COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Assisting NDIS Participants with Household Tasks & Assistive Products course. This program has been developed to strengthen your practical knowledge, ethical understanding, and person-centred skills required to support NDIS participants in managing everyday household activities. Clean, safe, and functional home environments are fundamental to health, wellbeing, and independence. By combining physical support with the use of assistive technologies, you can play a critical role in helping individuals with disability maintain dignity and control over their living spaces.

Support for household tasks is a key area under the NDIS, designed to assist participants who may be unable to perform certain domestic duties due to disability-related functional limitations. This course begins by introducing the purpose and scope of household task supports, as defined by the NDIS. It explains the responsibilities of support workers in this context, reinforces the importance of safe and sanitary living environments, and highlights how routine tasks—when delivered respectfully—contribute to a participant’s overall wellbeing and independence.

Meal preparation is one of the most vital daily tasks requiring a combination of skill, sensitivity, and attention to dietary requirements. This section covers how to plan and prepare nutritious meals tailored to medical, cultural, or personal needs, and how to maintain high standards of food hygiene. It also explores how to coordinate external meal delivery services where required, ensuring consistency with participants’ goals and dietary preferences.

Maintaining a clean and organised home is essential for safety and comfort. This section outlines the various cleaning and maintenance tasks that support workers may assist with, from vacuuming and mopping to helping declutter shared spaces. It also addresses the importance of identifying maintenance concerns—such as broken fixtures or hazards—and ensuring timely reporting or escalation to prevent safety risks.

Laundry and linen support ensures that participants can maintain personal hygiene and comfort in their home environment. This section explores how to assist with washing, drying, folding, and ironing, while also helping participants organise wardrobes and store items in a way that promotes accessibility and ease of use. Emphasis is placed on respecting personal belongings and offering discreet, respectful assistance.

Outdoor spaces also require attention, particularly for participants living in detached or semi-detached homes. This section explains how to support participants with basic gardening tasks and ensure outdoor areas are safe, well-maintained, and accessible. It also provides guidance on when and how to coordinate professional services for larger or specialised maintenance needs.

Support must always be tailored to the individual. This section discusses how to personalise household assistance in accordance with participant preferences, cultural or religious practices, and physical capacity. It highlights the importance of promoting autonomy and encouraging participants to participate in routines as much as possible to foster dignity, independence, and routine familiarity.

Risk awareness is critical in domestic environments. This section provides an overview of common hazards related to household tasks—such as slip risks, sharp tools, or chemical exposure—and outlines how to identify, report, and mitigate these risks. It also introduces emergency response procedures and first aid principles that support workers must understand when delivering domestic supports.

Effective communication ensures participants feel respected and informed. This section covers how to engage in clear, open dialogue with participants about their household needs, preferences, and expectations. It also explains how to collaborate with families and team members, maintain records of supports delivered, and escalate concerns or changes in participant needs appropriately.

Beyond direct support, household tasks can be an opportunity to build participant capacity. This section examines how to foster independence by teaching or guiding participants through basic tasks at their own pace. It outlines how to establish realistic goals, provide step-by-step coaching, and acknowledge progress to build confidence and reinforce skill development.

All support must be grounded in professional conduct. This section explores the ethical obligations of support workers entering and working within private homes, including respecting participant privacy, maintaining clear professional boundaries, and following NDIS codes of conduct. It also examines scenarios that may challenge professional judgement and how to respond appropriately.

Assistive products can enhance a participant’s ability to complete tasks independently or with minimal support. This section introduces the broad range of assistive technologies available for domestic use, from adaptive utensils to ergonomic cleaning tools. It provides guidance on how to assess a product’s suitability for a specific participant and how to remain informed about new technologies and advancements.

Kitchen-based assistive devices can significantly improve safety and ease in food preparation. This section explores a variety of tools—such as adaptive knives, cutting boards with stabilisers, and easy-grip utensils—that support participants with physical limitations. It also includes how to introduce and train participants in the safe, effective use of kitchen appliances designed for accessibility.

Cleaning and laundry aids can reduce physical strain and increase task efficiency. This section introduces accessible equipment such as lightweight vacuums, long-handled cleaning tools, and front-loading washers. It also explains how to evaluate the ergonomic value of each product and how to implement these tools within the participant’s household routines.

Accessibility is often improved through targeted home modifications. This section outlines practical changes to the home—such as grab rails, lever-style taps, or height-adjustable shelving—that support independent living. It highlights the importance of ensuring modifications meet Australian safety standards and are appropriate to the participant’s long-term needs and mobility.

Selecting and prescribing the right assistive products requires a coordinated approach. This section describes how to conduct formal assessments, document functional limitations, and collaborate with allied health professionals such as occupational therapists. It also covers the documentation requirements and procedures for obtaining approval and funding through the NDIS for assistive technologies.

Once approved, the correct delivery and installation of assistive products is essential. This section outlines how to coordinate procurement, manage delivery schedules, and ensure equipment is safely installed in the participant’s home. It also includes strategies for supporting the participant during this transition and explaining how to use the product in a practical, clear, and empowering manner.

Effective use of assistive equipment requires training and support. This section provides strategies for designing and delivering hands-on instruction tailored to the participant’s learning style. It also highlights the importance of involving carers or family members in the training process, providing written guides, and offering ongoing follow-up to address any emerging questions or difficulties.

Ongoing functionality of assistive products depends on proper maintenance. This section details how to develop maintenance schedules, manage consumables (such as batteries or filters), and identify when items require repair or replacement. It also introduces simple systems to help participants or their support networks request technical assistance or replacements when needed.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical competencies required to support NDIS participants with essential household tasks and assistive technologies. Your role will contribute to cleaner, safer, and more empowering home environments where participants can live with dignity, comfort, and growing independence.

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 Household Task Supports

·       Understanding the role of support workers in assisting with household tasks

·       Overview of NDIS guidelines for household task assistance

·       Importance of maintaining a safe and healthy home environment

2. Meal Preparation and Delivery

·       Planning and preparing meals according to dietary requirements

·       Ensuring food safety and hygiene during meal preparation

·       Coordinating meal delivery services when necessary

3. Cleaning and House Maintenance

·       Assisting with routine cleaning tasks

·       Supporting participants with organising and decluttering their living spaces

·       Identifying and reporting maintenance issues within the home

4. Laundry and Linen Services

·       Washing, drying, and folding clothes and linens

·       Assisting with ironing and garment care

·       Organising wardrobes and storage for ease of access

5. Yard and Garden Maintenance

·       Supporting basic gardening tasks

·       Ensuring outdoor areas are safe and accessible

·       Coordinating professional services for extensive maintenance needs

6. Personalising Support Services

·       Tailoring household assistance to individual participant needs and preferences

·       Respecting cultural, religious, and personal practices in household tasks

·       Encouraging participant involvement and choice in daily routines

7. Safety and Risk Management

·       Identifying potential hazards in the home environment

·       Implementing strategies to minimise risks during household tasks

·       Training in emergency response procedures related to household incidents

8. Communication and Collaboration

·       Maintaining clear communication with participants regarding household tasks

·       Collaborating with families and other support workers for consistent service delivery

·       Documenting services provided and reporting any concerns appropriately

9. Building Participant Capacity

·       Encouraging skill development in household tasks for increased independence

·       Providing guidance and support for participants to undertake tasks themselves

·       Setting achievable goals and celebrating progress in skill acquisition

10. Ethical and Professional Considerations

·       Understanding boundaries and maintaining professionalism in participants' homes

·       Respecting privacy and confidentiality during service provision

·       Adhering to NDIS Code of Conduct and organisational policies

11. Overview of Assistive Products for Household Tasks

·       Understanding the range of assistive products available for household tasks

·       Assessing the suitability of products for individual participant needs

·       Staying informed about emerging technologies and innovations

12. Assistive Products for Food and Drink Preparation

·       Identifying tools that aid in meal preparation

·       Evaluating appliances designed for ease of use by individuals with disabilities

·       Training participants in the safe and effective use of kitchen assistive devices

13. Assistive Products for Cleaning and Laundry

·       Exploring equipment that facilitates cleaning tasks

·       Assessing laundry aids such as front-loading machines and folding devices

·       Implementing solutions to reduce physical strain during household chores

14. Home Modifications for Accessibility

·       Upgrading or modifying standard household items to include accessibility features

·       Installing fixtures like grab rails, lever taps, and adjustable shelving

·       Ensuring modifications meet safety standards and participant requirements

15. Assessment and Prescription of Assistive Products

·       Conducting comprehensive assessments to determine appropriate assistive products

·       Collaborating with occupational therapists and other professionals for prescriptions

·       Documenting assessments and obtaining necessary approvals for funding

16. Delivery and Setup of Assistive Products

·       Coordinating the procurement and delivery of assistive equipment

·       Ensuring proper installation and setup within the participant's home

·       Providing initial demonstrations and usage instructions

17. Training and Support for Product Use

·       Offering hands-on training sessions for participants and their support networks

·       Developing user manuals and instructional materials tailored to individual needs

·       Providing ongoing support to address questions and challenges in product use

18. Maintenance and Consumables Management

·       Establishing maintenance schedules for assistive products to ensure longevity

·       Managing the supply of spare parts and consumable items specific to each product

·       Setting up systems for participants to request repairs or replacements as needed

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”.