NDIS Support Worker Hourly Rates Melbourne (2026–27)

NDIS support worker rates for standard services such as personal care and daily activities start at $73.58 per hour on weekdays. Rates increase for evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. This amount is the maximum a registered provider can charge, but the actual fee may vary depending on the type of support, timing, and how the service is delivered.

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Current NDIS Support Worker Hourly Rates (2026–27)

Last updated: July 2026

Support Type	Weekday Daytime	Weekday Evening	Weekday Night	Saturday	Sunday	Public Holiday
Standard (personal care, daily activities, community participation)	$73.58	$81.07	$82.57	$103.54	$133.50	$163.46
High Intensity (complex support needs)	$79.60	$87.70	$89.32	$112.01	$144.42	$176.84

Source: National Disability Insurance Scheme Pricing Schedule 2026-27, effective 1 July 2026, Schedule 1: Disability Support Workers (National price limits shown; Remote and Very Remote areas carry higher limits).

Weekday and Weekend Support Worker Rates

NDIS support worker rates increase in stages. Weekday daytime is the base rate, with higher rates for weekday evenings and nights. Rates are even higher on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, with public holidays being the most expensive. This pricing follows the penalty rates set by the support workers’ employment award.

When booking support, remember that the higher rate applies to the whole booking, not just part of it. For example, even a short Saturday morning visit is charged at the Saturday rate. To save money, consider scheduling non-urgent support on weekdays, as this can lead to significant savings over time.

What Affects NDIS Support Worker Hourly Rates?

The NDIS support worker hourly rate limit is not the same for everyone. It depends on several factors:

The type of support being delivered (standard personal care is priced differently to high-intensity support, for example)
The time of day and day of the week the support is delivered
Whether the support is one-to-one or shared across a group
The participant’s location, since remote and very remote areas carry a higher price limit
Whether the provider is registered, and how the participant’s plan is managed

Your support rate depends on when the service is provided, and the rate applies to the entire booking. Even a brief Saturday morning visit is charged at the full Saturday rate. If you are concerned about costs, booking non-urgent support on weekdays can help you save money over time.

Hilda Care is a registered NDIS provider, so our prices always stay within the set limits. You can be confident that the rates are fair.

What Is Included in an NDIS Support Worker Hourly Rate?

The hourly rate pays for the time your support worker spends providing the agreed support in your NDIS plan. This could include personal care, help around the house, going with you to an activity, or any other booked support.

A few things sit outside that hour and are usually charged separately, if they apply:

Travel-related costs may be charged separately depending on the support delivered, your agreement with the provider, and NDIS rules.
Non-face-to-face time, things like updating notes or liaising with your other providers, which some supports allow for and bill separately
Short-notice cancellation fees, charged if a booked shift is cancelled without enough notice, even though no support was delivered

Review your service agreement to know what is included and what may be billed separately. If you notice something unexpected on your invoice, it is reasonable to ask your provider or plan manager for an explanation.

Do NDIS Support Worker Rates Change Based on Your Plan Type?

Yes, but not always in the way you might expect.

NDIA-managed: You can only use a registered provider, and they must charge within the price limits
Plan-managed: Your plan manager pays invoices from registered or unregistered providers, though price limits still generally apply to what gets paid from your plan
Self-managed: You have more flexibility when negotiating supports directly with providers, provided the cost represents value for money and follows NDIS rules.

Because Hilda Care is a registered provider, our rates always follow the price limits, no matter how your plan is managed. You do not need to negotiate or check this with us.

Examples of NDIS Support Worker Costs

Here’s what that looks like in practice, using the Standard rates from the table above:

2 hours of weekday personal care (at $73.58/hr): $147.16
1 hour of weekday evening support (at $81.07/hr): $81.07
3 hours on a Saturday morning (at $103.54/hr): $310.62, since the whole visit is billed at the Saturday rate, even if it starts early
10 hours a week of weekday personal care, over a year: 10 hours x $73.58 x 52 weeks = $38,261.60

These are simple examples based on the Standard support rate. They do not include extra costs such as travel, non-face-to-face time, High Intensity support, or shifts during evenings, weekends, or public holidays, which can increase the yearly total. Your plan manager or support coordinator can help you work out the actual cost for your situation and how it fits your Core Supports budget.

How to Check the Latest NDIS Support Worker Rates

Because rates change each year, the best way to find the current rate for a specific support is to check the official NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document on the NDIS website. Your plan manager or support coordinator can also confirm the exact rate for a support item. Any provider you consider should be able to tell you the item code and rate for the support they offer.

Transparent NDIS Support Pricing With Hilda Care

Hilda Care provides clear information about support costs, so you always know what you are paying for.

Registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Rates set within the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
Invoices that show the item code and rate, not just a total
Straightforward answers if you’re unsure what something costs

If you want to book support instead of just checking costs, visit our Disability Support Workers in Melbourne page to find and match with a worker.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the average NDIS support worker hourly rate in Melbourne?

NDIS price limits are determined nationally, meaning the rate is consistent across major cities like Melbourne. A standard weekday rate in Melbourne matches the rate elsewhere in major city areas. Currently, the national rate is $73.58 per hour for standard weekday daytime support, with higher rates for evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays. Rates only go up in remote and very remote areas, which does not include Melbourne.

What affects NDIS support worker rates?

The rate is influenced by support type, time of day, day of the week, delivery method (one-to-one or group), participant’s location, and provider registration status. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits establish the maximum for each combination of these factors.

Does the NDIS Pay for Support Worker Costs?

Support worker time is typically funded through a participant’s Core Supports budget, as long as the support is related to their disability and included in their plan. The rate charged must also comply with the relevant NDIS price limit if the plan is managed by NDIA or, in most cases, plan-managed.

How much does an NDIS support worker cost?

It depends on the support type, timing, and how it’s delivered. The table above shows current price limits for standard support, and your plan manager or the NDIA can confirm the exact rate that applies to a specific booking.

Can NDIS providers charge different support worker rates?

Providers may charge different rates depending on the support delivered, but registered providers cannot charge above the applicable NDIS price limit.

Need Help Understanding Your NDIS Support Costs?

If an invoice does not look right or you want to know the expected support cost before booking, let us know what you are reviewing and we will help you understand it.