If you’re an NDIS participant or helping someone who is, you’ve probably wondered: Does the NDIS cover lawn mowing? The short answer is — it can, but only under the right circumstances.
The NDIS is designed to fund supports that are directly related to a person’s disability. That includes help around the home, especially when basic maintenance tasks like lawn mowing become difficult or unsafe to manage on your own. Overgrown grass, slippery leaves, or uneven ground can pose real risks — especially for people with mobility issues or limited strength.
But not every lawn mowing job gets covered. The NDIS won’t pay for general property upkeep unless it’s considered a necessary support linked to your disability. That’s why it’s important to understand the rules, know what qualifies, and make sure any request is framed clearly within your plan.
Does the NDIS Fund Lawn Mowing?
Yes — the NDIS can fund lawn mowing, but only when it’s directly linked to your disability. That means the service must support your ability to live safely, independently, and with dignity in your home environment.
Lawn mowing isn’t automatically included in every plan. It must be considered reasonable and necessary, which is the NDIS standard for approving supports. If your disability prevents you from maintaining your yard — and if unmanaged grass or garden areas create safety risks or affect your daily living — then lawn care may be funded as part of your Core Supports budget under Assistance with Daily Life.
The NDIS won’t fund lawn care just because it looks nice or keeps the property tidy. It must help remove a barrier that affects your functional capacity or your ability to access and use your home safely. For example, if long grass makes it difficult to reach your front door with a wheelchair or walker, that’s a practical issue tied to your disability — and it’s the kind of situation the NDIS is designed to support.
Whether the service gets approved depends on how your needs are described in your plan, and how clearly you link the support to your personal goals and challenges.
What Lawn and Garden Tasks Are Typically Covered?
If lawn mowing is approved as part of your NDIS plan, it usually falls under the broader category of yard maintenance. These services are designed to keep your outdoor area safe, accessible, and manageable — especially when your disability prevents you from doing the work yourself.
The NDIS may fund tasks such as:
- Lawn mowing and grass trimming
- Edging along driveways, fences, and paths
- Weeding to prevent overgrowth and trip hazards
- Light pruning of shrubs or low branches
- Raking leaves or removing debris from walkways
- Basic garden clean-up for safety and access
However, it’s important to understand what’s not included. The NDIS only funds the labour cost for necessary maintenance.
It does not cover:
- Materials like mulch, soil, compost, or new plants
- Landscaping design or major renovations
- Cosmetic improvements that aren’t related to safety or accessibility
These services are only funded when they remove a barrier created by your disability. If you’re requesting gardening or lawn support, make sure it’s clearly tied to your functional needs and safety — not general home upkeep.
Who Can Provide Lawn Mowing Services Under the NDIS?
You don’t need to use a big company to get NDIS-funded lawn mowing — but the provider you choose must match the way your NDIS plan is managed.
Here’s how it works depending on your plan type:
If your plan is self-managed:
- You can hire any provider you like, including local gardeners or small businesses.
- They do not need to be NDIS-registered.
- You’ll pay the invoice and claim it back through the NDIS portal.
If your plan is plan-managed:
- You can still use unregistered providers.
- Your plan manager will handle the invoices and payments for you.
- You should confirm that the provider can issue valid tax invoices with an ABN.
If your plan is NDIA-managed (agency-managed):
- You can only use NDIS-registered providers.
- This limits your options, as most lawn mowing businesses are not registered.
- You may need to switch to plan- or self-management to access local services.
No matter how your plan is managed, the provider should:
- Offer clear pricing that matches the NDIS price guide
- Be able to provide written quotes or service agreements
- Understand disability-related needs (e.g. access, communication, safety)
Before you book, it’s worth checking whether your chosen provider has experience working with NDIS participants — especially if you require specific communication, scheduling, or access arrangements.
What Are the NDIS Price Limits for Lawn Mowing?
The NDIS sets maximum hourly rates for services like lawn mowing to make sure funding is used fairly and consistently. These price limits depend on where you live and are listed in the official NDIS Pricing Arrangements.
Here’s a breakdown of the current limits for yard maintenance services:
- Standard rate (non-remote areas): $49.30 per hour
- Remote areas: $69.02 per hour
- Very remote areas: $73.95 per hour
These prices are set per worker, per hour. If a provider sends two workers, the charge may double unless stated otherwise in your agreement.
The price limit includes:
- Labour for lawn mowing, edging, and basic yard clean-up
- Time spent on-site performing the agreed tasks
The price limit does not include:
- Green waste disposal (unless negotiated in the quote)
- Equipment hire or replacement
- Gardening materials like mulch or weed killer
Before approving any service, the NDIA expects participants to:
- Get a written quote if it’s a regular or ongoing task
- Make sure the provider’s rate stays within the NDIS hourly limits
- Only pay for work that is linked to your disability-related needs
If your quote exceeds the capped rate, you may be expected to cover the difference out of pocket — unless you can justify the higher cost as reasonable and necessary.
How to Include Lawn Mowing in Your NDIS Plan
Lawn mowing won’t automatically be included in your NDIS plan — you need to request it and show why it’s necessary based on your situation.
Here’s how to prepare and get it added to your plan:
Before your planning or review meeting:
- Write down your needs: Note how yard maintenance affects your safety, mobility, or independence.
- Link it to your goals: For example, “maintain a safe home environment” or “live independently without relying on family for physical support.”
- Collect evidence: A letter from your GP, occupational therapist, or support coordinator can help explain why you’re unable to do the work yourself.
During your planning meeting:
- Clearly explain the risks or problems caused by not maintaining your yard
- Be specific: mention falls, mobility issues, allergies, pests, or safety concerns
- Ask for funding under Core Supports > Assistance with Daily Life
After approval:
- Confirm how much funding is allocated toward household or garden maintenance
- Choose a provider who fits your plan management type
- Keep records of quotes, invoices, and services in case you need to justify the expense
If your request is declined, you can ask for a review. You may need to provide stronger documentation or clearer links to your goals.
The key is to show that lawn mowing is not about keeping your garden looking nice — it’s about making sure you can move around safely and live with dignity in your own home.
Conclusion
Lawn mowing might seem like a simple task — but for many NDIS participants, it’s a vital support that helps maintain safety, independence, and daily comfort at home. If your disability stops you from keeping your yard in a safe condition, the NDIS may fund regular lawn care under your Core Supports budget.
The key is to show how the service relates to your disability, not just your lifestyle. Document the risks, link the support to your personal goals, and request it clearly during your plan meeting. If approved, take the time to choose a provider who understands your needs and works within the NDIS pricing guidelines.
If you’re unsure where to start, speak to your support coordinator or plan manager. And if you’re preparing for your next plan review, now’s the time to think about the everyday supports — like lawn mowing — that can make a real difference.
Need help organising home and yard supports through your NDIS plan?
SS Disability Care is a trusted NDIS provider offering assistance with daily living tasks, including cleaning, gardening, personal care, nursing care and other essential services. Whether you’re plan-managed or self-managed, we’ll help you get the right support in place — professionally, reliably, and within your plan budget. Contact us today to enquire about our NDIS support services.
