Introduction
Living with a chronic wound can be overwhelming, especially when daily activities are already challenging. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises wound care as a specialised nursing service that can be delivered in the comfort of your home. In Perth, participants can access qualified nurses who assess, treat and monitor wounds, helping to reduce infection risk and promote healing. This guide explains who can receive the service, what it covers, how it is funded and the steps to start receiving care.
What the support is and who it helps
Wound care services under the NDIS are provided by registered nurses or qualified wound‑care specialists. The support includes:
* Initial assessment of the wound type, size and stage.
* Development of an individualised care plan that aligns with the participant’s goals.
* Dressing changes, cleaning, and application of appropriate wound‑care products.
* Ongoing monitoring, documentation and adjustment of treatment as the wound heals.
* Education for the participant and their carers on wound‑management techniques.
The service is designed for people whose disability or medical condition results in chronic or complex wounds that require regular professional attention. This includes individuals with spinal cord injury, pressure injuries, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds that are not healing, and other long‑term skin breakdowns that impact daily living.
Eligibility and access rules
To access NDIS wound care services, a participant must meet the following criteria:
1. **NDIS eligibility** – The person must already be an NDIS participant with an approved plan.
2. **Functional impact** – The wound must affect the participant’s functional capacity, independence or health outcomes.
3. **Reasonable and necessary** – The support must be deemed reasonable and necessary under the NDIS Act. This means it should be linked to the participant’s disability, aim to improve function, and be the most appropriate way to achieve the goal.
4. **Evidence‑based assessment** – A qualified health professional (e.g., GP, specialist, or wound‑care nurse) must provide clinical evidence that ongoing professional wound care is required.
If a participant’s current plan does not include wound care, they can request a plan review or submit a new support request through their planner or support coordinator.
What’s included and what’s not included
**Included services**
* Registered nurse or wound‑care specialist visits (in‑home) as outlined in the participant’s plan.
* All dressings, bandages, and consumables required for the agreed frequency of care.
* Documentation of wound progress and communication with the participant’s GP or specialist.
* Education for the participant, family or carer on wound‑prevention and self‑care techniques.
**Not included**
* Over‑the‑counter wound products that can be purchased independently without a nurse’s involvement.
* Non‑clinical cleaning supplies (e.g., regular household cleaning agents).
* Hospital‑based wound care that is covered by public health services.
* Travel costs that exceed the limits set in the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, unless specifically approved.
Funding and planning considerations
Wound care is funded under the **Therapeutic Supports** category of the NDIS. When a participant’s plan is being developed, the planner will consider:
* **Frequency of visits** – Determined by the wound’s complexity and healing trajectory. Typical plans allow weekly or fortnightly visits, but higher‑frequency care may be approved for severe cases.
* **Duration of each visit** – The NDIS pricing schedule outlines a standard hourly rate for nursing services. The total funded hours will reflect the time needed for assessment, dressing change, documentation and education.
* **Consumables** – All dressings and related products used during the nurse’s visit are covered, provided they are listed in the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
* **Plan reviews** – If the wound improves or worsens, the participant can request a plan amendment to adjust the funded hours.
For more information on how to choose the right wound‑care products, you may find this article helpful: Wound Care Services in Melbourne. It outlines product selection that aligns with NDIS pricing rules, which can be applied similarly in Western Australia.
How to request or activate the support
1. **Discuss with your planner or support coordinator** – Explain the need for wound care, provide medical reports and ask for the support to be added to your plan.
2. **Obtain a service provider** – Choose a registered nurse or wound‑care agency that delivers services in Perth. You can search for qualified providers on the NDIS Provider Register.
3. **Submit a service request** – Once the provider is selected, submit a request through the NDIS portal, attaching the nurse’s quote and the clinical evidence.
4. **Plan approval** – After the NDIS reviews the request, the approved funding will appear in your plan’s Therapeutic Supports budget.
5. **Schedule appointments** – Contact the provider to arrange the first visit. The nurse will conduct an initial assessment, confirm the care schedule and begin treatment.
6. **Monitor and review** – Keep a record of wound progress. If changes are needed, your nurse can liaise with your planner to adjust the funded hours.
A practical guide on finding the right nurse can be found here: How to Find the Best Wound Care Nurse in Wyndham. Although the article focuses on another region, the steps for vetting providers are universally applicable.
Local context – Perth and surrounding suburbs
Perth’s metropolitan area offers a range of home‑based nursing agencies that specialise in wound care. Residents of suburbs such as **Point Cook**, **Tarneit** and **Werribee** can access the same services, with many providers covering the whole western corridor. The proximity of these suburbs to major hospitals means that nurses can quickly coordinate with specialist teams when a participant’s wound requires hospital‑based intervention. Local community health centres also often collaborate with NDIS‑approved wound‑care providers, ensuring seamless hand‑over between public health services and private nursing support.
People also ask
Can I use my own wound‑care products with NDIS funding?
Only products that are part of the nurse‑provided service and listed in the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits are funded. Personal purchases are not covered unless they are prescribed by the nurse as part of the plan.
How often will a nurse visit for a chronic pressure injury?
Frequency is decided during the planning stage and depends on wound severity. Commonly, weekly visits are approved, but more frequent care may be funded for severe or rapidly changing wounds.
Is wound care covered if I am also receiving hospital treatment?
Hospital‑based wound care is funded by the public health system. NDIS funding covers additional home‑based nursing that complements hospital treatment, provided it is listed as a reasonable and necessary support.
Do I need a support coordinator to add wound care to my plan?
A support coordinator can help streamline the request, but you can also discuss the need directly with your planner during a plan review.
What records does the nurse keep for my wound?
The nurse documents wound measurements, dressing type, any signs of infection and progress notes. These records are shared with your GP and can be added to your NDIS plan as evidence of ongoing need.
This article is general information only. Check your plan and speak with your planner or support coordinator.