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Supported Accommodation
31 Oct 2026
1 min read

What is Assistance with Daily Living?

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Daily life looks different for everyone.

You might want help getting ready in the morning. You might need a hand with cooking, cleaning or shopping. You might want someone with you at appointments or out in the community.

That is where assistance with daily living can help.

What is Assistance with Daily Living (ADL)?

Assistance with daily living is NDIS support that helps you with everyday tasks.

A support worker comes to you. They help you at home, or out in your community.

You might hear it called other names, like assistance with daily living, ADL or in-home support. They all mean the same thing.

At Afford, we call it in-home support.

What can ADL help with?

ADL can help with lots of everyday things, like:

  • Showering, dressing and personal care
  • Cooking meals and food shopping
  • Cleaning, washing and tidying up
  • Getting ready for the day
  • Getting to appointments
  • Going out in your community
  • Learning new skills so things feel easier over time

The support depends on you. Some people need a little help. Some people need help every day.

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Who is ADL for?

ADL may suit you if you:

  • Need help with personal care or daily routines
  • Need help around the house
  • Want help getting to appointments or running errands
  • Want to build skills and do more on your own
  • Have complex support needs and need regular help

Every person is different. At Afford, we take time to learn what matters to you.

Meet Samantha

Samantha has received ADL support from Afford.

Before that, she spent a lot of time at home on her own. Living with depression, anxiety and ADHD meant she stopped going out.

Samantha has support workers three days a week.

Samantha says her support worker helps with cooking and cleaning, but most of the time they head out into the community together.

Samantha loves getting her nails done, going to the movies and going to the gym. Her support workers help her stay motivated.

She also reached a big health goal. She has gone from 137 kilos down to 80 kilos.

Samantha says the support has been life-changing.

You can read Samantha’s full story on our website.

Meet Jean and Stephen

Jean and Stephen live together in one of our supported independent living (SIL) homes.

We help them with daily tasks, like taking their medication. We also drive them where they want to go in one of our cars.

But it is not just about chores. Stephen loves music and wants to be on the radio. We helped him get work experience at a local radio station.

This is what good daily support looks like. It helps with the everyday stuff, and it helps you chase the bigger things too.

How Afford matches you with the right support worker

The right support worker makes a big difference.

At Afford, we do not just send anyone. We take time to find someone who suits you.

Here is how it works:

  • We have a chat. You tell us about your goals, your routine and the things you enjoy.
  • We match you with a support worker. We think about your needs, your personality and what you like doing.
  • We check in. If something is not working, tell us. If your needs change, that is okay too. We can change your support.

Our support workers are experienced and trained. They know how to help with personal care, daily tasks and getting out in the community.

They also listen. You should feel comfortable with the person who supports you. If you do not, we want to know.

You can ask us questions at any time. You can also have your family, carer or support coordinator with you when we chat.

How does ADL work in your NDIS plan?

ADL usually sits in your core supports budget.

At Afford, there are two types of NDIS funding you can use for in-home support:

  • Assistance with personal and self-care activities
  • Assistance with social and community participation

You do not need NDIS funding to use our support. You can also pay with your own money. This is called self-funded, or fee-for-service.

Not sure what your plan covers? Talk to your plan manager, support coordinator or our friendly team.

women greeting her friends on street

What does ADL funding not pay for?

NDIS funding pays for support that relates to your disability.

It does not usually pay for:

  • Rent or mortgage
  • Bills
  • Groceries and food
  • Normal household items
  • Costs for activities you choose to do

Here is an easy way to think about it. A support worker can help you cook dinner. But the food itself is something you pay for.

The same goes for cleaning. A support worker can help you clean. But you buy the cleaning products.

ADL and improved daily living are not the same

These two sound alike, but they are different.

Assistance with daily living is practical help right now. A support worker helps you shower, cook or clean. It sits in core supports.

Improved daily living is about building skills over time. This might be a therapist helping you learn new ways to do things. It sits in capacity building.

Some people have both in their plan. It depends on your goals and funding.

man and woman in kitchen

Where Afford provides ADL

We have friendly in-home support teams in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

You can find your closest Afford location on our website.

How Afford can help

Afford has supported people with disability for over 75 years. We are a registered NDIS provider.

Our support can happen in your own home, out in the community, or in one of our SIL homes. Wherever suits you best.

We are just as excited about getting the chores done as we are about having fun. Life is better with a little backup.

Contact us today or call 1800 233 673. We love to say hello!

Other Afford services

ADL is one option. You might also like:

Not sure which one suits you? We can help you work it out.

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Yes. Our in-home support services are the same thing as assistance with daily living. Other names you might hear it called are ADL, daily living disability services and disability assisted daily living.

In-home support is a service where our friendly staff help you with daily tasks so you can live safely and independently in your own home. Support can include personal care, meal preparation, household chores, shopping, and building new skills. It is the same thing as assistance with daily living (ADL).

You can find out if you have funding for NDIS Assistance with Daily Life by reviewing your NDIS support plan. This funding category will be listed under your Core Supports, specifically labelled as “Assistance with Daily Life.” If you’re unsure, you can also contact your NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator for clarification.

Yes. You can pay for in-home support directly if you don’t have NDIS funding. If you do have an NDIS plan, our team can help you use the right funding to access support for daily living and personal care activities.

Support can be provided in your own home, in the community, or in a supported independent living (SIL) home. We work with you to support you wherever it suits you, your lifestyle and your needs. Tell us what you want, and we will make it happen.

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