COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Best Practice in Cleaning NDIS Participants' Homes course. This program is designed to equip disability support workers and cleaning professionals with the essential skills, knowledge, and standards required to provide safe, respectful, and effective cleaning services in the homes of NDIS participants.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic home is critical not only for comfort but also for the health, wellbeing, and independence of individuals living with disability. This course begins by highlighting the importance of cleaning in disability support, explains relevant NDIS standards, and clarifies the role of support workers in fostering safe and supportive home environments.
Health and safety must always be prioritised during cleaning tasks. This section introduces common cleaning-related hazards and teaches how to use equipment and chemicals safely. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and good hygiene practices are reinforced to prevent harm to both workers and participants.
Effective cleaning begins with respectful communication. This section emphasises the importance of seeking permission before beginning tasks, understanding participant preferences, and clearly explaining cleaning activities without overstepping personal boundaries or autonomy.
Different surfaces require different techniques. This section provides practical guidance for cleaning hard floors, carpets, walls, windows, and blinds, ensuring that all surfaces are maintained safely and appropriately, with care for different materials and household layouts.
Kitchens are high-risk areas for hygiene. This section covers how to clean countertops, sinks, and appliances, manage food waste safely, and prevent cross-contamination in food preparation zones—vital for participants’ health and safety.
Bathrooms demand particular attention to hygiene. This section addresses the cleaning and disinfecting of toilets, sinks, and showers, outlines strategies to prevent mould and mildew, and covers the safe disposal of bathroom waste to maintain sanitary conditions.
Living areas and bedrooms must be clean and comfortable. This section explores best practices for dusting, vacuuming, laundering linens, and keeping spaces organised to promote wellbeing and reduce hazards in frequently used areas.
Laundry tasks are often included in support roles. This section guides workers in sorting, washing, and drying clothing, addressing stains, and properly folding and storing laundry while maintaining hygienic and efficient practices.
Cleaning in shared living environments presents unique challenges. This section outlines approaches to managing group cleaning duties, resolving conflicts, and maintaining fairness and consistency in shared areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Infection control is a core aspect of NDIS home cleaning. This section highlights infection risks, details disinfection of high-touch areas, and outlines steps to prevent the spread of illnesses in participant homes, especially among those with compromised health.
Support must be tailored to individual needs. This section teaches how to adapt cleaning for participants with mobility limitations, sensory processing issues, and respiratory concerns, ensuring comfort, safety, and dignity are upheld at all times.
Sometimes, emergency cleaning is required. This section prepares workers to respond to urgent situations such as spills, bodily fluids, water damage, or pest infestations, including how to safely manage biohazards with minimal disruption to participants.
Effective waste management contributes to safety and sustainability. This section explains how to segregate and dispose of general and hazardous waste, apply recycling practices, and manage sharp objects or chemical disposal in line with guidelines.
Respect and dignity must underpin all cleaning tasks. This section provides strategies for cleaning in intimate spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms, how to minimise intrusion, and how to respect cultural, personal, and religious preferences.
Manual handling and physical safety are essential for worker wellbeing. This section teaches safe techniques for lifting, bending, and reaching, and encourages the use of equipment to reduce strain and prevent injury during physical cleaning tasks.
Support workers play a key role in identifying household risks. This section explores how to recognise unsafe or unclean environments, report concerns like mould or infestations, and follow procedures for escalating issues in accordance with organisational policy.
Accurate documentation ensures transparency and safety. This section guides workers in recording completed tasks, reporting hazards or maintenance needs, and meeting NDIS documentation requirements with clarity and professionalism.
By the end of this course, you will be confident in applying best practices for cleaning NDIS participants’ homes, promoting hygiene, safety, respect, and participant choice—while meeting the standards required by the NDIS and broader community expectations.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to NDIS Home Cleaning
- Understanding the importance of home cleaning in disability support
- NDIS standards and compliance for home cleaning
- Role of support workers in maintaining a clean and safe home environment
2. Health and Safety in Cleaning
- Identifying and mitigating cleaning-related hazards
- Safe use of cleaning equipment and chemicals
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene practices
3. Communication and Consent in Home Cleaning
- Asking Before You Act: Gaining Participant Permission
- Discussing Preferences and Individual Needs
- Explaining What You’re Doing Without Overstepping
4. Cleaning Techniques for Different Surfaces
- Cleaning hard floors (tiles, wood, laminate)
- Cleaning carpets and rugs
- Cleaning walls, windows, and blinds
5. Kitchen Cleaning Best Practices
- Cleaning countertops, sinks, and appliances
- Safe handling and disposal of food waste
- Preventing cross-contamination in food preparation areas
6. Bathroom Cleaning Best Practices
- Cleaning and disinfecting toilets, sinks, and showers
- Preventing mould and mildew growth
- Safe disposal of bathroom waste
7. Bedroom and Living Area Cleaning
- Dusting and vacuuming furniture and surfaces
- Changing and laundering bed linens
- Organising and decluttering living spaces
8. Laundry Best Practices
- Sorting, washing, and drying clothes and linens
- Stain removal techniques
- Folding, ironing, and storing laundry
9. Cleaning in Shared Living Spaces
- Managing cleaning responsibilities in group homes
- Addressing conflicts related to cleaning
- Ensuring fairness and consistency in shared spaces
10. Infection Control and Hygiene
- Understanding infection risks in home cleaning
- Disinfection protocols for high-touch areas
- Preventing the spread of infectious diseases
11. Cleaning for Participants with Specific Needs
- Adapting cleaning practices for participants with mobility issues
- Cleaning for participants with sensory sensitivities
- Cleaning for participants with respiratory conditions
12. Emergency Cleaning Situations
- Responding to spills, accidents, and biohazards
- Cleaning after floods or water damage
- Managing pest infestations
13. Waste Management and Disposal
- Segregating and disposing of waste safely
- Recycling practices for NDIS homes
- Managing hazardous waste (e.g., sharps, chemicals)
14. Maintaining Privacy, Dignity and Respect
- Working in Personal Spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms)
- Minimising Intrusion While Cleaning
- Respecting Cultural and Personal Boundaries
15. Manual Handling and Safe Body Mechanics
- Lifting, Bending, and Reaching Safely During Cleaning
- Using Aids and Equipment to Reduce Strain
- Preventing Injury While Performing Domestic Tasks
16. Recognising and Reporting Hazards in the Home
- Identifying Unsafe or Unclean Conditions
- Responding to Mould, Pests, or Unsanitary Environments
- Reporting Risks in Line with Organisational Policies
17. Documentation and Reporting
- Recording cleaning tasks and incidents
- Reporting maintenance issues or hazards
- Complying with NDIS documentation requirements
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.