Quick reference - Current pricing framework: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 v1.1 (effective 24 November 2025). - Where to check rates: NDIA pricing page and the NDIS Support Catalogue (downloadable XLSX). - Who sets maximums: the NDIA — price limits are the maximum registered providers can charge for NDIA- or plan-managed participants. - Typical steps covered: find the exact AUD rate for a support item, register as a provider, calculate total employee cost (wages + super + leave + tax), invoice and claim correctly. - Useful links: NDIA pricing page (https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-and-payment/pricing-arrangements-and-price-limits) and Services Australia’s NDIS pages (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ndis).

Introduction

Whether you're a support worker, provider, or NDIS participant, this guide explains how to understand NDIS rates for support workers in 2026. It shows where the official price limits live, how to read them, and how to calculate what a support worker actually earns once taxes, super and rostering are taken into account. The current pricing framework, effective from 24 November 2025, is the 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits v1.1.

Prerequisites

That said, before you start: you'll need a web browser, a PDF/XLSX reader, and the following accounts if you're a provider — a Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account and access to the NDIS provider portal (register at the NDIA providers page). Participants or plan-managers should have their plan documents handy so they can identify which supports are NDIA-managed, plan-managed or self-managed.

What the NDIA price limits mean

The NDIA publishes price limits as the maximum that registered providers can charge NDIA-managed and plan-managed participants for specified support items. Participants and providers may agree on lower prices, but registered providers can't charge more than the listed price limit for NDIA- or plan-managed supports. The NDIS Support Catalogue lists each support item, the current price limit, and applicable claim types such as travel or non-face-to-face charges. These documents are updated through the Annual Pricing Review — the current set is labelled 2025–26 v1.1, effective 24 November 2025.

Step-by-step: find the current AUD rate for a support worker

  1. Open the NDIA pricing page: go to https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-and-payment/pricing-arrangements-and-price-limits. That page links the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits documents and the Support Catalogue.
  2. Download the files: get the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 v1.1 (PDF 1.3MB) and the NDIS Support Catalogue 2025–26 v1.1 (XLSX 549KB) — both listed on the NDIA page with the effective date 24 November 2025.
  3. Open the Support Catalogue (XLSX) and use the search function. Search common phrases: “assistance,” “daily living,” “community participation,” or “supported independent living” depending on what the worker does. The catalogue shows the support item code, a short description, the maximum price (in AUD), and claim types (for example, travel or non-face-to-face).
  4. Check claim types and booking units. Some items are charged per hour, others per 15 minutes or per kilometre for travel. Note any minimum booking duration — many community supports have a two‑hour minimum for face-to-face bookings; confirm the exact unit for the item you’re looking at.
  5. If the participant is self-managed, they can negotiate any rate with the worker. If the participant is NDIA- or plan-managed, registered providers must not exceed the price limit shown in the catalogue.

Step-by-step: set an employer rate for a support worker

  1. Identify the hourly price limit for the support item in the Support Catalogue (see steps above) — this tells you what the NDIA will pay for that item when claimed by a registered provider.
  2. Decide employment model: casual, part‑time or contractor. Most disability support workers get paid under the SCHADS Award or a relevant enterprise agreement. You can check the Fair Work website to confirm the right award.
  3. Calculate on-costs. Add superannuation (the Super Guarantee rate as legislated for the current financial year), payroll tax (if applicable in your state), workers’ compensation insurance, leave loading, and any penalty or weekend rates required by award. These costs usually add 20–40% on top of base wages, so it's best to calculate each one carefully.
  4. Set a payroll rate that fits under the NDIA price limit. If the NDIA price limit for an item is the maximum a provider can charge, your employee base pay plus on-costs must fit inside that rate plus any margin your organisation needs to cover admin and compliance costs.
  5. Record services correctly and claim through the NDIS portal. Use your provider portal and the correct support item code from the Support Catalogue when submitting payment requests to the NDIA or when invoicing a plan manager.

Tips for support workers and small providers

  • Make sure to download the latest Support Catalogue and check the effective date. The pricing arrangements were updated to version 2025–26 v1.1 on 24 November 2025. The NDIA changes price limits annually, so check before contract negotiations.
  • Know the difference between NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed plans. Price limits only bind registered providers when the plan is NDIA- or plan-managed. Self-managed participants can pay any agreed rate.
  • Watch travel and non-face-to-face rules. Some supports have separate travel rates or allow a non-face-to-face claim. The Support Catalogue specifies which claim types apply to each item.
  • Keep rosters and time sheets accurate. The NDIA can audit claims; good record-keeping reduces disputes and ensures prompt payment.
  • If you're a worker, check award entitlements on the Fair Work website — base pay, penalty rates and leave entitlements can change outcomes substantially.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Charging or claiming above the price limit for NDIA- or plan-managed supports. That’s not allowed for registered providers.
  • Assuming the Support Catalogue price is what a worker takes home. The catalogue shows the maximum the scheme will pay for the service, not the worker’s wage after tax and on‑costs.
  • Missing the effective date. Using an older price list can mean undercharging or overclaiming. The current pricing documents are explicitly effective 24 November 2025.
  • Confusing support item codes. Using the wrong code can cause rejected claims and delayed payments — always match the code and booking unit exactly.
  • Ignoring the plan’s funding type. If the participant is self‑managed, different rules apply; clarity in the service agreement avoids disputes.

Alternatives and comparisons

Self-managed participants have flexibility — they can engage unregistered providers or pay workers directly at negotiated rates. Plan-managed participants rely on plan managers to pay invoices and must use registered providers that comply with price limits unless the participant has agreed otherwise. Registered providers must follow NDIA price limits for NDIA- and plan-managed participants. Consider whether to be a registered provider: registration gives access to a broader market but brings compliance obligations.

Useful official links

NDIA pricing page: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-and-payment/pricing-arrangements-and-price-limits — contains the pricing arrangements and links to the Support Catalogue (current version: NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025–26 v1.1 effective 24 November 2025). Services Australia NDIS information: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/ndis — for interactions between NDIS funding and other payments. Fair Work: https://www.fairwork.gov.au — for award and pay rules. These are the official places to confirm the exact AUD price limits for specific support items.

Related Articles

The NDIA’s 2025–26 Pricing Arrangements v1.1 (effective 24 November 2025) and the Support Catalogue are the authoritative sources to find the AUD price limit for any support worker item — download the catalogue and check the item code, booking unit and claim types before you set wages or submit claims.

This article was created with AI assistance.