NDIS Funding Guide • 2026–27 claiming rules

Disability support worker shift rates depend on the schedule’s definitions of a particular support, not just the worker’s roster. For ordinary non-nursing weekday services, daytime generally covers 6 am to 8 pm, evening begins at 8 pm and night-time is a separate definition.

Reviewed 20 October 2026 • Pricing Schedule effective 24 September 2026 • Australian dollars • Guidance may change.

What does the NDIS mean by weekday daytime, evening and night?

Under Part 4 of the September 2026 schedule, a non-nursing weekday daytime support begins at or after 6 am and ends no later than 8 pm on the same weekday. A non-nursing weekday evening support begins at or after 8 pm and ends by midnight of that weekday. Weekday night is generally a qualifying support beginning on or before midnight and ending after midnight into the following weekday, or a support beginning before 6 am and ending on that weekday.

The times are not interchangeable with nursing time bands, which use different definitions. A service delivered at 9 pm on an ordinary Tuesday and ending before midnight is generally an evening support; calling it an overnight shift in a roster is not sufficient to justify the night code.

Table: seven standard self-care prices and codes

These exact codes belong to standard self-care. SIL, community participation, high-intensity support and nursing may use their own code families even if the dollar amounts match.

One uninterrupted shift spanning two rate bands

Part 1, section 2.4(c), states that where a single worker delivers a support across different time-of-day or day-of-week boundaries, the higher applicable maximum amount applies to the whole support. This is a specific rule, not a direction to round hours up or to change one service into two bookings. For instance, one eligible standard self-care shift from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday crosses daytime and evening. The evening rate can apply to the full one-hour shift under that rule.

Where a worker handover or a different service occurs, check the facts separately rather than assuming the entire booking is one continuous shift. Keep start/end times, worker identity, the participant's activity and the applicable public holiday calendar.

When does Saturday, Sunday or public holiday pricing begin?

Saturday support starts at or after midnight entering Saturday and ends by midnight of Saturday; Sunday is analogous. A public holiday item depends on the recognised public holiday in the location where the support is delivered, including state, territory and regional holidays—not merely a holiday where the provider's office is located. Night-time sleepovers are treated separately. Verify whether a local event is a declared public holiday before selecting the higher item.

Why is a sleepover different from night-time hourly support?

A sleepover requires a continuous support period of at least eight hours crossing midnight, where the worker may sleep when not assisting the participant. It is normally an each item. If the worker must remain awake to give active supervision or care, review the appropriate hourly night support rather than automatically claiming the sleepover. A genuine overnight service is not necessarily a sleepover.

How the standard support rate changes across the week

The bars below compare the national hourly maximum for the same standard personal-care support. Higher weekend prices reflect the time category; they do not authorise more billable hours.

Examples and invoice checks

Two hours of standard weekday daytime self-care: 2 × $73.58 = $147.16 at the national maximum. Two hours on Sunday: 2 × $133.50 = $267.00. One hour on a public holiday: $163.46. Actual payable amounts can be lower by agreement. Other costs, ratios and funding restrictions must be considered independently.

Check the exact code, participant service, worker level, regional location, shift clock times and whether a single worker delivered a continuous support. Ask for evidence if an evening, night, weekend or public holiday rate seems inconsistent with the appointment.

Common questions

Sources and related articles

The official NDIA pricing schedules and 2026–27 support catalogue should be read together. The detailed charging rules for some services are not in the 96-page price schedule. Where prior 2025–26 arrangements are explained, this is labelled as historical information, not presented as a confirmed new 2026–27 rule. Start with the full price guide.

Independent general information prepared by Beyond Health Services. It is not NDIA advice or an individual funding decision.