The Short Answer

They are two different services, provided by different companies.

NDIS cleaning = general domestic assistance (vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, kitchens). NDIS carpet cleaning = specialist deep steam cleaning of carpets, upholstery, rugs and mattresses using truck-mounted equipment. Both can be funded under Core Supports in a single NDIS plan — but you need a different provider for each.

What is NDIS cleaning (general)?

When most people hear "NDIS cleaning," they think of general domestic assistance — the regular, routine tasks involved in keeping a home clean and tidy. This is a common funded support for participants who have difficulty managing household tasks independently due to their disability.

General NDIS cleaning typically includes:

  • Vacuuming floors (running a vacuum over carpets and hard floors)
  • Mopping and sweeping hard floors
  • Cleaning bathrooms and toilets
  • Cleaning kitchens (benchtops, stovetop, sink)
  • Dusting surfaces and furniture
  • General tidying and putting things away
  • Laundry and ironing (in some plans)

These services are provided by domestic cleaning companies — typically visiting regularly (weekly or fortnightly) to maintain baseline cleanliness in the home.

What is NDIS carpet cleaning (specialist)?

NDIS carpet cleaning is something entirely different. It refers to professional deep cleaning using industrial-grade hot water extraction (steam cleaning) equipment — the kind of thorough, high-powered clean that removes deeply embedded dirt, dust mites, allergens and bacteria from carpet fibres, upholstery, rugs and mattresses.

NDIS carpet cleaning typically includes:

  • Carpet steam cleaning using truck-mounted equipment
  • Upholstery cleaning (sofas, armchairs, dining chairs)
  • Rug cleaning (Persian, wool, synthetic — cleaned on-site)
  • Mattress sanitising and deep cleaning
  • Stain and odour treatment

These services are provided by specialist carpet cleaning companies — typically less frequently (every 3–12 months) for thorough periodic maintenance rather than routine weekly visits.

🧹 NDIS General Cleaning

  • Vacuuming floors
  • Mopping hard floors
  • Bathroom & toilet cleaning
  • Kitchen cleaning
  • Dusting surfaces
  • General tidying
  • Provided by domestic cleaners
  • Weekly or fortnightly visits

🚛 NDIS Carpet Cleaning

  • Carpet steam cleaning
  • Upholstery cleaning
  • Rug cleaning (all types)
  • Mattress sanitising
  • Stain & odour treatment
  • Allergen & dust mite removal
  • Provided by specialist cleaners
  • Every 3–12 months

Side-by-side comparison

Feature NDIS General Cleaning NDIS Carpet Cleaning
What it covers Vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, kitchens Carpet, upholstery, rugs, mattresses
Equipment used Vacuum, mop, cleaning products Truck-mounted steam extraction
Provider type Domestic cleaning company Specialist carpet cleaning company
Frequency Weekly or fortnightly Every 3–12 months
NDIS category Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Living Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Living
Removes dust mites No (vacuuming reduces but does not eliminate) Yes (hot water extraction kills and removes mites)
Deep stain removal No Yes
Can have both? ✓ Yes — both can be funded in the same NDIS plan

Can I have both in my NDIS plan?

Yes. Both general NDIS cleaning and specialist NDIS carpet cleaning fall under the same support category — Core Supports — Assistance with Daily Living — and both can be funded within a single plan.

In practice, many NDIS participants have:

  • A regular domestic cleaner (weekly or fortnightly) for general household maintenance
  • A specialist carpet cleaner (every 3–6 months) for deep cleaning of carpets, upholstery and mattresses

These are not competing services — they serve different functions. Your plan manager or support coordinator can help ensure funding covers both.

Does my general cleaner steam-clean carpets? Almost certainly no. General domestic cleaners vacuum carpets as part of their regular visit, but they do not carry or operate truck-mounted steam extraction equipment. Deep carpet cleaning requires specialist machinery. If you want your carpets professionally steam-cleaned, you need a separate specialist provider like Right Price Carpet Cleaning.

Why does this distinction matter?

The confusion between these two types of services leads to some participants thinking their carpets are "getting cleaned" regularly when they're only being vacuumed. Vacuuming removes surface debris but does not:

  • Kill dust mites embedded in carpet fibres
  • Remove allergens, bacteria or fungi from deep in the pile
  • Extract oils, food residue or biological matter from carpet
  • Remove or treat deep stains

For NDIS participants — particularly those with respiratory conditions, immune disorders or skin sensitivities — this distinction is clinically meaningful. Regular vacuuming maintains surface cleanliness; periodic professional steam cleaning provides the deep decontamination that actually reduces allergen load.

Who provides NDIS carpet cleaning in Melbourne?

Right Price Carpet Cleaning is a registered NDIS provider offering specialist carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, rug cleaning and mattress sanitising across Melbourne. We have been working with NDIS participants, support coordinators and plan managers since 2007.

We handle all invoicing directly — whether you're self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed. There are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket payments for eligible participants.

View our full NDIS service page →