Why Slip Safety Matters in NDIS Homes 

Slips and falls are a serious concern in homes with smooth tiles or concrete floors. For NDIS participants, slippery surfaces can reduce mobility, confidence, and overall well-being.  

NDIS home modifications improve safety, independence, and mobility for people living with disabilities. Under the updated guidelines, there is still consistent funding for home modifications that improve safety and functionality, provided they are reasonable and necessary. 

In this guide, we explore non-slip coatings as a fast, cost-effective alternative to ripping out tiles—and the growing opportunities for tradies in the NDIS sector. 

Key Takeaways 

• Tile replacements are expensive, disruptive, and harder to get approved under NDIS funding 
  
• Non-slip coatings improve slip resistance with minimal inconvenience to residents 
  
• Non-slip coating installations are faster and more likely to stay within NDIS funding thresholds 
  
• Installing non-slip coatings creates real opportunities for tradies 

The Downsides of Ripping Out Tiles 

NDIS home modifications are changes made to a participant's home to improve safety and support independent living. These can include installing equipment or making changes to building structures, fixtures, or fittings.  

While ripping out worn tiles may seem like the obvious fix for slip hazards, it comes with major downsides that make it a less practical and less profitable service to offer in the NDIS sector. They include: 

1. Expense 

The cost of labour, materials, and disposal fees can quickly add up, bringing funding applications under scrutiny. 

2. Disruption 

A full tile removal and replacement project may take several days, blocking participants' access to areas of their home for extended periods. Dust and noise also create stress for your clients and caregivers. 

3. Structural Damage 

Removing tiles can damage the floor beneath them, causing uneven surfaces and incurring additional repairs. 

4. Funding Challenges 

The NDIS only funds home modifications that are deemed reasonable and necessary, so a full tile removal may not be easily approved. 

The NDIS Supports Code Guide categorises tile replacements as structural home modifications, which require full NDIA quote approval before work begins. If they involve structural changes (i.e., moving plumbing/electricals), they become complex home modifications (CHMs).  

Funding applications for a CHM requires assessment and certification by a home modification assessor and itemised quotes from qualified builders. Due to the complex requirements, full tile replacements are not commonly requested or funded. 

Best Alternative: Non-Slip Coatings 

Funding applications for tile replacements take longer to approve because high-cost supports incur rigorous assessment and approval processes. Sometimes, the NDIS may not cover the full scope if it's not deemed reasonable and necessary. 

For participants who want to improve floor safety, non-slip coatings are a practical alternative to ripping out tiles. Brands like Stellmann offer CSIRO-certified coatings that provide long-lasting traction to existing flooring.   

Non-slip coatings provide more opportunities for tradies to deliver cost-effective, compliant NDIS home modifications that stay within funding thresholds and reduce slip risks for residents. 

Further Reading: NDIS Home Modifications in 2026: What's Funded and How to Get Approved 

What Are Non-Slip Coatings? 

Non-slip coatings are specialised surface treatments you apply directly over existing floors to improve traction and reduce slip risks. They work on various surfaces, such as tiles, vinyl, timber, and concrete, without changing the floor's appearance. 

Professional application usually takes just a few hours with minimal disruption, allowing NDIS clients to continue using other areas safely.  

What are the Benefits of Non-Slip Coatings? 

Non-slip coatings offer a range of advantages for both tradies and clients. They include: 

• Affordability: Coatings are significantly cheaper than full tile replacements. 
  
• Fast installation: Applications are completed in hours, reducing labour costs and resident disruption. 
  
• Durability: Premium coatings are resistant to wear, moisture, and chemicals, ensuring long-lasting safety in wet or high-traffic areas 
  
• Customisation: Coatings come in various colours or completely clear finishes, with different slip-resistance levels to suit specific needs. 
  
• NDIS-compliance: They qualify as reasonable and necessary supports that reduce slip risks for participants with mobility challenges. 

Where Non-Slip Coatings Work Best

Source 

Here are some key areas in NDIS homes where non-slip coatings are especially useful for reducing fall risk to residents and carers: 

1. Bathrooms 

According to Safe Work Australia, bathrooms are among the highest-risk areas for slips in NDIS homes. Water, soap, and glazed tiles quickly reduce traction, increasing the risk of falls during everyday hygiene tasks and transfers. 

2. Kitchens 

Most kitchen floors are prone to water and oil spills, which make the tiles slippery. 

3. Entryways and Hallways 

Even in areas where the floor is clean and dry, high foot traffic can wear down the grip over time. The choice of flooring material (such as polished timber floors or loose rugs) and changes in height can also increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls. 

4. Outdoor Surfaces 

Patios, balconies, and ramps are slip hazards when wet. Slippery biofilm can also build up in shaded areas. 

5. Stairs 

Stairs with worn treads or very smooth surfaces are high-risk areas in NDIS homes. 

Slip-Resistance Compliance 

Slip safety is crucial for NDIS clients with reduced balance or mobility aids. Hence, NDIS home modifications must comply with national slip-resistance standards (AS 4586 or AS 4663) for pedestrian surfaces. 

Non-slip coatings help upgrade high-risk areas, such as bathroom or kitchen floors, stairways, and ramps, to the required slip ratings. CSIRO certification also helps tradies demonstrate compliance with NDIS funding requirements and give clients confidence that their homes are safe. 

Further Reading: P4 vs P5: Slip Resistance and Slip Ratings Explained 

FAQs 

Q1: Do Non-slip Coatings Create Opportunities for Tradies in Australia? 

Answer: 

Non-slip coatings offer steady opportunities for tradies in Australia to provide a simple, effective, and compliant solution for slip hazards in NDIS home modifications. Coatings are cost-effective and quick to install, allowing tradies to complete more jobs and reduce overall downtime.  

Q2: Are Non-slip Coatings Approved Under NDIS Home Modifications? 

Answer: 

Yes. The NDIS funds non-slip coating applications when they qualify as reasonable and necessary supports for the safety or mobility of an NDIS participant. High-quality, certified coatings also deliver specific slip ratings to meet Australian standards for slip resistance in high-risk areas.  

Q3: Why are Non-slip Coatings Better for NDIS Homes? 

Answer: 

Non-slip coatings apply directly to existing floors to improve friction and grip. They are easy to install, more affordable, and far less disruptive than full flooring replacements. With non-slip coatings, home modifications can stay within NDIS funding thresholds while still delivering safety improvements for participants.  

Conclusion 

Non-slip coatings are a durable and effective alternative to ripping out tiles in NDIS home modifications. They improve safety in high-risk areas without causing major disruption for residents. 

By improving slip safety through fast, cost-effective installation, non-slip coatings are often approved more quickly under NDIS funding. This ensures safer homes for participants and opens up real opportunities for tradies. 

The NDIS updated its guidelines in 2025. Find out which home modifications are still funded under the new NDIS focus.