How to read a ratio
Ratios are written as workers to participants:
- 1:1, one to one: one worker supports one participant
- 1:2 or 1:3: one worker supports two or three participants at the same time
- 1:4, 1:5 and higher: common in group programs and day programs where people need less individual help
- 2:1: two workers support one participant, for example for safe transfers or high risk behaviours of concern
How ratios change the price
When a support is delivered to a group at the same time, the NDIS pricing rules say the most a provider can claim from each participant is the hourly price limit divided by the number of people in the group. The provider makes a separate claim for each person, for the full time of the support, at that lower price.
For example, group activities in most of Australia have a standard weekday daytime limit of $73.58 an hour. In a 1:3 group, each person can be charged up to a third of that for each hour. That is why group supports stretch a budget further than one to one support.
When 2:1 support applies
Some people need two workers at once, for example for hoist transfers, complex health needs or behaviours that put people at risk. A provider should only claim more than one worker's time against your plan if every worker was directly involved in supporting you for the time claimed.
2:1 support is expensive, so the NDIA expects clear evidence, such as a manual handling assessment from an occupational therapist or a behaviour support plan, showing when and why two workers are needed.
Ratios in Supported Independent Living
In a shared SIL home, support is a mix of shared hours, where one worker supports several housemates, and individual hours just for you. Providers set this out in a roster of care, showing the ratio for each part of the day and night.
Ratios also appear in the 2026 reforms. The $215,030 benchmark for the high support needs plan variation is the government's measure of 24 hour support at a 1:3 shared ratio.
Ratios in day programs and community access
Group and centre based programs often run at ratios such as 1:3 or 1:5, and the provider should tell you the ratio for each activity. When the support is delivered at a centre, providers can also claim a centre capital cost of up to $2.71 an hour in most of Australia.
Group options matter more since the October 2026 funding reset, which reduces social, economic and community participation budgets by 50% at your next plan change. Sharing a worker in a group for some activities can make the funding last, as long as it still meets your needs.
Choosing the right ratio
- Ask the provider what ratio they will use, and put it in your service agreement
- Check the ratio is safe for your personal care, health and behaviour support needs
- Ask what happens if fewer people attend, and whether your share changes
- Mix ratios: one to one for some goals, a group for social activities
- Speak up if the ratio you are charged for is not the support you receive
For providers
Record the actual ratio delivered for every group session and divide claims correctly between participants. Only claim extra workers when each was directly supporting that participant. For supports in employment, the NDIA does not set the ratio; claim the ratio of support you actually provide, matched to the person's hours of work.