For NDIS participants with complex health needs, accessing clinical nursing support at home can be the difference between living independently and needing residential care. The NDIS funds a range of nursing and health supports — including wound care and medication management — but many participants do not know exactly what is available or how to access it.
This guide explains what the NDIS covers for nursing care at home, with a focus on wound care and medication management for participants in Sydney and Western Sydney.
Does the NDIS Fund Nursing Care at Home?
Yes — the NDIS funds nursing and health supports when they are directly related to a participant's disability and when they are not the responsibility of the mainstream health system (Medicare, hospitals or GPs).
Nursing supports are funded under two categories:
Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Life: for routine nursing tasks that form part of daily support
Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living: for clinical assessments, training of carers and family members, and development of care plans
What Wound Care Does the NDIS Cover?
The NDIS can fund wound care and pressure injury management when the wound is related to a participant's disability — for example, a pressure injury resulting from limited mobility, or a wound that requires ongoing clinical management because the participant's disability affects their ability to self-manage.
NDIS-funded wound care may include:
Wound assessment — a qualified nurse assessing wound type, size, depth and infection risk
Wound cleaning and dressing — regular professional cleaning and application of appropriate dressings
Pressure injury prevention and management — repositioning support, specialist mattresses or cushions, and skin monitoring
Lymphoedema management — compression garments and appropriate wrapping
Carer and family training — teaching family members how to safely manage wounds between nurse visits
Wound care consumables — dressings, gauze, bandages and related supplies may be funded through the NDIS or the Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme
What Medication Management Does the NDIS Cover?
Medication management support is available when a participant is unable to safely manage their own medications due to their disability. This can include:
Medication prompting — reminding participants to take medications and confirming they have done so
Medication administration — qualified nurses administering medications that participants cannot self-administer, including injections (such as insulin or biologics) and infusions
Webster pack management — organising pre-packed medications and ensuring correct dosing schedules
Medication review support — coordinating with GPs and pharmacists to review and update medication regimes
Note: routine medication management that falls within the scope of primary healthcare (GP management) is generally not funded by the NDIS. The NDIS funds supports that specifically relate to a participant's disability.
Who Delivers NDIS Nursing Supports?
NDIS nursing supports must be delivered by appropriately qualified practitioners:
Registered Nurses (RN) — for complex wound care, medication administration, clinical assessments and care plan development
Enrolled Nurses (EN) — for many routine nursing tasks under RN supervision
Trained support workers — for lower-risk tasks like medication prompting, after receiving training from a qualified nurse
When selecting an NDIS provider for nursing supports, ensure they employ registered nurses (not just support workers) and have clear clinical governance processes in place.
How to Get NDIS Nursing Supports in Your Plan
To have wound care or medication management funded in your NDIS plan, you need clinical evidence that links the support to your disability. This typically includes:
A letter from your GP or specialist confirming the clinical need for nursing support at home
A nursing assessment documenting current wound status, medication needs and recommended frequency of visits
Evidence that the support is disability-related — not simply a health need that falls within mainstream health services
If you already have nursing supports in your plan but they feel inadequate, speak with your support coordinator about requesting a plan review with updated clinical evidence.
NDIS Nursing and Complex Care in Western Sydney
Bopha Cares provides NDIS nursing and complex care services to participants across Western Sydney — including Blacktown, Stanhope Gardens, the Hills District, Parramatta and surrounding suburbs.
Our qualified nursing team delivers wound care, medication management and health monitoring in your home — with the clinical expertise to handle complex conditions and the compassion to make every interaction dignified and respectful.
We work closely with your GP, specialists and allied health team to ensure your care plan reflects your full health picture. Call us on 0452 330 837 to discuss your nursing support needs.