The NDIA supports providers through sharing advice relating to COVID-19 that may affect their business.
Providers are encouraged to regularly check the Department of Health and Aged Care for the latest advice, including specific advice for the disability sector.
The NDIS National Quality and Safeguards Commission also provides regular advice and alerts for registered NDIS providers about COVID-19.
Please refer to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and the COVID Addendum for information about temporary measures, including eligibility conditions, dates and locations.
The NDIA monitors all temporary COVID-19 supports and regularly updates the COVID Addendum to assist participants and providers.
All provider claims are subject to the NDIS financial obligations and NDIA payment assurance processes.
Provider obligations
Providers are expected to continue delivering supports to NDIS participants to meet their needs.
The NDIS National Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) provides regular advice to registered NDIS providers and Provider Alerts that include important information about COVID-19.
Providers are required to notify the NDIS Commission:
- if a support worker or NDIS participant is confirmed to have COVID-19
- if there are changes to the scale of their operations
- any other changes related to COVID-19.
Providers can do this by completing their Notification of event – COVID-19 (registered provider) form on the NDIS Commission's website or phoning 1800 035 544.
Providers should refer to the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators to ensure they are prepared.
Disability worker COVID-19 leave grant
The Disability worker leave grant will help disability workers who are unwell with COVID-19 and unable to provide supports to participants. Eligible disability workers with no leave entitlements will receive flat rates of:
- $450 for workers who have lost at least 8 to 20 hours of work.
- $750 for workers who have lost more than 20 hours of work.
The grant is available from 1 April to 31 December 2023. Providers can visit the Department of Social Services for more information and how to claim.
COVID-19 vaccination payment for disability support workers
COVID-19 vaccination payment for disability support workers
The enabling vaccination payment for disability support workers remains in place.
Providers in the following registration groups can claim $100 per worker for any COVID vaccine or booster administered:
- 0104 High Intensity Daily Personal Activities
- 0107 Daily Personal Activities
- 0115 Assistance with Daily Life Tasks in a Group or Shared Living Arrangement
- 0125 Participation in Community, Social and Civic Activities
This support is a contribution towards:
- additional costs of supporting workers to receive a vaccination offsite, if they have no leave entitlements and would ordinarily be rostered to support a NDIS participant.
- additional costs associated with replacement staff where the replacement is necessary because of the vaccination of a support worker.
This will not impact funding from any participant's plan.
Providers can directly claim for these supports from the NDIA using the bulk payment request template.
Instructions about claiming for these supports is on the payments and billing webpage.
Meal preparation and delivery – ongoing flexibility
Meal preparation and delivery – ongoing flexibility
We made this support more flexible to help participants during COVID-19.
Some flexibility will now continue so participants can change arrangements for a short time, without the need for a plan review.
For more information, visit our guidelines on meal preparation.
NDIS participants who usually have a support worker help them with meal preparation at home or help with grocery shopping, can use these funds to pay for meal preparation and delivery support for a limited time.
The cost of food is not covered by the NDIS. Visit the COVID-19 payments and billing page to learn more about claiming this support.
