Not every NDIS participant needs the same kind of daily support. If you or someone you care for has complex health needs that require specialised skills to manage safely, high intensity supports may be part of your NDIS plan.
This page explains exactly what NDIS High Intensity Support are, who can access it, and how it works.
What Are High Intensity Supports Under the NDIS?
The NDIS calls these High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA). They cover personal care tasks that carry a higher risk and require support workers with specific, verified skills to perform safely.
They are not the same as standard personal care. The main difference is the complexity of the task, the risk involved and the training the worker needs to do it properly.
Who Qualifies for High Intensity Supports?
High intensity supports are for participants who need regular help with specific, complex health tasks as part of daily life. This includes people living with conditions like:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Acquired brain injuries
- Progressive neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis
- Complex respiratory conditions requiring ventilation
- Severe swallowing difficulties
- Conditions requiring ongoing complex wound management or catheter care
Put simply, it’s not about how serious your condition is. It’s about whether the daily tasks you need help with carry a higher clinical risk and require a specially trained worker to perform them safely.
NDIS High Intensity Supports Eligibility Criteria
For the NDIS to recognise a support as high intensity, the support must involve one of eight specific activities:
- Complex bowel care
- Enteral feeding and management
- Severe dysphagia (swallowing) management
- Tracheostomy management
- Urinary catheter management
- Ventilator management
- Subcutaneous injections
- Complex wound care
The NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission also consider how often you need the support, the risk if it’s done incorrectly and the evidence provided by your treating health team.
It’s worth knowing what doesn’t qualify, even if care feels complex. Standard personal care doesn’t meet the threshold for high intensity. Also, supports that should be delivered by a nurse under the health system are generally not funded as high-intensity NDIS supports. The key question is whether the task needs a specially trained support worker, not a healthcare professional.
Learn more: NDIS Eligibility Criteria
How Are NDIS High Intensity Supports Funded?
High intensity supports must be specifically identified and funded within your NDIS plan. They can’t simply be claimed at a higher rate without the relevant support being documented in your plan.
Are There Out-of-Pocket Costs for NDIS High Intensity Supports?
If your plan includes high intensity supports and your provider charges within NDIS price limits, there are usually no out-of-pocket costs for the support itself.
A few things are worth knowing, though:
- Funding must be specifically allocated in your plan for high intensity supports. You can’t redirect standard personal care funding to cover the higher rate without plan approval
- If your needs have changed and your plan doesn’t yet reflect that, you may need a plan review before updated funding is available
- General living costs like meals, tickets or activity costs are always the participant’s responsibility, regardless of support type
- If you choose a provider who charges above NDIS price limits, you’ll need to cover the difference yourself
Which NDIS Budget Category Covers High Intensity Supports?
High intensity supports most commonly sit under NDIS Core Supports, specifically the Assistance with Daily Life subcategory. This is the funding line that covers personal care and daily living support, and high intensity daily personal activities fall squarely within it.
In some situations, Capacity Building funding may also be relevant:
- Improved Daily Living — may fund an allied health professional to develop a care plan or train support workers to deliver a specific high intensity support safely
- Support Coordination — may be funded to help manage the complexity of engaging multiple providers or coordinating health and disability supports
Capital Supports may also be involved where equipment (like ventilators or specialised assistive technology) is required as part of the overall support package.
Who Is Allowed to Provide High Intensity Supports?
Providers must be registered with the NDIS Commission specifically for high intensity supports and meet strict safety standards.
Support workers must prove they have the specific skills for each task, as set out by the NDIS Commission. This must be verified by an appropriately qualified health practitioner. There is no blanket qualification. Workers need to demonstrate competency separately for each type of high intensity support they deliver.
Providers must also:
- Maintain records of staff training and skills checks
- Have specific policies for each type of high intensity support they deliver
- Operate incident management systems suited to high intensity risks
- Provide ongoing supervision for workers delivering these supports
Can High Intensity Supports Be Self-Managed, Plan-Managed or Agency-Managed?
Agency-managed (NDIA-managed)
If your plan is agency-managed, you can only use NDIS-registered providers. For high intensity supports, this is the most straightforward arrangement. Registered providers have already met the NDIS Commission’s requirements for these supports.
Plan-managed
A plan manager handles the financial side of your plan. You have more flexibility in choosing providers but you still need to stay within the NDIS price limits. For high intensity supports, make sure your provider is registered before you sign up.
Self-managed
Self-management gives you the most flexibility, including the ability to engage some non-registered providers. For high intensity supports, though, this comes with higher practical risk. Self-managed participants are responsible for making sure any worker they engage has the appropriate training and competency for each high intensity task. Many people choose registered providers for high intensity supports for this reason.
If you’re considering self-management for these supports, it’s worth speaking with your Support Coordinator or the NDIA before deciding.
What Evidence Does the NDIS Require for High Intensity Supports?
The NDIA needs to see that the support is reasonable, necessary and directly linked to your disability-related needs. Useful evidence includes:
- A letter or report from your treating specialist or GP confirming the condition and the ongoing need for the support
- A functional capacity assessment from an occupational therapist that describes the tasks you need help with and why they carry a higher risk
- A nursing assessment or care plan from a registered nurse, where relevant, outlining how the support should be safely delivered
- Provider progress notes or service delivery records if you already receive these supports
The best evidence clearly links your health condition to the specific high intensity task you need help with. It should also explain exactly why a standard support worker cannot perform the task safely.
How to Get High Intensity Supports Added to Your NDIS Plan
If you are applying for the NDIS for the first time
Start by getting reports from your health team that clearly explain your condition and the complex daily support you need. During your planning meeting, be specific about every high intensity task you require help with.
Don’t just ask for “complex care”. Instead, clearly name the specific supports you need, like “tracheostomy management twice a day” or “enteral feeding support at every meal”. The more specific you are about your goals and evidence, the better your plan will cover your actual needs.
Learn more: How to apply for NDIS funding
If you already have an NDIS plan
If your needs have changed or high intensity supports aren’t part of your current plan, you can request an unscheduled plan review. To do this:
- Contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or through your myNDIS portal
- Gather updated evidence from your treating health professionals
- Ask your Support Coordinator (if you have one) to help prepare and submit the review request
Don’t wait until your scheduled plan review date if your needs have changed. The NDIS allows for reviews when your situation has changed.
Get Help Finding the Right High Intensity Support Provider
Finding a provider with the right registration, training and experience to deliver high intensity supports safely isn’t always easy.
That’s where Care Decisions comes in. We’re a free, independent service that listens to what matters to you and connects you with disability support providers matched to your specific needs.
There’s no cost to participants, no obligation and no pressure—just clear options so you can feel confident in the choice you make.