Top 8 things you need to know about the new NDIS Support Lists

Katy Perry Video for reference

NDIS Support List - What's in and what's out?

The NDIS made a big announcement about the supports it will and will not fund. 

Many people are confused (or overwhelmed and worried) so we wanted to give you a quick summary of what it means for you.

Top 8 things you need to know about the latest changes to NDIS Supports

1. From 3 October, Participants must use the NDIS supports lists to guide what they can or rather cannot spend their funding on. But don't freak out!
The purpose of these lists is to provide some clarification and to stop people from spending on items that SHOULD NOT be funded by the NDIS.
See these points we are quoting from the NDIS:

• The list of allowable NDIS supports is not exhaustive, meaning it does not exclude items that are not specifically listed.
• The purpose of the list is to clarify the TYPES OF SUPPORTS that fall under the OVERARCHING DESCRIPTION
• It is important for participants to know that for something to be considered an NDIS support, it must:
  • fit WITHIN the overarching description provided in schedule 1 (however, it does not have to be specifically listed) and
  • must not be included in the non-allowable NDIS supports list.

2. The NDIS will typically fund a support if it meets ALL of the following criteria: 

• it is for your impairments that meet the disability or early intervention requirements, or both 
• it will help with your individual goals and aspirations 
• it will help your social and/or economic participation 
• it is value for money, which means that: 
• the cost of the support is similar to or cheaper than alternative options that can provide you with the same outcome and/or 
• purchasing the support is likely to reduce the costs of funding for other supports in the long term. 
• it is effective and beneficial for you 
• it helps to maintain your informal supports it is an NDIS support.

3. The NDIS released 2 NDIS Supports Lists showing what you can use your NDIS funding on

• Here is a list of things you CAN spend your NDIS funding on
  (Easy Read Version) 
   
• Here is a list of things you CANNOT spend your NDIS funding on 
  (Easy Read Version)
  ​

4. The NDIS released a Replacement Support List - this is a list of substitutions you can use if what you want to spent your funding on is NOT on the NDIS approved list.

Here is a detailed resource about the Replacement List and How to Apply (there are lots of rules)

• You must submit this request in writing to the NDIS.
  How to apply.
   
• Here is the Replacement List
  (Easy Read) 

5. The NDIS will transition these lists over the next 12 months and help people make sure they are only spending their funding on approved NDIS supports.
If you get it wrong once or twice over the next 12 months, the NDIS will help you correct it and won't fine you.
If you continually get it wrong after that, they won't be so forgiving and you will be in debt to the NDIA. If you make a mistake for a claim over $1,500, you will be in debt.

6. Providers will need to make sure they are billing you for Approved NDIS Supports or you won't be able to pay their bills. More for Providers here.

7. Plan Managers should help Participants by reviewing the type of services you are currently claiming and letting you know if any of the items are on the 'OUT" list.  

8. There is a transitional rule allowing participants to continue to access supports that are not NDIS supports for the duration of their existing plan if:

• They were specifically identified as reasonable and necessary before 3 October 2024
• The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has decided that the support should be funded as a reasonable and necessary support. 

This rule does not apply to sexual services, alcohol or drugs. These supports are specified in the primary Act as non-NDIS supports.

Answering your Frequently asked Questions

Is Animal Therapy (including equine therapy) allowed? 

Animal-assisted therapy CAN be an NDIS support when it is delivered as Therapeutic Support.

Animal-assisted therapy is not the same as ‘animal therapy’.

Animal-assisted therapists may use an animal to play a role in a goal-directed, structured intervention which will assist the therapist and the participant to engage in therapy.

Animals can be used as therapy tools, just like a board game, Lego, or a swing could also be used as a tool in a therapy session.

For example:

 a psychologist or counsellor may use an animal in therapy sessions to assist a participant to calm, focus or regulate whilst the counselling/psychology session is undertaken.

An occupational therapist may use an animal in therapy sessions to assist a participant to participate in an activity such as walking, standing, balancing etc. In these interventions, the animal may be used by the therapist to help the client meet specific goals but the therapy is delivered to the participant by the allied health professional, with the animal used to support participation.

When is Animal therapy is NOT an NDIS support.

Activities which are provided for people to have a positive experience with an animal such as engaging with puppies or riding a horse might be called ‘animal therapy’ by the provider of the service.

Recreational, sporting or social activities involving animals could also be called animal therapy.

These activities are not animal-assisted therapeutic interventions and are not NDIS Supports, even if the provider of the service is an allied health professional.

More Information

• Read our Full Resource here: What's on the NDIS List of Approved supports? 
• Access the NDIS FAQ page: NDIS FAQ on recent legislation