The NDIS will not fund a gym membership because it is a day-to-day living cost, not solely and directly related to a disability.
Why won't the NDIS fund a gym membershp?
The NDIS don’t fund supports that are 'day-to-day' living costs for people (whether or not they have a disability).
What about if I have a goal to get fit or play a sport?
If one of your goals is to:
- get fit by going to a gym
- or playing sport
the NDIS may fund:
- the support you need to perform these activities
- the assistive technology you need to perform these activities
BUT the NDIS will not fund the gym membership itself.
What will the NDIS consider when deciding on whether to fund an activity?
- Will it help you take part in activities that will help you with your social and economic life (Side note: social and economic participantion is v.important and measured closely by the NDIS)
- Will the support show value for money when comparing the benefit vs the cost of other support options (i.e. is it cheaper to go to the gym vs pay for a personal trainer?)
- What support would families and other informal supports usually provide (i.e. could a family member take you jogging instead)
Important: You would need to give the NDIS evidence, such as assessments from a registered therapist, to show you need the support for your disability needs.
If the NDIS won't fund the Gym Membership, what related supports will they fund?
The NDIS may fund things such as:
- transport to and from the gym, if your family or the community can’t provide it and you aren’t able to use public transport independently
- funding for a support worker to help you to use the gym equipment
You will still need to fund:
- registration fees
- uniforms
- any other costs that everyone pays when playing sport, whether or not they have a disability.
NDIS Case example
Sue’s genetic condition causes intellectual disability, behavioural and learning issues. She wants to improve her personal fitness. She has been unable to join a gym as most gyms can’t accept a member who needs someone supporting her at all times while she exercises.
Sue applies for funding for gym membership and for a support worker to help her at the gym.
To work out whether the funding for gym membership and for a support worker is reasonable and necessary for Sue, the planner looks at the information provided against the NDIS Funding Criteria. When deciding if the supports are reasonable and necessary, the planner thinks about such things as whether:
- the supports are needed solely and directly because of Sue’s disability needs
- funding for Sue’s gym membership and support worker is value for money in relation to both benefits of the support and the cost of similar supports
- an exercise program is likely to help Sue improve her fitness and become more independent in physical activity.
- Sue is able to take part in other exercise programs, for example walking groups
- the gym membership is a day-to-day living costs not directly related to Sue’s disability support needs
In Sue’s case the planner decides:
- there is enough evidence from an exercise physiologist that taking part in her gym program is likely to have long term benefits for Sue, which may include reducing her need for support in future
- the need for a support worker to help Sue to improve her personal fitness at the gym is needed solely and directly because of Sue’s disability needs
- using a support worker to help Sue access and use the gym represents value for money in relation to both the benefits of the support and the cost of alternate available supports
- the cost of the gym membership is a day-to-day living costs not solely and directly needed due to Sue’s disability support needs. It is a cost that anyone would have to pay for regardless of their disability needs.
It Sue’s case the planner decides:
- funding for gym membership is not reasonable and necessary, and funding was not approved
- if Sue chooses to self-fund her gym membership, we will fund a support worker to help her pursue her personal fitness goal and use the gym equipment.
