What NDIS supports cost in 2026 and how to check a quote
How NDIS price limits work, what pushes a quote up, and how to check a quote against the price guide and your plan budget before you agree to it.
If the quote
NDIA-managed or plan-managed: at or below the applicable limit and inside the budget
Potentially claimable — compare the inclusions and put the rate in writing.
If the quote
Self-managed: above the published limit
Allowed if you agree, but the higher rate uses more of your plan budget. Compare carefully.
If the quote
Has travel, cancellation, or admin fees that weren't disclosed up front
Not necessarily wrong — but it should be on the invoice proposal before you commit.
Many prices have a published ceiling
The NDIA publishes the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on its website. It sets maximum prices for many commonly used supports when they are NDIA-managed or plan-managed. Self-managed participants can negotiate their own rate, although their total plan budget stays the same.
Supports price differently: hourly, per session, per item, or per day. Comparing a per-hour quote to a per-session quote is how fair-looking comparisons go wrong — align the units before you compare.
Check your quote against the price limit
Enter the rate you've been quoted, the limit from the current price guide, and how the support is managed — the tool tells you whether the quote holds up before you agree.
Limits apply to many, but not all, supports and change with each update. Always confirm the current figure on the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
A quote under the limit isn't automatically a bargain and a quote at the limit isn't automatically fair — but a quote that respects both the price limit and your plan budget is one you can say yes to with your eyes open.
What typical supports cost — as a range, not a rule
The table below is an orientation, not a price list. Pull up the current price guide for exact figures, and treat any number you hear second-hand — including in this guide — as a prompt to check.
| Support | Priced by | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Support worker (personal care, domestic assistance) | Hour | Daytime rates run lower; evening, weekend, and public holiday rates add on |
| Community access and day programs | Hour or session | Group activities typically cost less per person than 1:1 support |
| Plan management | Month | A set monthly fee per participant, funded as a line in the plan |
| Support coordination | Hour or per contact | Level 2 and specialist (level 3) coordination are priced differently |
| Therapy (OT, speech, physio, psychology) | Hour or session | Allied health rates vary by profession, session, and reporting |
| SIL and accommodation supports | Day or per person | Quoted as a package — hours and housing type drive it |
| Assistive technology and equipment | Per item | Quote-based; funded from your AT budget, capped separately |
Extra costs to ask about upfront
Tick items as you work through them — your progress is saved on this device. Download or print when you're ready.
Ask about these before they appear on an invoice
These charges can be fair. Travelling across town does cost the provider. The problem is finding out about them on an invoice, so ask about them upfront and get the answers in writing.
How to check whether a quote is fair
A five-minute fact check on any quote
01Ask for a breakdown in writing
Hourly rate, travel, admin, and any extras, item by item.
02Match it to the price guide
Line up the support with its price limit. Ask for the item code if you can't find it.
03Get two or three comparable quotes
Same support, same time of day, same distance — then differences tell the truth.
04Check the budget line in your plan
Make sure the quote fits inside the money your plan actually holds for that support.
05Sign when it's written down
A service agreement with prices beats a verbal deal every time.
Cost versus value: where the real money goes
The cheapest quote isn't the best deal if the workforce is unreliable, and the most expensive isn't necessarily better care. Check whether an applicable price limit is being followed, whether the provider is eligible for your funding arrangement, and whether recent reviews support their reliability. If you're choosing between providers on cost, run them through the same shortlist you'd use for any support decision.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the official list of prices?
The NDIA publishes the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits — the 'price guide' — on its website. It lists maximum prices for many supports and is updated periodically, so always check the current version.
Can providers charge whatever they like?
It depends on how that support is managed. For NDIA-managed and plan-managed supports, providers cannot charge more than the applicable NDIS price limit. A self-managed participant can negotiate a price above or below the published limit, but a higher rate uses more of the available plan budget.
Why was my quote higher than a friend's for the same support?
Different time of day, travel distance, and session length all change the price. Evening, weekend, and public holiday rates run higher, and providers can charge legitimate travel. Compare like-for-like quotes, not bare hourly numbers.
Are cheaper providers automatically worse?
No. Price isn't quality. A provider quoting well under the limit may be building a client base — weigh their registration, reviews, and reliability before letting price decide.
How do I know what my plan will cover?
Your plan sets the available budget for support categories. If the support is NDIA-managed or plan-managed, the quote must also stay within any applicable price limit. Self-managed participants can agree to a higher rate, but the plan budget does not increase to cover it.
Official sources
This guide is checked against these official pages.
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