Assistive technology is one of the most useful and most misunderstood parts of the NDIS. The rules aren’t complicated once you know them, but the terminology can make a simple request feel complex.
This guide explains what counts as assistive technology, what the NDIS may and may not fund, and the steps in getting the right support included in your plan.
What Counts as Assistive Technology Under the NDIS?
Assistive technology is any piece of equipment, device, or system that helps a person with disability do something they otherwise couldn’t do or couldn’t do safely.
It includes:
- Mobility equipment such as manual and powered wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters
- Communication devices, including speech-generating devices and AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tools
- Hearing and vision aids
- Bathroom and toileting equipment, like shower chairs and commodes
- Beds, mattresses, and pressure-care equipment
- Sensory equipment, including weighted blankets and noise-cancelling headphones
- Home and vehicle modifications designed to improve accessibility and safety
Note: A device that’s convenient or nice to have won’t meet the bar. Every item of NDIS assistive technology has to be directly related to your disability and genuinely improve your independence, safety, or ability to participate in daily life.
The Three Cost Tiers: Low, Mid, and High Cost Assistive Technology
The NDIS splits assistive technology into three cost bands, and which one your item falls into determines how much paperwork you’ll need.
Low-Cost AT (under $1,500)
Items under this threshold are usually simple, low-risk, and easy to source, such as shower stools, grab rails, or a basic communication app.
These are generally funded through your Core Supports budget, under Consumables, and in many cases you can purchase them without a formal quote or assessment. That said, it’s still worth checking with your support coordinator or plan manager first.
Mid-Cost AT ($1,500 to $15,000)
Once you move above the low-cost threshold, the NDIA typically wants a written quote and supporting evidence. It’s usually a short report from an occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or other allied health professional explaining why the item is reasonable and necessary for you.
High-Cost AT (over $15,000)
Higher-cost, more complex items, such as customised wheelchairs, sophisticated communication systems, and ceiling hoists, require a formal AT assessment, detailed quotes, and NDIA approval before you purchase anything.
This funding is allocated from your Capital Supports budget and is stated, meaning it’s locked to that specific item and can’t be redirected elsewhere in your plan.
Where the NDIS Assistive Technology Funding Actually Comes From
This is where a lot of confusion creeps in. Depending on the cost and complexity of the item, your NDIS assistive technology will be funded from one of two places:
Core Supports covers low-cost, everyday items and is flexible. You can move funding around within this category as your needs shift throughout the year.
Capital Supports covers mid- and high-cost equipment. Unlike Core, this budget is reserved. If your plan has $12,000 allocated for a specialised wheelchair, that money can only go toward that wheelchair, not support work, therapy, or anything else.
Do I Need an Assessment to Get Assistive Technology Funded?
- For low-cost items: no formal assessment is usually required.
- For mid-cost items: a formal, full assessment is not always mandatory, but you do need evidence.
- For high-cost items: a formal assessment by a qualified assessor (such as an occupational therapist) is mandatory.
Can I Try the Equipment Before Deciding if it is Right for Me?
Yes. Trials let you test whether a device actually fits your daily routine before a funding decision locks anything in. For higher-cost or more complex equipment, a trial period can save everyone the time and money by confirming the right fit from the outset, rather than discovering a mismatch after purchase.
Can I Use My NDIS Plan to Buy a Tablet or Smart Device?
Yes, you can use your NDIS plan to buy a tablet or smart device, but only if it is approved as a replacement support or strictly necessary for your disability.
A replacement support means an item that genuinely replaces a more expensive, disability-specific piece of equipment already in your plan (for example, a specialised communication device), and you can demonstrate it performs that function just as effectively.
Note: You’ll need to apply for this in advance; you can’t simply buy the device and claim it back afterwards.
How to Apply for NDIS Assistive Technology: Step by Step
1. Identify your Goals
Start with what you’re actually trying to achieve: more independence in the bathroom, safer transfers, clearer communication, rather than a specific product. Having this information in place can make the process much easier.
2. Arrange an Assessment (if required)
For anything above the low-cost threshold, book in with an appropriately qualified allied health professional. Assessment hours are typically funded from your Capacity Building budget, so check what’s available in your plan.
3. Get Quotes
Mid- and high-cost items need a formal quote from a supplier, which your assessor or support coordinator can usually help arrange.
4. Submit the Request
Your assessor’s report and the supporting quotes go to the NDIA, either through your planner, your support coordinator, or directly via the NDIS portal, depending on how your plan is managed.
5. Wait for Approval
The time needed to assess your request depends on the level of support you need. Low-cost items move quickly, while high-cost equipment can take several weeks as the NDIA reviews the evidence.
6. Purchase and Set up
Once approved, you (or your plan manager) can proceed with the purchase, delivery, and any fitting or training required to use the equipment safely.
Why Assistive Technology Requests Get Rejected
Requests are commonly knocked back when:
- The evidence provided is generic rather than specific to the individual’s circumstances
- The item looks more like a lifestyle upgrade than a disability-related need
- Cheaper, equally effective alternatives haven’t been ruled out
- The paperwork is incomplete, or the assessor isn’t appropriately qualified for that equipment type
If a request is declined, you can ask for a review or provide additional evidence and strengthen your case.
What About Repairs, Maintenance, and Replacements?
Equipment wears out, and the NDIS accounts for that. Minor repairs and routine maintenance for consumable items are generally funded through Core Supports, while major repairs to expensive equipment, such as a wheelchair motor, usually sit under Capital Supports.
If your needs change over time, whether due to growth, a progressive condition, or simply outgrowing a piece of equipment, you can request a plan review to have your NDIS assistive technology reassessed and updated.
Let Dream Big Help You Turn “What’s Funded” Into “What’s Approved”
Understanding what’s funded is one thing. Actually gathering the right evidence, coordinating assessments, and pushing an application through to approval is a different challenge altogether.
That’s where Dream Big Support Services comes in. As a registered NDIS provider based in East Toowoomba, Queensland, we’ve spent years walking alongside participants and families as they navigate exactly this kind of process. Our team understands the NDIS from the inside: the paperwork, the timelines, and the small details that make the difference between an approved request and a rejected one.
Whether you need help identifying the right assistive technology, connecting with a qualified assessor, or simply making sense of your plan, we’re here to make the process feel a lot less overwhelming. Contact our friendly team today.
