NDIS Assistive Technology Budget
The equipment category inside capital supports.
Assistive technology is equipment or devices that help you do things you cannot do because of your disability, or do them more easily and safely - from shower chairs and walkers through to powered wheelchairs. In an NDIS plan, assistive technology is its own support category inside the capital supports budget. Capital funding is stated rather than flexible: it is set aside for the items it names and cannot move between categories.
Cost tiers and what each needs
The NDIS groups assistive technology by cost, and the evidence asked of you scales with the tier. Low-cost assistive technology is equipment under the threshold set in the Pricing Arrangements. Depending on how a plan is managed, it can sometimes be purchased without a quote - check your plan first. Higher-cost assistive technology usually needs a quote and an assessment from an occupational therapist or another qualified assessor before the NDIS will consider it.
| Tier | Price range | What the NDIS asks for |
|---|---|---|
| Low-cost | Under $1,500 | No formal evidence for low-risk items; can be bought using the consumables budget |
| Mid-cost | $1,500 to $15,000 | A recommendation from an AT advisor, with an approximate cost to buy and maintain |
| High-cost | Over $15,000 | An AT assessor's assessment and a formal quote; NDIA approval before purchase |
Thresholds from the NDIS Pricing Arrangements, effective (ndis.gov.au).
Repairs and maintenance
Repair and maintenance funding is included in a plan automatically for anyone approved for mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology - no fresh assessment needed. Smaller repairs, like a tyre puncture, draw on the consumables category in core supports. Major repairs and regular servicing sit in the capital budget under its repairs and rental category.
Confirming what your plan allows
Whether a piece of assistive technology can be claimed depends on your individual plan, your goals, and how your funding is managed. Your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm what applies to you. If you intend to claim, check with your plan manager or support coordinator before purchasing. The low-cost AT checker compares a price against the current threshold, and you can browse every assistive technology support item with its code and price limit.
Official sources
- What is low-cost assistive technology - ndis.gov.au
- What is mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology - ndis.gov.au
- NDIS Pricing Arrangements
Frequently asked questions
What is assistive technology under the NDIS?
Assistive technology is equipment or devices that help you do things you cannot do because of your disability, or do them more easily and safely. In a plan it sits in the capital supports budget as its own support category, separate from everyday consumables in core supports.
What counts as low-cost assistive technology?
Low-cost assistive technology is equipment under the threshold set in the Pricing Arrangements. Depending on how a plan is managed, it can sometimes be purchased without a quote - check your plan first. The current threshold figures are in the table on this page, drawn from the official Pricing Arrangements.
Does higher-cost assistive technology need an assessment?
Higher-cost assistive technology usually needs a quote and an assessment from an occupational therapist or another qualified assessor before the NDIS will consider it. For the highest tier the assessment comes from a qualified AT assessor, and the NDIA approves funding before purchase. You may be asked to trial or rent the item first.
Who pays for assistive technology repairs?
Repair and maintenance funding is included in a plan automatically for anyone approved for mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology, with no fresh assessment needed. Smaller repairs draw on the consumables category in core supports, while major repairs and regular servicing sit in the capital budget's repairs and rental category.
Related: the consumables budget, home modifications, and the NDIS Funding & Budgets guide.