What Are PAPL Codes?
PAPL stands for Price Arrangements and Price Limits. PAPL codes (also called NDIS support item numbers) are the official billing codes used in the NDIS Support Catalogue. Every type of support delivered under the NDIS has a corresponding PAPL code that identifies what service was provided and sets the maximum price a provider can charge.
Using the correct PAPL code on your invoice is essential. Plan managers and the NDIA use these codes to process payments and verify that charges fall within the price limits set by the NDIS Price Guide.
How PAPL Codes Are Structured
Each PAPL code follows a specific format that identifies the support category, support item, and registration group. For example:
01_011_0107_1_1
01 = Support Category (Assistance with Daily Life)
011 = Support Item Group
0107 = Support Item
1 = Outcome Domain
1 = Level
The NDIS Support Catalogue 2025-26 v1.1 contains 631 support items across multiple categories including Core Supports, Capital Supports, and Capacity Building.
Common PAPL Codes for Support Workers
The most frequently used codes for personal care and community support workers fall under Category 01 (Assistance with Daily Life) and Category 04 (Assistance with Social and Community Participation). The applicable rate depends on the shift type:
- Weekday (Mon-Fri daytime): $70.23/hr
- Saturday: $98.83/hr
- Sunday: $127.43/hr
- Public Holiday: $156.03/hr
- Night (midnight-6am): $78.81/hr
Use our NDIS rate calculator to quickly compute your shift earnings based on hours worked and shift type.
Finding the Right PAPL Code
You can look up PAPL codes in the official NDIS Support Catalogue, published by the NDIA. However, manually searching through 631 items can be time-consuming and error-prone. Many support workers use tools like CareVoice to automatically match the correct code based on their shift description.
What Happens If You Use the Wrong Code?
Using an incorrect PAPL code can delay payment processing, trigger audit queries, or result in rejected claims. Plan managers verify that the code on your invoice matches the type of support funded in the participant's plan. Always double-check your codes, or use an automated tool to handle matching for you.
Let CareVoice Handle PAPL Codes
CareVoice includes the complete NDIS Support Catalogue 2025-26 v1.1. When you record a voice note about your shift, the AI automatically identifies the correct PAPL code based on the activities you describe. You always get to review the code before finalising your invoice. Combined with AI-generated progress notes, CareVoice eliminates the manual work of code lookup and invoice creation.