Shared living can be a great fit for some NDIS participants — not just because it’s “accommodation”, but because it can offer structure, companionship, and the right kind of practical support to make everyday life feel more manageable. At the same time, living with other people can bring its own challenges: different routines, sensory needs, communication styles, privacy expectations, and the reality that “simple” tasks (meals, cleaning, medication routines) often become more complex when they’re shared.
That’s why the NDIS category often described as “daily tasks/shared living” matters. It’s less about doing a checklist of chores, and more about setting up day-to-day life so you can live as independently as possible, with the right level of support around the tasks that are difficult or unsafe to do alone.
What “daily tasks/shared living” actually covers
In plain terms, daily living supports are there to help with personal tasks and domestic routines — the stuff that keeps a home (and a day) running. The NDIS describes “assistance with daily life” as support or supervision of personal tasks that helps a participant live as independently as possible, and it can be delivered in different environments, including your own home.
When someone lives with housemates, in a group home, or in another shared arrangement, the supports may also include help navigating shared spaces and shared routines. On the practical side, that might mean support with:
- personal care routines (like showering, grooming, dressing)
- meal planning and cooking
- daily medication routines (where that assistance is part of the agreed supports and delivered safely)
- housekeeping and laundry
- day structure and routines
- social interactions and shared-space expectations (like noise, kitchen use, boundaries, and respectful communication)
A useful way to think about it: daily tasks supports sit at the intersection of health and safety, habit and routine, and skills for independence. In shared living, all three matter.
Shared living is not one “thing”
Shared living isn’t a single model. Some people live in a group home with on-site support. Others share with one housemate and receive help at certain times. Some arrangements include independent units with occasional support, while others involve higher levels of daily assistance. The right fit depends on your goals, functional needs, and what’s funded in your plan.
The point is that “shared living” should not automatically mean “less choice” or “less privacy.” A well-run arrangement makes room for both: the support you need and the home life you want.
The day-to-day realities that make or break a shared home
If you’ve lived with others before, you already know the basics: routines, communication, and boundaries can either reduce stress or amplify it. With disability supports involved, those everyday dynamics can become even more important — because small friction points often show up in the same places, repeatedly.
Routines are support (not just structure)
Routines aren’t about control. They’re about reducing cognitive load and uncertainty. In shared living, a consistent rhythm can help with:
- getting ready at a predictable pace
- preparing meals safely and with less overwhelm
- keeping hygiene and laundry manageable
- building in rest time (especially if fatigue or sensory overload is a factor)
- keeping appointments and community activities on track
Good routines should be adjustable — because needs change. A plan that can’t flex when someone’s health fluctuates, when a housemate moves out, or when supports need to be rearranged is a plan that won’t last.
Privacy isn’t optional
Privacy needs vary: some people need more quiet, some need a defined personal space, and some need clear rules around visitors. In practice, “respect for privacy” means concrete agreements: when bedrooms are off-limits, how support workers enter shared areas, how personal information is handled, and what’s OK to discuss in front of other residents.
Shared spaces need shared rules (and shared repair)
Kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms are where stress tends to land. A workable shared living arrangement often includes simple, explicit expectations — plus a way to repair conflict early. That might include agreed house rules, visual schedules, communication supports, or a regular check-in where people can raise concerns without it becoming personal.
Support that builds skills, not dependence
One of the easiest traps in “daily tasks” support is unintentionally creating dependence: if support is delivered as “we’ll do it for you” every time, the participant may miss the chance to practise and build confidence.
Skill-building doesn’t have to mean big goals. In shared living, it often looks like:
- learning one step of meal prep at a time
- practising a weekly budgeting routine (if relevant to goals)
- rehearsing how to ask for space or negotiate shared chores
- building consistency with medication prompts (where appropriate)
- gradually increasing participation in household tasks that match capacity
That’s also why the NDIS focuses on supports that enable independence in daily life — the “how” of support delivery matters, not just the “what.”
Fitting daily tasks/shared living support into an NDIS plan
Even when you know what you need, the planning side can be confusing. A practical approach is to work backwards from outcomes:
- Identify the risk points. What becomes unsafe or unmanageable without support (e.g., showering, cooking, medication routines, staying regulated in shared areas)?
- Name the participation goal. What does a “good week” look like: more consistency, more confidence, fewer conflicts, better health, more community time?
- Define what support looks like. How often, at what times, and whether it’s hands-on help, supervision, or prompts.
- Build in review points. What should change if capacity improves, if a housemate arrangement changes, or if needs increase?
Some providers also describe working alongside participants, families, and support coordinators to shape routines, align supports to plan goals and funding, collaborate with other services, and adjust supports as needs evolve.
If you’re comparing providers for Sydney-based support, it can help to look for clarity on exactly which tasks they support in shared settings and how they approach routines, privacy, and shared-space skills. One example of a service description that spells this out is this overview of daily tasks and shared living supports.
What to watch for when assessing whether shared living is working
Shared living can be a great long-term setup — but it should still be evaluated like any other support arrangement. Signals that things are tracking well often include:
- fewer “crisis mornings” and more predictable routines
- improved comfort using shared spaces
- increased participation in household tasks (at the participant’s pace)
- stable relationships with housemates (or, at least, workable ways to resolve issues)
- supports that change as needs change — rather than staying rigid
On the flip side, persistent stress, repeated conflict, or a sense that support is happening to someone rather than with them is a sign something needs adjusting — whether that’s routines, staffing consistency, communication supports, or the living arrangement itself.
Key Takeaways
- “Daily tasks/shared living” support is about making everyday life manageable and safe, while building independence where possible.
- Shared living varies widely — the best fit depends on support needs, goals, and how the home is set up.
- Routines, privacy, and shared-space agreements are the foundations of a stable shared home.
- The quality of support delivery matters: prompts and skill-building can be as important as hands-on help.
- Regular reviews keep supports aligned as needs, goals, and living dynamics change.