HELPFUL INFORMATION
FAQs & Service Information
Simple answers for clients, NDIS participants, support coordinators and support workers.
A QUICK REFERENCE FOR SUPPORT TEAMS
Support Coordinators & Providers
Looking for practical food and cooking support for a participant? Here’s the information you can share with your team.
What I provide
- Personalised food and cooking education linked to the person’s interests and goals
- Food labels, shopping choices, meal planning and practical cooking skills
- Auslan and visual learning resources to help explain food information and health advice
- Support workers can join sessions and learn how to assist at home
- Online sessions by Zoom, Google Meet or FaceTime; in-person visits by arrangement, depending on location and availability
- Group workshops and support-worker coaching by arrangement
Fees & arrangements
$165
Per 90-minute individual session — online or in person.
Additional charges, agreed in advance: travel/driving time and applicable costs, customised visual or Auslan resources, and planning, preparation, follow-up or coordination outside sessions.
NDIS claims depend on the participant’s plan, relevant support item, current rules and service agreement. Agreement alone does not make a charge claimable. An enquiry does not guarantee funding approval.
How to get started
1. Book a free 30-minute Zoom introduction with Ross. The participant, coordinator and/or support worker are welcome.
2. Discuss goals, communication, session format and funding arrangements.
3. Complete the required intake and agreement forms before booked services begin.
Based in Melbourne’s south-eastern bayside area. For enquiries: admin@deafchefross.com
THE ESSENTIALS
Common Questions
Who is Deaf Chef Ross?
Ross Onley-Zerkel is a Deaf qualified chef, educator and Food & Cooking Coach who communicates in Auslan. He helps people understand food, gain practical cooking skills and grow confidence in everyday life.
Who can join your programs? Do I need to be Deaf?
Everyone is welcome: Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people, people with disability, and private clients. You do not need an NDIS plan or to be Deaf.
Do I need to know Auslan?
Ross uses Auslan and visual resources. Tell us about your communication preferences during the introduction so we can discuss suitable arrangements, including interpreting where needed.
Do I need a support worker?
No. A support worker or family member can join if useful. They can learn alongside you and support your cooking practice between sessions.
What ages can join?
Programs generally suit people aged 16 and over. Ask us about individual circumstances.
Can I choose Zoom or an in-person session?
Yes. Online sessions can use Zoom, Google Meet or FaceTime. In-person visits depend on your location and Ross’s availability, and travel charges apply.
How much does a session cost?
An individual 90-minute session costs $165, online or in person. Additional services such as travel, customised visual/Auslan resources, and work outside sessions are charged separately when agreed in advance. Groups are quoted individually.
What is non-face-to-face support?
Work done for your program outside appointments, such as planning, preparation, personalised learning materials, follow-up and coordination with your agreed support team. Any additional charges are discussed before work begins. NDIS claims are only made where the relevant support item and current rules allow; general business administration is not charged as participant support.
How do I sign up?
Start with a free 30-minute Zoom introduction. We’ll discuss your goals, choose suitable sessions, and organise the intake and agreement forms before your program starts.
Can I book additional sessions or combine programs?
Yes. You can choose individual topics or combine programs to suit your interests, goals and abilities.
Do I need an NDIS plan? How does payment work?
No. Private clients are welcome. For eligible NDIS services, plan-managed participants are usually invoiced through their plan manager; self-managed participants are invoiced directly. Funding eligibility, provider requirements and current rules must be checked before claiming.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
See the Terms of Service for notice periods, cancellations and rescheduling. Please contact Ross as soon as possible if plans change. NDIS cancellation charging must also follow applicable rules.
PRACTICAL OUTCOMES
How cooking can support NDIS goals
Examples of learning outcomes a participant and their support team can discuss. Funding can only be used for eligible NDIS supports in line with the person’s plan and current rules.
Understand information
Learn to follow recipes, interpret food labels and understand food-related advice explained through Auslan and visuals.
Feel safe at home
Practise kitchen safety, safe food storage and preparing simple meals with greater confidence.
Build independence
Develop daily living routines for planning, shopping and preparing food, with support workers where useful.
WORKING TOGETHER
More About Our Service
Can support coordinators or workers join the free introduction?
Yes. The participant, their coordinator and/or their support worker can join the free Zoom introduction to discuss goals and arrangements.
Do you develop customised Auslan or picture resources?
Yes, where useful for the person’s program. These may include personalised recipes, visual steps and accessible food explanations. Time spent developing resources may be charged separately, as agreed.
Can you explain advice from a dietitian or doctor?
Ross can help people understand and use food-related information from their health professionals in everyday cooking. Deaf Chef Ross provides education, not medical treatment or individual dietetic advice.
Do you run groups and train support workers?
Yes. Group workshops and support-worker coaching can be arranged. Content, session length, location and fees are discussed individually.
Which NDIS funding arrangements can I use?
Please discuss plan-managed or self-managed funding with Ross before booking. The support must meet your plan, current funding rules and any provider registration requirements. NDIA-managed supports require a registered provider.
Is GST charged?
Deaf Chef Ross is not registered for GST and does not charge GST.
What qualifications does Ross hold?
Ross holds qualifications in Commercial Cookery, Human Nutrition, Education and Training, and Disability Work. See the About page for details.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Policies & Agreements
Complaints & Feedback
How to ask a question, provide feedback or raise a concern.
Privacy Policy
How we collect, use, store and protect your personal information, and how to raise a privacy concern.
START WITH A CONVERSATION
Let’s talk about your cooking goals.
Clients, support workers and coordinators are welcome to make an enquiry.
Food and cooking education does not replace medical or individual dietetic advice.