A basket of washing or a busy kitchen can involve more decisions than it first appears. Where do you start? What comes next? Which parts would be easier with support?
Building NDIS daily living skills starts with choosing a task that matters to you, breaking it into smaller steps and finding a routine that suits your needs. You might want to prepare your own lunch, find clean clothes more easily or keep your favourite space organised.
Independence can include using equipment, reminders and support from another person. The aim is to have more choice and control over daily life, with the assistance you need.
Start with one household goal
Choose one task before creating a whole weekly routine. Make the goal specific enough that you can recognise progress.
For example:
- “I want to sort my washing before laundry day.”
- “I want to prepare one lunch I enjoy.”
- “I want to put my keys and bag in the same place.”
Decide which steps you want to practise and which you want help with. You may be comfortable folding clothes while someone else handles lifting a wet washing basket.
If you support someone else, ask about their priorities before choosing a goal. A task that matters to the person gives the routine a useful purpose.
Break laundry into a clear sequence
“Do the washing” is a large instruction. A short sequence makes the individual jobs easier to identify.
A simple laundry routine
- Collect the clothes you want to wash.
- Check pockets and clothing care labels, with help if needed.
- Sort items according to their washing instructions.
- Load the machine without exceeding its capacity.
- Add the correct detergent amount and choose the suitable setting, following the product and appliance instructions.
- Start the wash and set a reminder to check when it finishes.
- Dry the clothes in a way suited to their care labels.
- Fold or hang dry clothes and put them away.
Practise one part of this sequence at a time. You might start by matching socks or putting clean shirts in a drawer. Use the same wording or pictures each time if that makes the sequence easier to follow.
Ask for help with heavy loads, difficult controls or detergent handling when needed. Finishing every step alone is not a requirement for making progress.
Make meal preparation manageable
Start with a familiar meal and a preparation method that fits your skills, equipment and support needs. A sandwich, wrap or other simple meal can offer useful practice without introducing several new cooking tasks at once.
Try a “plan, prepare, tidy” routine
Plan: Choose the meal, check what is available and write a short shopping list. Consider food preferences and any dietary or mealtime requirements already identified in your care plan.
Prepare: Gather the ingredients and equipment before starting. Follow a short recipe or picture sequence. Agree which steps you will complete and where someone will assist, including any cutting or use of hot appliances.
Tidy: Put ingredients away appropriately, clear the preparation area and return equipment to its usual place.
Keep the first goal small. Preparing one part of lunch can be a useful starting point. Follow food labels and any individual mealtime plan, and seek guidance from your care team where you need it.
Organise your home around your routine
Choose a small area that affects your day: a bedside table, a kitchen shelf or the place where you leave your bag.
Give frequently used items a consistent, accessible home. Labels can use words, photographs or symbols, depending on what you find easiest to recognise. Keep the system age-appropriate and based on your preferences.
A simple end-of-day routine could be:
- Put keys in their usual place.
- Return the bag to its hook or shelf.
- Place worn clothes in the laundry basket.
- Check what you need for tomorrow.
Try the routine for a few days before adding more tasks. If an item keeps ending up elsewhere, reconsider its storage location.
Copy-and-print weekly routine planner
Use this starter planner as a guide. Change the days, tasks and support arrangements to suit you. A blank row is space to make your own choice.
| When | My task | My first step | Support or reminder | Completed or changed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Laundry | Collect clothes | Picture sequence; help with settings | __________ |
| Tuesday | Prepare lunch | Choose ingredients | Practise together | __________ |
| Wednesday | Organise one shelf | Choose where items belong | Labels or photographs | __________ |
| Thursday | Laundry | Sort clothes | Reminder; help if requested | __________ |
| Friday | Prepare lunch | Gather equipment | Agreed support for preparation | __________ |
| My choice | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
Make a visual chore chart
For one chosen task, create a short row of cards or boxes:
1. Collect clothes → 2. Sort → 3. Wash → 4. Dry → 5. Put away
Add a photograph or symbol that you recognise to each box, then tick or move the card as you complete that step. Use your own machine and storage spaces in photographs where helpful. If five steps feel too much, show only the step you are practising.
At the end of the week, ask: What felt easier? Where did I want more help? What would I like to practise again? Keep useful support in place and adjust the task when energy or needs change.
How NDIS support can help with household skills
Depending on your goals, disability-related needs and funding, a support worker can assist with household tasks and help you practise skills such as preparing meals and cleaning. The NDIS guide to support workers explains how this support can work.
Assistance with completing everyday tasks and support to develop skills may involve different parts of a plan. Check your available funding and any restrictions with your my NDIS contact or support coordinator before booking. The NDIS funding guide explains the distinction between Core and Capacity Building supports.
Ordinary living costs, including groceries and most general household items, remain your responsibility. See the NDIS home and living guide for details.
Take the next step towards ndis daily living skills that works for you
Choose one household task you would like to make easier this week. Bring that goal and your planner to a conversation with your support team.
Above & Beyond Carers offers life skills development support in Sydney. Contact the team to discuss your goals, the support you need and current availability.
