NDIS community nursing care helps people with disability manage complex health needs without needing to go to hospital. It’s flexible, delivered where and when it’s needed, and always tied to the participant’s specific disability-related conditions. Whether it’s wound care, medication management, or training support workers for high needs — this type of nursing is essential for safe, independent living.

What is NDIS community nursing care?

NDIS community nursing care is a support service that help participants manage their complicated health needs in their own homes or community settings. It's designed for NDIS participants who need clinical support as part of their daily living but don’t need to be in hospital.

This can include things like

• Catheter care
• Skin integrity checks
• Tracheostomy care
• Medication management
• Intramuscular injections
• Training of support workers to respond to a participant’s complex needs

Who can receive community nursing care under the NDIS?

NDIS community nursing care is available to participants who have health-related needs that require the skills of a nurse — and when these needs are directly linked to their disability.

This care isn’t limited to a specific disability. It’s based on the person’s individual health needs and how those needs impact their daily life.

Community nursing care is especially important for participants who live alone or have informal carers who can’t safely manage their medical needs.

Who can provide NDIS community nursing care services?

Only qualified health professionals can deliver community nursing care under the NDIS — and for good reason. This support involves clinical tasks that require training, judgment, and professional oversight.

If your organisation wants to deliver nursing supports under the NDIS, you’ll likely need to be a registered NDIS provider, especially if delivering high intensity NDIS supports.

Key requirements include:

• Having qualified staff with up-to-date AHPRA registration
• Following clinical protocols and infection control procedures
• Keeping accurate care documentation
• Meeting the audit and reporting obligations of the NDIS Commission

The nurses who provide these NDIS community nursing services need to be

• Registered nurses (RNs): RNs are fully qualified and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They carry out assessments, develop care plans, deliver clinical care, manage medications, and supervise enrolled nurses.
• Enrolled nurses (ENs): ENs can provide care too, but must always operate under the supervision of a registered nurse. Their tasks are limited by their qualifications, training, and clinical guidelines.

Where is NDIS community nursing services delivered?

Most of the time, this care happens in the participant’s home (in home nursing care). But it can also be delivered in:

• Supported independent living (SIL) settings
• Specialist disability accommodation (SDA)
• Short-term accommodation
• Day programs or community centres
• Schools or workplaces (in some cases)

NDIS community nursing care is designed to be flexible. It’s delivered wherever and whenever the participant needs it — as long as it’s safe and clinically appropriate.

When is NDIS community nursing care delivered?

The schedule for nursing visits depends on the participants' needs. Some participants might need daily support, while others require only weekly or occasional visits. Care can be short-term—like following a hospital discharge or surgery—or ongoing for chronic or complex conditions linked to a participant’s disability.

It’s important to note that short-term nursing after surgery or acute illness is usually funded by the health system. However, the NDIS can fund nursing supports when ongoing or extended care is necessary due to a participant’s disability. For example, if a surgical wound requires extended care beyond typical recovery time due to disability-related factors, the NDIS may step in to cover this.

Most nursing visits occur during regular hours, but after-hours or overnight support is possible if clinically justified and clearly documented in the participant’s plan. The NDIS may fund these community nursing care services for participants who have unpredictable or complex medical needs directly related to their disability. This ensures that participants always receive essential care, even outside regular hours, provided it's necessary for their safety and wellbeing.

Which line items cover NDIS community nursing care?

The NDIS funds community nursing care under two key support categories:

• Core – Assistance with Daily Life
• Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living

1. Core supports – Assistance with Daily Life

These supports fall under registration group 0114 – Community Nursing Care, and fund hourly nursing services delivered directly to participants. Pricing differs depending on nurse qualifications and the time of service (weekday, evening, night, weekend, public holidays).

Common nursing services include:

• Wound care and skin integrity monitoring
• Medication administration (oral, injections, IV)
• Catheter, stoma, and continence care
• Tracheostomy care
• PEG feeding management
• Training support workers on complex care needs

Specific line items by nurse qualification level: Enrolled Nurse (EN): supervised nursing care

• Weekday Daytime: 01_600_0114_1_1
• Weekday Evening: 01_601_0114_1_1
• Weekday Night: 01_605_0114_1_1
• Saturday: 01_602_0114_1_1
• Sunday: 01_603_0114_1_1
• Public Holiday: 01_604_0114_1_1

Registered Nurse (RN) - Level 1: independent and more complex care

• Weekday Daytime: 01_606_0114_1_1
• Weekday Evening: 01_607_0114_1_1
• Weekday Night: 01_611_0114_1_1
• Saturday: 01_608_0114_1_1
• Sunday: 01_609_0114_1_1
• Public Holiday: 01_610_0114_1_1

Clinical Nurse (RN Level 2): advanced care, case management

• Weekday Daytime: 01_612_0114_1_1
• Weekday Evening: 01_613_0114_1_1
• Weekday Night: 01_617_0114_1_1
• Saturday: 01_614_0114_1_1
• Sunday: 01_615_0114_1_1
• Public Holiday: 01_616_0114_1_1

Clinical Nurse Consultant (RN Level 3+): expert clinical consultation, complex care planning

• Weekday Daytime: 01_618_0114_1_1
• Weekday Evening: 01_619_0114_1_1
• Weekday Night: 01_623_0114_1_1
• Saturday: 01_620_0114_1_1
• Sunday: 01_621_0114_1_1
• Public Holiday: 01_622_0114_1_1

Nurse Practitioner (NP): highest-level nursing care, including prescribing and advanced medical management

• Weekday Daytime: 01_624_0114_1_1
• Weekday Evening: 01_625_0114_1_1
• Weekday Night: 01_629_0114_1_1
• Saturday: 01_626_0114_1_1
• Sunday: 01_627_0114_1_1
• Public Holiday: 01_628_0114_1_1

Additional claiming information:

• Providers must be NDIS-registered for Community Nursing Care (0114) to claim under NDIA-managed plans.
• Non-face-to-face tasks, short-notice cancellations, and provider travel can be claimed separately according to NDIS Price Guide rules.
• Travel costs are billed under item: 01_799_0114_1_1.

2. Capacity Building supports – Improved Daily Living

Capacity-building nursing supports mirror the above-listed Core supports, but they are funded under Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living instead of Core. This allows participants with funding allocated under Improved Daily Living to access necessary nursing services.

Capacity Building nursing line items:

• Item numbers range from 15_400_0114_1_3 up to 15_429_0114_1_3, covering each nurse qualification (EN through NP) across different service times (weekday, evening, night, weekends, public holidays).
• Pricing and descriptions exactly match corresponding Core line items. Nursing services include developing nursing plans, managing complex conditions, training participants or carers, and supporting health independence goals.

3. Specific capacity-building item: Continence assessment & training

A separate line item specifically funds continence-related nursing:

Community Nursing Care for Continence Aid

• Line item: 15_051_0114_1_3 (Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living)
• Description: Nursing assessment, recommendations, and training on continence aids and management strategies.
• Typically used when professional nursing input is needed to manage incontinence as part of disability supports.
• Hourly priced (standard rate capped around $124/hour, with higher allowances for remote locations).
• Provider must be a registered nursing provider (Community Nursing Care group 0114).

Tools and systems to streamline NDIS community nursing care

Managing community nursing under the NDIS isn’t just about having the right staff — it’s also about having the right systems in place. The more streamlined your operations, the better care you can provide and the easier it is to stay compliant.

Here are some tools that can make a real difference:

1. Care management software: Using an NDIS care management system like Pnys helps you stay on top of everything — from client records and care plans to visit notes and funding claims. It also helps your team stay on the same page and cuts down on manual admin.

2. Digital NDIS progress notes and assessments: Move away from paper. Your nurses should be able to record care notes, assessments, and clinical observations on the go — ideally from a tablet or phone. This keeps everything organised, timestamped, and ready for audits.

3. Rostering and scheduling tools: Use rostering tools that let you match nurses based on qualifications, availability, and participant preferences. The right tool will also help you manage shift changes, reduce gaps in care, and avoid burnout.

4. Communication platforms: Whether it’s updating a support coordinator or sharing concerns with a GP, secure communication matters. Choose an NDIS care management system that make it easy for your team to collaborate and keep everyone informed — without breaching privacy.

FAQ

What are the main differences between NDIS community nursing care and regular nursing home care?

NDIS community nursing care is delivered in the participant's own home or chosen community setting, focusing specifically on disability-related health needs. Regular nursing home care, on the other hand, involves residential care provided in aged-care facilities, typically catering to elderly people with broader age-related health issues. NDIS nursing care emphasises flexibility, participant choice, and independence. In contrast, nursing home care provides structured, around-the-clock support in an institutional environment.

How can someone apply for NDIS community nursing care if they meet the eligibility criteria?

First, the participant needs to include community nursing care as part of their NDIS plan by clearly documenting their disability-related health needs. They should provide evidence (such as reports from doctors or nurses) showing why nursing care is necessary and cannot be covered by mainstream health services. This evidence is presented during the planning or review meeting with their NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). Once approved in their plan, the participant can choose a registered nursing provider to deliver the service.

What types of specialized care can NDIS nursing providers offer?

NDIS nursing providers offer specialised services such as complex wound management, catheter and stoma care, tracheostomy support, PEG feeding management, diabetes monitoring, and medication administration. Advanced providers (Clinical Nurses or Nurse Practitioners) can deliver highly specialised clinical care, including managing intricate medication plans, coordinating care for chronic health conditions, and providing expert consultation. Nurses may also provide specialist continence assessments and training for participants or carers. Overall, these services help participants manage complex health needs safely at home.