Unlocking Success: NDIS Cleaning Tips from Clean Group

Spotless Success: NDIS Cleaning Insights by Clean Group

NDIS cleaning services must meet specific hygiene, safety, and compliance standards that differ from standard commercial or domestic cleaning. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia funds support services for people with permanent and significant disabilities, and cleaning within that framework requires tailored protocols, appropriate products, and a person-centred approach.

Clean Group is a registered commercial cleaning provider based in Sydney, delivering Office Cleaning and specialist services across New South Wales. With over 20 years of industry experience, the company has developed NDIS-specific cleaning systems that align with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission standards, infection control guidelines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and Safe Work Australia regulations.

For households and care environments, Clean Group also provides a comprehensive Residential Cleaning Service designed to meet the personal care and hygiene needs of NDIS participants living at home. This service accounts for individual support plans, mobility considerations, and participant-specific cleaning preferences as defined under Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets within the NDIS framework.

This guide covers every key dimension of NDIS cleaning, from regulatory compliance and product selection to staff training requirements and service documentation—providing a practical resource for both NDIS service providers and participants.

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What Is NDIS Cleaning and Who Does It Apply To?

NDIS cleaning refers to cleaning and hygiene services funded through a participant’s NDIS plan under the Core Supports category, specifically Assistance with Daily Life (Support Category 01). It applies to private residences, Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodations, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), community access facilities, and day programmes attended by NDIS participants.

Eligible participants are Australian residents under 65 years of age with a permanent disability that substantially affects their daily functioning. Cleaning tasks funded may include general household cleaning, bathroom and toilet sanitation, kitchen hygiene, laundry, window cleaning, and deep cleans following illness or medical procedures.

The NDIS does not fund cleaning services that a person without a disability would reasonably be expected to fund themselves. This means NDIS cleaning providers must clearly document how each task relates to a participant’s disability-related need.

Regulatory Framework Governing NDIS Cleaning in Australia

NDIS cleaning providers in Australia operate under a layered compliance framework. The primary regulatory body is the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which oversees registration, audit, and complaint handling for NDIS service providers. Providers delivering cleaning services must be either NDIS-registered or operate under a written agreement with a self-managed or plan-managed participant.

Infection control practices must align with the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, published by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). While these guidelines target healthcare settings, they establish the benchmark for chemical selection, surface disinfection, and waste handling that NDIS environments are expected to follow.

Cleaning products used in NDIS settings should be TGA-listed disinfectants or products compliant with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4187, which covers reprocessing of reusable medical devices and informs broader sanitation practice in care environments.

Regulatory Body / Standard	Scope	Relevance to NDIS Cleaning
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission	National	Registration, audits, and complaint management for providers
Safe Work Australia	National	WHS obligations for cleaning staff in participant homes and facilities
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)	National	Approval of disinfectants and cleaning chemicals used in care environments
NHMRC Infection Control Guidelines	National	Benchmark for infection prevention protocols in care settings
AS/NZS 4187	National Standard	Informs sanitation protocols and chemical-use standards
NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011	New South Wales	State-level WHS requirements for cleaning service delivery

Core Principles of NDIS-Compliant Cleaning

Effective NDIS cleaning is built on three core principles: safety, dignity, and consistency. Safety means eliminating biological hazards, chemical risks, and physical dangers such as wet floors or cluttered pathways. Dignity means cleaning is delivered in a manner that respects participant privacy, autonomy, and personal preferences. Consistency means applying documented protocols every service visit, so outcomes are predictable and auditable.

Clean Group operationalises these principles through standardised Service Level Agreements (SLAs), written cleaning schedules agreed with participants or their support coordinators, and regular quality audits.

Person-Centred Cleaning Plans

Each NDIS participant has a unique support plan that specifies their goals, needs, and preferred routines. A person-centred cleaning plan aligns the scope of cleaning work to these individual parameters. For example, a participant with a respiratory condition may require fragrance-free, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) cleaning products. A participant with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may require cleaning to follow a fixed sequence to minimise disruption.

Clean Group’s approach involves an initial consultation with the participant, their support coordinator, and where applicable, their Local Area Coordinator (LAC), to develop a cleaning plan that is both NDIS-compliant and personally relevant.

NDIS Cleaning Product Standards and Selection

Product selection is one of the most consequential decisions in NDIS cleaning. The wrong chemical can cause respiratory reactions, skin sensitisation, or surface damage in environments used by people with disabilities who may have heightened health vulnerabilities.

Product Category	Recommended Type	Key Consideration
General Surface Cleaner	pH-neutral, fragrance-free	Safe for participants with chemical sensitivities
Disinfectant	TGA-listed hospital-grade	Effective against bacteria and viruses including MRSA and COVID-19
Floor Cleaner	Non-slip residue formula	Critical for participants with mobility impairments
Bathroom Sanitiser	Chlorine-based or quaternary ammonium	Must meet NHMRC infection control benchmarks
Laundry Detergent	Hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested	Reduces risk of skin reactions for participants with sensory sensitivities
Eco / Green Alternatives	Certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA)	Suitable where environmental sensitivity or sustainability is a participant goal

Clean Group uses a pre-approved product register reviewed against TGA listings and GECA certification data. Products are matched to each participant’s health profile before service commencement.

Essential NDIS Cleaning Techniques by Area

NDIS-compliant cleaning requires area-specific techniques because risk levels and contamination types differ significantly between zones in a participant’s home or care facility.

Bathroom and Toilet Sanitation

Bathrooms are high-risk zones for pathogen transmission, particularly for participants with compromised immune systems. Hospital-grade disinfectants should be applied to all contact surfaces including tap handles, toilet flush buttons, handrails, and door handles. A colour-coded microfibre cloth system (for example, red for toilets, blue for basins) prevents cross-contamination between surfaces.

Grout lines and silicone seals are common sites for mould growth and should be treated with an appropriate antifungal agent at each scheduled deep clean. This is especially relevant in Sydney’s humid coastal climate.

Kitchen Hygiene

Kitchen cleaning in NDIS settings must address food safety as well as general hygiene. Benchtops, sink areas, and appliance handles should be sanitised with a TGA-listed food-safe disinfectant. Microwave interiors, refrigerator seals, and rangehood filters are frequently overlooked surfaces that accumulate grease and bacteria.

Floor Cleaning and Hard Surface Care

For participants using wheelchairs, walking frames, or prosthetics, floor safety is a direct disability-related concern. Floors should be cleaned with non-residue solutions that do not reduce traction. Steam cleaning is effective for hard floors and does not introduce chemical residues. Carpeted areas in NDIS homes should be vacuumed with HEPA-filter equipped vacuums to reduce allergen load for participants with asthma or respiratory conditions.

High-Touch Surface Protocols

Light switches, remote controls, door handles, stair rails, and call button panels are vectors for infection in shared disability accommodation. These surfaces should be disinfected at every service visit, not just during deep cleans.

Staff Training Requirements for NDIS Cleaners

Cleaning staff working in NDIS environments must meet training standards beyond those required for standard commercial cleaning. The NDIS Worker Screening Check is mandatory under the NDIS (Worker Screening) Act 2020 for workers who have more than incidental contact with participants.

Training Requirement	Governing Body / Framework	Frequency
NDIS Worker Screening Check	NDIS Commission / State screening units	Prior to commencement; renewed every 5 years
NDIS Worker Orientation Module	NDIS Commission (online)	Once, prior to client-facing work
Infection Control Training	NHMRC Guidelines	Annual refresh recommended
Manual Handling / WHS	Safe Work Australia	Prior to commencement; updated as required
Chemical Handling (SDS Literacy)	Safe Work Australia / GHS	Prior to commencement
Disability Awareness / Person-Centred Practice	Internal or RTO-delivered training	Annual recommended

Clean Group requires all NDIS cleaning staff to hold current Worker Screening clearances, complete the NDIS Worker Orientation Module, and undergo internal induction on person-centred practice and infection control protocols before attending a participant’s home.

Frequency and Scheduling of NDIS Cleaning Services

The frequency of NDIS cleaning is determined by a participant’s support plan, not by a provider’s preferred roster. Common funded arrangements include weekly general cleans, fortnightly deep cleans, and ad-hoc cleans following illness or hospitalisation. Some SDA and SIL arrangements include daily cleaning of common areas.

Service schedules must be documented in writing and accessible to the participant. Any change to the scheduled service must be communicated in advance and recorded in the service agreement as required under the NDIS Practice Standards (Support Provision sub-element).

Documentation and Record-Keeping for NDIS Cleaning Providers

Documentation is a compliance obligation, not an administrative formality. The NDIS Practice Standards require registered providers to maintain records of service delivery that demonstrate supports were provided as agreed, were safe, and respected participant rights.

For cleaning services, this includes signed service agreements, visit records noting tasks completed and any incidents, product Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals used on-site, staff training records and screening clearances, and any written feedback or complaints received from the participant or their nominee.

Clean Group maintains digital service logs for all NDIS clients. Visit records are time-stamped and accessible to participants and their support coordinators on request, supporting transparency and audit readiness under NDIS Commission review processes.

NDIS Cleaning Costs: What Is Typically Funded?

NDIS cleaning costs are funded under Core Supports, Support Category 01: Assistance with Daily Life. The NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits (formerly the NDIS Price Guide), published annually by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), sets the maximum claimable rates for different support types.

Cleaning is generally funded at the Assistance with Daily Life hourly rate, which varies depending on the time of day, day of the week, and whether the worker holds specific qualifications. Participants should refer to their plan’s stated budget and confirm claimable items with their Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator before engaging a provider.

Cleaning Service Type	Typical NDIS Funding Category	Notes
General house cleaning (vacuuming, mopping, dusting)	Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life	Most commonly funded cleaning task
Bathroom and kitchen sanitation	Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life	Must be documented as disability-related need
Laundry	Core Supports – Assistance with Daily Life	Includes washing, drying, and folding where participant cannot do so
Deep cleaning / end-of-tenancy	Capital Supports or Core depending on plan	Requires specific plan approval
Window cleaning	Core Supports (where included in plan)	Not always funded; confirm with LAC
Carpet or upholstery cleaning	Core Supports (where included in plan)	Often requires separate line item in plan

How Clean Group Delivers NDIS Cleaning Excellence in Sydney

Clean Group operates from its Sydney headquarters and services participants across Greater Sydney, including the CBD, Inner West, North Shore, Western Sydney, and South Sydney regions. The company’s NDIS cleaning division is staffed by workers who hold current NDIS Worker Screening clearances and have completed the NDIS Worker Orientation Module.

Service delivery follows a documented quality management system aligned with ISO 9001:2015 — the international standard for quality management systems — and Clean Group holds relevant ISO accreditations that underpin its service consistency and accountability.

For participants requiring both commercial facility maintenance and home-based support, Clean Group offers integrated service packages that coordinate scheduling, product use, and documentation across both environments. This is particularly relevant for participants in SDA properties that have both private and communal areas requiring regular cleaning.

Practical NDIS Cleaning Checklist

The following checklist reflects tasks commonly included in NDIS-funded cleaning plans. It should be adapted to each participant’s individual support plan.

Area	Weekly Tasks	Monthly / Deep Clean Tasks
Bathroom	Toilet disinfection, basin wipe, shower clean, floor mop	Grout scrub, showerscreen descale, exhaust fan wipe
Kitchen	Bench wipe, sink sanitise, appliance exterior wipe	Oven clean, rangehood filter, refrigerator seal
Bedrooms	Vacuum floor, dust surfaces, change bed linen	Mattress vacuum, wardrobe wipe, skirting boards
Living Areas	Vacuum carpet/mop floor, dust furniture, wipe high-touch surfaces	Window sills, blinds, ceiling fans
Laundry	Wash and dry clothes, wipe machine exterior	Clean dryer lint trap, descale washing machine drum
Entry / Hallways	Vacuum/mop, wipe door handles and light switches	Skirting boards, door frames, stair rails

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Frequently Asked Questions: NDIS Cleaning

Q1: Does the NDIS fund cleaning services, and what is required to access them?

Yes. The NDIS funds cleaning under Core Supports, Assistance with Daily Life (Support Category 01), provided the participant’s support plan identifies a disability-related need for cleaning support. Participants should discuss cleaning support with their Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator at their plan review to have it formally included. Once included, participants can engage a registered or unregistered provider depending on how their plan is managed.

Q2: What is the difference between a registered and unregistered NDIS cleaning provider?

A registered NDIS provider has been assessed against the NDIS Practice Standards and holds formal registration with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Agency-managed participants must use registered providers. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can engage unregistered providers, though they carry greater responsibility for ensuring quality and compliance. Clean Group is a registered provider operating in New South Wales.

Q3: Can an NDIS participant choose their own cleaning products?

Yes. Under the NDIS’s person-centred framework, participants have the right to express preferences about cleaning products used in their home. If a participant requires specific fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, or eco-certified products due to a health condition, this should be documented in the service agreement. Providers must accommodate reasonable product preferences provided they do not compromise infection control standards required under the NDIS Practice Standards.

Q4: What qualifications should an NDIS cleaner hold?

At a minimum, cleaners working in NDIS environments with more than incidental participant contact should hold a current NDIS Worker Screening clearance and have completed the NDIS Worker Orientation Module. Cleaners should also have training in infection control, manual handling, and chemical safety (SDS literacy). Formal qualifications such as a Certificate III in Cleaning Operations are not mandatory but are considered indicative of a higher professional standard.

Q5: How should an NDIS cleaning provider respond to a participant complaint?

Registered NDIS providers are required under the NDIS Practice Standards to have a documented complaints management system. When a participant raises a complaint, the provider must acknowledge it promptly, investigate fairly, and communicate outcomes. Unresolved complaints can be escalated to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Clean Group’s complaints process is managed by its operations team and is documented in all service agreements.

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Contact Clean Group – NDIS Cleaning Sydney

Clean Group provides NDIS-compliant cleaning services across Greater Sydney, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Address: 1b L1, 299 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 02 9160 7469

Email: sales@clean-group.com.au

Operating Hours: Mon – Sun, 24 Hours

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