote safe access in and around the home)
- Pruning trees and hedges (check the overgrowth of shrubs that could cause safety risks)
- These services are usually considered part of “Household Tasks Assistance” under the Core Supports budget. If you are unable to complete them due to different abilities, they can often be included in your plan.
What is Typically Not Covered?
It’s important to understand the boundaries of NDIS funding. The NDIS usually does not cover services that fall under routine home ownership responsibilities.
For instance:
- Garden design or landscaping projects
- Installing water features or decorative plants
- Regular gardening for aesthetic purposes only
How to Access Lawn or Garden Support?
If you believe that you or your loved ones can benefit from lawn or garden maintenance under the NDIS, get in touch with your support coordinator or local area coordinator. You can also reach out to us to help you with this process.
Once the support coordinator or NDIS planner can show these tasks directly to your disability, your case will be considered. If this support is decided to be outlined in your NDIS plan, you can approach an NDIS lawn maintenance provider in Sydney to assign support workers for light gardening services.
So, are you in the lookout for an NDIS provider who can help you with local gardening needs, like mowing, pruning, and clearing pathways? You have found us.
Contact All Age Care Services for Lawn Maintenance
Call 0451 569 943 to clearly communicate your needs, while we assign friendly support workers to maintain a safe and accessible garden.
