How do I buy Assistive Technology with my NDIS funds?
Last Updated 11 July 2019
Buying or leasing equipment/assistive technology (AT)
NDIS participants can choose how they want to manage the funded supports in their plan. Unless your plan indicates otherwise, you can choose the providers you want to deliver those supports.
You are able to use your NDIS funds to:
- Buy the equipment/AT outright; or
- Access the equipment/AT through lease, rental or other arrangements - this includes arrangements to access refurbished and reissued equipment/AT.
The process you will follow will depend on:
- your equipment/AT needs;
- how complex those needs are; and
- how you manage your equipment/AT budget.
Generally, a participant can choose to buy their AT supports from a suitable provider of their choice. These can include known providers and providers found in State/Territory government AT provider schemes.
Self Managed
- You are able to choose and negotiate directly with a supplier to get the best value for money.
- You can use any AT provider (not just NDIS registered providers) and you pay the invoice, claim from the NDIS and keep records.
NDIA Managed
- Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator (if funded in your plan) will help you access an appropriate NDIS Registered AT Provider.
- Your LAC or Support Coordinator (if funded in your plan) will help you engage with the provider and will create service agreements and issue service bookings.
- The NDIS will pay your support provider directly.
Plan Managed
- Your Plan Manager will assist you:
- identify and source the right AT solution for you
- access both NDIS registered and non-registered providers on your behalf
- engage with providers of your choice
- establishing service agreements and issuing service bookings
- pay the support provider on your behalf
When do I need an Assessment first?
Low cost and low-risk items (Level 1) do not need an Assessment. AT is approved in plans based on reasonable and necessary planning decisions. No further assessment, quotes or approval required.
Participants with AT funded supports in their plan can seek advice (from an Independent Living Centre, AT assessor) and buy it themselves. The Low Cost AT items under a participant’s CORE budget (Consumables support category) would be where they would claim these expenses.
Supply of Levels 2 – 4, require an appropriate Assessment Form which needs to be completed by or with the help of an AT Assessor. Funds will be included in a plan to cover the cost of the Assessment in ‘Therapy Supports’ or ‘Custom Prosthetics’ categories in the Capacity Building budget area.
When do I need to get a Quote first?
Supports over $1,500 in value will require a quote prior to supply.
The low cost, low risk AT (typically <$1500) doesn’t require a quote if you are buying them in the Low Cost AT under a participant’s CORE budget (Consumables support category).
The NDIS Assistive Technology and Consumables Price Guide shows which items require a quote. See the last column in the table of supports in this document.
Participants can then decide whether or not to accept these quotes. NOTE: Quotes will not be processed automatically. If the quote received is higher than NDIA threshold, specific approval will be required from the NDIA.
The NDIA may offer reasonable and necessary funding and the participant can decide whether they wish to proceed with the quote and pay the gap themselves (co-payment).
AT Prepayments and Co-Payments
- AT prepayments are generally not required under the NDIS, unless the NDIA has given prior approval.
- AT Co-Payments occur where a participant would like a customisation to a support or assistive technology that is not considered reasonable or necessary. They are required to pay for this themselves. These may include an aesthetic customisation to an assistive technology or modifications to a vehicle that are additional to the assistive components.
Maintenance and Repairs
Improvements have been made to NDIS plans recently to account for expected repairs and maintenance.
Participants should check who has responsibility for the maintenance and repair of their assistive technology.
Generally, if you lease or hire an item, the organisation who provided it would help fix it, or if necessary, replace it. If the item has been bought outright, it is your responsibility. Australian Consumer Law gives you warranty rights on the supplier if something is wrong with the item.
Maintenance and repairs are usually the participant's responsibility so the participant should plan for those costs and, if necessary, create a service booking with a suitable provider if the equipment/AT is bought outright.
Appropriate funding should be included in your plan for these costs - be sure to talk to your planner about this during your planning meeting.
The NDIS does not own a participants equipment/AT and it does not have an equipment repair service like some state ad territory equipment/AT schemes.
You can use your Daily Adaptive Equipment budget for most repairs on Basic (Level 1) and Standard (Level 2) Assistive Technology or minor repairs for Specialised (Level 3) and Complex (Level 4) Assistive Technology.
The NDIA will also allocate funds for repairs and maintenance in Capital > Assistive Technology.
These funds will be based on equipment type, maintenance required and potential repairs over a plan’s duration, for Specialised (Level 3) and Complex (Level 4) Assistive Technology.
Repairs greater than $1500 will require a quote for NDIA acceptance prior to a payment request being made.
Where to Find AT Service Providers
My Diffability - Therapy resources and sensory toys for kids with special needs
Sensory Tools Australia - Sensory and soft play special needs equipment
The Therapy Store - Education and therapy resources for children and young adults of all abilities
MyCareSpace Resources on Assistive Technology
- Everything you need to know about Assistive Technology
- What Assistive Technology is funded by the NDIS?
- What are the different Levels of Assistive Technology?
- How do I buy Assistive Technology?
- When do I need an NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment and Quote?
- Who pays for repairs to Assistive Technology
- Replacing NDIS Assistive Technology
Sources: