Short answer: yes, sometimes. Lawn mowing is one of those NDIS questions that gets a "maybe" a lot, mostly because the actual rule is more specific than people expect. Here's what it comes down to.
The rule that actually decides it
Lawn mowing sits under Household Tasks in your Core Supports budget, alongside things like cleaning and laundry. To be funded, three things need to be true: you can't do the task yourself because of your disability, the job doesn't need a licensed tradesperson, and it's genuinely tied to your functional capacity, not just something you'd rather not do yourself.
That last point trips people up. The NDIS isn't there to cover chores everyone deals with. It's there because your disability specifically stops you from doing this one.
What's covered
- Mowing an existing lawn
- Basic trimming and edging
- Clearing paths so your home stays safe and accessible
- Green waste removal from the job itself
What isn't covered
- New turf, garden beds, or other landscaping projects (support has to be functional, not aesthetic)
- Materials: mulch, soil, fertiliser, pesticides all come out of your own pocket
- Retaining walls, paving, or anything needing a licensed tradesperson
Worth knowing: the NDIS funds the labour, not the products. If a job needs new soil or plants on top of the mowing, that part's on you.
Getting it into your plan
If it's not already funded, it usually comes down to how clearly the request is tied to your disability. Vague requests get knocked back more than specific ones. Our support coordination team can help you put the request together properly the first time, rather than going back and forth with the NDIA over wording.
If it's already in your plan, our disability care service includes lawn mowing and basic garden upkeep alongside personal care and domestic assistance: one worker, one schedule, instead of juggling a separate provider for the yard.