Start the hours worksheet or use the budget-priorities guide first, or contact Smurfettes.
This NDIS cleaning budget hours calculator is a printable, hours-only worksheet. It divides a participant-set amount for direct indoor cleaning labour by an actual agreed hourly rate. It does not check whether cleaning is funded, reserve money, read a live plan balance, include every possible charge or replace the NDIA budget calculator.
1. Confirm this tool fits the quote
- [ ] the quote uses a clear hourly rate for direct cleaning labour
- [ ] the rate and its effective date are written down
- [ ] separate proposed amounts can be identified
- [ ] the participant has chosen an amount to test
Do not use the formula as a final answer for a per-visit, package, mixed-unit or unclear quote. Ask the provider to clarify the price basis first.
2. Keep eligibility separate from calculation
The worksheet performs arithmetic only. Before relying on a scenario, confirm that the proposed assistance is an NDIS support for the participant, relates to disability and is in line with the current plan and rules. Use the funding guide for that separate decision.
The NDIA’s supports guidance should be read with the individual plan.
3. Record the source and date for every input
Plan or budget period being considered: _____________________________________________
Balance or allocation source and date checked: ______________________________________
Quote provider, version and date: _________________________________________________
Person choosing the test amount and authority: ______________________________________
A stale balance, expired quote or unsupported estimate should not be presented as current.
4. Set the amount available for the scenario
A. Relevant amount shown by the chosen record: _____________________________________
B. Other committed supports from the same flexible amount: ____________________________
C. Pending invoices or claims not reflected in A: ____________________________________
D. Participant-set buffer or amount not allocated to cleaning: ___________________________
E. Amount to test for proposed direct cleaning labour: A minus B minus C minus D = __________
Use only values the participant or authorised budget decision-maker has verified. This worksheet does not choose E.
5. Record the agreed hourly rate
F. Written hourly rate for direct cleaning labour: _____________________________________
Rate source: accepted quote / agreement / written variation
Rate start and review date: ________________________________________________________
Do not enter a remembered Smurfettes rate, another provider’s price or an NDIS maximum as if it were the agreed quote. Use the actual written cleaning quote.
6. Identify amounts this hours formula excludes
- products or equipment shown separately
- provider travel shown separately
- non-face-to-face activity shown separately
- tax shown separately
- cancellation, failed access or another conditional amount
- any non-hourly component
If an excluded amount is expected to come from the same chosen allocation, account for it before setting E. Do not divide a mixed total by the labour rate and call the result service hours.
7. Calculate indicative direct service hours
Formula: E divided by F = G
E. Amount to test: __________________
F. Agreed hourly labour rate: __________________
G. Indicative direct cleaning hours: __________________
Check the arithmetic with a calculator. Round only for planning and record the unrounded result where needed; a fractional result is not a confirmed bookable service quantity.
8. Convert hours into an indicative visit count
H. Proposed direct cleaning hours per visit: _________________________________________
Formula: G divided by H = I
I. Indicative number of visits: _____________________________________________________
A visit count must still fit provider scheduling, the agreed minimum or quantity terms, the participant’s task scope and the remaining period. The calculation does not create availability.
9. Compare frequency scenarios
Scenario one frequency and hours per visit: _________________________________________
Scenario one indicative period covered: _____________________________________________
Scenario two frequency and hours per visit: _________________________________________
Scenario two indicative period covered: _____________________________________________
Use the weekly-versus-fortnightly comparison if those are the choices. Keep the essential task list constant when comparing.
10. Sense-check the result against tasks
- [ ] essential rooms and tasks are ranked
- [ ] proposed hours are not treated as an unlimited whole-home instruction
- [ ] assessment-only work remains separate
- [ ] another resident’s private cleaning is excluded
- [ ] the provider has assessed the exact address and scope
If the essential list cannot realistically fit the scenario, change the proposed scope or frequency rather than hiding the mismatch.
11. Compare with official tools and records
The NDIA’s budget calculator can estimate funds or support hours over a remaining plan period. The NDIA says its result is indicative, may be affected by payment delays and is not a reasonable-and-necessary decision.
Reconcile this worksheet with current portal, plan-manager or self-managed records as applicable. Keep pending claims visible.
12. Record the decision and review trigger
Scenario selected by the authorised person: _________________________________________
Reason linked to task priorities: ____________________________________________________
Provider confirmation still required: ________________________________________________
Review trigger: new quote / invoice mismatch / plan change / balance change / task change / date: ______
Store the inputs, calculation and decision date. Recalculate when any input changes.
Check current official information
The official sources for this worksheet were reviewed on 4 September 2026. Recheck the NDIA pages on the budget calculator, Core supports, management options and pricing arrangements because inputs and rules can change.