NDIS Complex Care Supports for High Needs Participants
Compassionate, specialist NDIS support for participants with high-level physical, medical, and behavioural needs.
Complex care is more than just providing support. It’s about walking alongside individuals with high-level physical, mental or intellectual needs. It takes a dedicated team to provide specialised assistance to NDIS participants with care needs that require high-level support.
Complex care refers to specialised, high-intensity supports designed for people whose disabilities or health conditions require more than standard assistance. This includes support with medical procedures, behavioural needs, and multiple daily care tasks — often delivered by a team of trained professionals working together.
Unlike general disability care, complex care focuses on more than daily living. It can include clinical support, mental health and behaviour management, and ongoing therapies tailored to the participant’s unique needs. This type of care ensures every aspect of a person’s wellbeing — physical, emotional and social — is supported in a coordinated way.
Complex care services are designed to support individuals with a wide range of complex needs. These needs can include anything from physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, mental health and chronic conditions.
The NDIS plays a crucial role in funding complex care services, enabling individuals to access the support they need for personal care, mobility and meal preparation. For those requiring a high level of support and care, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is available, providing a safe and supportive living environment. By working with a dedicated team of support workers, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals, individuals with complex care needs receive the necessary care and support to manage their conditions and enhance their overall well-being.
Key Features of Complex Care:
24/7 support or active overnight assistance
Medical and nursing care including PEG feeding, wound care, injections or catheter care
Behavioural and mental health support for complex psychosocial conditions
Assistive technology and home modifications to maintain safety and independence
Is Complex Care Funded by the NDIS?
The NDIS can fund complex care when it’s considered reasonable and necessary to help the participant pursue their goals and live safely. Supports may fall under several funding categories:
Core Supports
Funding for personal care tasks like feeding, toileting, mobility, bowel care, or overnight supervision. It can also support community access and household tasks.
Capacity Building Supports
Includes therapy (occupational, speech, psychology, physio), behaviour support plans, and training for carers. It may also fund a Support Coordinator to manage services.
Capital Supports
Used for assistive technology (wheelchairs, communication devices) and home modifications like ramps, hoists or accessible bathrooms. It may also include funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).
Every NDIS plan is tailored to the person’s needs — there’s no one-size-fits-all package. The type and amount of complex care funding depends on individual circumstances and the strength of supporting evidence.
Each of Maple’s NDIS complex care services goes beyond basic support. They become lifelines that open up new worlds of possibility. At Maple, our unwavering belief that everyone deserves to live with dignity and independence is reflected in the way we deliver our complex care services with respect towards every unique participant we work with. Our services also emphasise community engagement, fostering independence and connectivity among individuals.
With the help of the NDIS and our dedicated team, our participants are not just surviving; they are thriving. We constantly adapt our systems to their needs and champion their aspirations.
What Qualifications Are Needed to Deliver Complex Care?
Because complex care involves sensitive medical and behavioural tasks, providers must meet high standards.
At Maple, we ensure:
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NDIS Registration for relevant support categories
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Trained and experienced staff, including nurses and disability support workers with additional high-intensity care training
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Clinical oversight, with registered nurses guiding and supervising delegated care
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Experience with similar conditions, from degenerative illness to autism with challenging behaviours
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Emergency readiness, including 24/7 support systems and staff trained in first aid and crisis response
What Complex care supports are available under NDIS?
The main types of complex care services available under the NDIS include:
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provides specialised housing that is designed to accommodate severe functional impairments or very high support needs of participants.
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) where participants receive round-the-clock support to manage their daily tasks.
- High Intensity Daily Personal Activities (HIDPA) to help break down barriers by managing mobility issues, personal care, or health challenges.
- Behaviour support plans to understand and address individual needs, offering effective strategies for managing behaviours.
- Therapeutic support such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology to enhance physical abilities, communication and overall health.
- Assistive technology and equipment from communication devices to mobility aids, to help people with complex needs interact more effectively.
- Home modifications under the NDIS include everything from ramps and handrails to widened doorways, ensuring that living spaces are safe, accessible, and welcoming.
What Complex care can Maple provide?
At Maple, our range of complex care services are tailored to meet the needs of each of our participants. Our services are designed to support our clients with high and complex needs to live as independently as possible. Some of the complex care services that Maple can provide include:
- Specialised nursing care for medical needs such as wound care, medication management, and chronic disease.
- Personal care and assistance with daily living such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Therapeutic support including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychological services.
- Complex behavioural support including behaviour intervention plans and specialised support workers.
- Respiratory support management including ventilator support and tracheostomy care.
- Palliative care to ensure comfort and support for individuals and their families.
- Mobility support including assistive devices and equipment.
- Support with meal preparation, specialised feeding methods and dietary management.
- Skill development to enhance daily living skills, social skills and community participation.
- Transport assistance to enable participation in community activities and appointments.
Why choose Maple for Complex care services?
Participants living with complex care needs often require comprehensive support tailored to their unique circumstances. For example, someone living with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS) might face significant mobility challenges and muscle weakness that requires high-intensity daily personal care. This could include specialised assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, and eating, provided by caregivers skilled in handling these specific needs. Their home may be equipped with modifications such as stair lifts, grab bars, and adjustable beds to enhance safety and accessibility. Additionally, ongoing therapies like occupational and speech therapy play a crucial role in maintaining their cognitive and communication abilities.
Despite these challenges, with a dedicated complex care team they can remain actively engaged in their community and lead a fulfilling life. Navigating systems like the NDIS and accessing necessary support services can feel overwhelming, but help is available to ease the burden and ensure appropriate care. If you want to reach out to an expert, we’re always here to offer support in whatever way we can.Our Support Coordinators can help you to discover the right services and providers for you and our holistic approach ensures overall well-being by integrating physical, emotional, and social support.
Do I qualify for NDIS Complex care?
Qualifying for NDIS complex care involves meeting several criteria related to your disability, age, residency, and specific needs. NDIS participants with high care needs can access tailored support and complex care solutions designed to enable them to live independently while receiving the necessary assistance. You will need to submit an Access Request Form to the NDIS to formally start the application process and provide documentation from your healthcare professionals detailing your disability.
An NDIS planner will assess individuals for high complex needs funding, evaluating their functional capacity and support needs to create a tailored plan that addresses specific care requirements. Effective NDIS planning is crucial for individuals with complex care needs. It can unlock essential support and resources, empowering individuals to achieve confidence and independence in their lives. You can take our NDIS eligibility quiz in this link here to determine whether you are eligible.You can take our NDIS eligibility quiz in this link here to determine whether you are eligible.
How to Get NDIS Complex Care Funding
1. Apply for NDIS Access
If you’re not already a participant, you’ll need to apply with evidence of your disability and functional impact.
2. Gather Strong Medical Evidence
Ask your doctors, therapists, and carers to provide detailed reports showing why standard supports aren’t enough. The more specific your evidence, the better.
3. Prepare for Your Planning Meeting
Describe your daily needs clearly. Bring reports and highlight why you need specialised care, overnight support, or trained workers. A Support Coordinator or advocate can help here.
4. Review Your NDIS Plan
Once approved, check your plan to ensure all agreed supports are included. If something is missing, request a plan review.
5. Keep Your Plan Updated
Needs can change. Review your plan regularly and request changes when necessary.
Can you use NDIS funding for Complex care?
The NDIS recognises that participants with complex health needs require higher-skilled care. That’s why there's additional funding and stricter provider requirements to ensure: Participant safety Quality of life Allied health oversight Trained and competent staff If you are an NDIS participant in need of complex care to help you live a fulfilling and independent lifestyle, then the NDIS can provide you with the funding to utilise Maple’s complex care services tailored specifically for individuals with high care needs. An NDIS planner plays a crucial role in assessing individuals for high complex needs funding under the NDIS, evaluating a person's functional capacity and support needs to create a tailored plan that addresses specific care requirements. Effective NDIS planning is essential for individuals with complex care needs, as it can unlock essential support and resources, empowering individuals to achieve confidence and independence in their lives.
Dedicated Complex Care Team
Complex care is one of Maple’s core services. We build multidisciplinary teams tailored to your needs — nurses, therapists, behavioural practitioners, and experienced support workers.
24/7 Flexibility
We offer overnight, live-in and emergency support, with the capacity to scale up care when you need it most.
We customise care to your preferences, routines, and goals. Your voice matters in every decision.
Collaborative Approach
We work with your medical and allied health team to ensure seamless, coordinated care. We support more than your physical needs. From day programs and therapy to life skills and community access, our support empowers you to live fully.
Let's Build A Plan That Works For You
If you or someone you love needs high-level NDIS care, Maple is here to help. Our friendly team will walk you through the process — from understanding eligibility, to gathering evidence, to securing the right supports.
We believe in empowering people with complex needs to live meaningful, independent lives. With Maple, you don’t just get a provider, you get a committed partner in care.
Get in touch today to explore how Maple can support your complex needs.
Enquire Today
Whether its a query about the services we provide, or just a general enquiry, we would love to hear from you!