Assistive technology and the NDIS: where to start
· Everyday supports · Source checked 12 October 2026
From simple aids to complex equipment, assistive technology can make daily life easier. Here is how the process generally works and what to prepare.
What counts as assistive technology
Assistive technology covers equipment that helps a person do something they would otherwise find difficult or impossible, from simple aids around the home to mobility equipment and communication devices. To be funded, an item generally has to be related to a person’s disability and be considered reasonable and necessary.
Simple items and complex items
Lower-cost, lower-risk items are usually easier to arrange and may not need a formal assessment. Higher-cost or more complex equipment, especially if it needs to be fitted or set up for one person, usually needs an assessment by a suitably qualified professional and one or more quotes.
Your plan may already include a budget for assistive technology, or it may need to be requested. The official page sets out what is expected for different types of item.
Getting ready
Describe what you are trying to do and what makes it hard now. Ask your therapist or other health professional whether they can assess you or refer you to an assessor, and ask what evidence they will need to write. Note down what you have already tried and why it did not work.
If possible, trial the equipment before it is purchased, so you know it suits your body, your home and your routine.
After you have it
Ask about training, set-up, warranties and who to call for repairs or adjustments, and whether maintenance is funded. Equipment needs can change as your circumstances do, so keep records and review it from time to time. This is general information, not advice about your plan.
Common pitfalls
Buying an item before it has been approved, relying on a salesperson’s description of what is “covered”, or choosing equipment without a trial are the most common mistakes. Another is forgetting about repairs and replacement, which can matter as much as the first purchase.
Ask the provider to put the item, price and what is included in writing before you commit, and check with your plan manager or the NDIA if you are unsure whether it can be paid from your plan.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as assistive technology?
Equipment that helps a person do something they would otherwise find difficult or impossible, from simple aids around the home to mobility equipment and communication devices. To be funded, an item generally has to be related to a person’s disability and be considered reasonable and necessary.
Do I need an assessment for equipment?
Lower-cost, lower-risk items are usually easier to arrange and may not need a formal assessment. Higher-cost or more complex equipment, especially if it needs to be fitted or set up for one person, usually needs an assessment by a suitably qualified professional and one or more quotes.
How should I get ready to ask for assistive technology?
Describe what you are trying to do and what makes it hard now. Ask your therapist or other health professional whether they can assess you or refer you to an assessor, and note down what you have already tried and why it did not work. If possible, trial the equipment before it is purchased.
What mistakes should I avoid?
Buying an item before it has been approved, relying on a salesperson’s description of what is “covered”, or choosing equipment without a trial. Another is forgetting about repairs and replacement, which can matter as much as the first purchase.
Keep learning
- Choosing a therapist: occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology: Three common therapies with different focuses. Here is how to work out where to start and what to ask before booking.
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- NDIS service agreements: what to check before you sign: A service agreement sets out what a provider will do, what it costs and how either side can change it. Read these points before you agree to anything.
More in our NDIS updates and insights, our step-by-step guides, or the NDIS and aged care provider directory.
Official sources
Source checked 12 October 2026. Rules and guidance can change; verify current details with the responsible agency. How we write and check our guides.