Customised prosthetics and orthotics

NDIS support

Prosthetics replace a missing body part, and orthotics support or correct a part of the body.

The short answer

Prosthetics replace a missing limb or body part, and orthotics support or correct a part of the body. Customised devices are designed, made and fitted for one person by a qualified practitioner.

About Customised prosthetics and orthotics

A prosthesis is an artificial limb or body part. An orthosis is a device such as a brace, splint or shoe insert that supports, protects or corrects a part of the body that is still there. Customised devices are made from measurements, scans or casts of the individual, so they fit properly and work with the way the person moves.

Prosthetists and orthotists are the health professionals who assess, design, fit and adjust these devices. They also teach people how to use and care for them. Because bodies change over time, and devices wear, regular reviews are an ongoing part of care rather than a one-off event.

Look for practitioners with recognised qualifications and professional membership. Ask how many fittings are usually needed, how adjustments are handled and what support is available to help you learn to use a new device, especially in the early weeks.

Who is this service for?

People who need a prosthesis to replace a missing body part, or an orthosis to support or correct part of the body, made or adjusted for them.

What a typical session looks like

The process usually begins with a consultation with a prosthetist or orthotist, who talks with you about what you want to do, examines you and takes measurements or a scan. A device is then designed and made for your body. This can involve a series of fittings, adjustments and trial periods before the final version is ready.

Once you have the device, follow-up matters. Your body changes, and so does what you ask of the device, so adjustments, repairs and reviews are a normal part of the arrangement. Most people also need to learn how to use, care for and check the device, and a good practitioner gives you time to practise and ask questions.

Who delivers this support

Prosthetists and orthotists are health professionals who design, make and fit devices. They often work with doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and referral or a medical opinion may be part of the process. Check their qualifications and whether they are registered or a member of the relevant professional association, and ask about their experience with your type of device.

How to choose a provider

• Ask about the practitioner's qualifications, experience and professional membership.
• Find out how many appointments are usually needed and where they take place.
• Ask about follow-up, adjustments and repairs.
• Check how the device will be reviewed as your needs change.
• Ask how they work with your other health professionals, such as a physiotherapist.

Questions to ask a provider

• What experience do you have with the type of device I need?
• How many fittings and adjustments are usually involved, and where do they take place?
• What warranty and repair options are there, and how quickly can repairs be arranged?
• Who do I contact if the device causes pain or skin problems?
• How will you work with my doctor and therapist?
• How often should the device be reviewed, and what would signal that it needs replacing?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving problems such as rubbing or pain until they become serious.
• Not going back for adjustments during the first stage of use.
• Overlooking a change in weight or activity that affects fit.
• Skipping physiotherapy that would help you use the device effectively.
• Not asking about repair arrangements before committing.

Getting started

1. Talk to your doctor or therapist about whether a device may help.
2. Book an assessment with a prosthetist or orthotist.
3. Attend fittings and trials and ask questions about care and use.
4. Arrange regular reviews and know who to call if something does not feel right.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

A customised device sits alongside therapy and other health care. Physiotherapy can help you use it well, while regular check-ups help detect problems early. Because these devices are made for one person and are used every day, it is sensible to plan for repairs, replacements and changes in your needs over time.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Customised prosthetics and orthotics if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Customised prosthetics and orthotics depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Customised prosthetics and orthotics that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Assistive technology & equipment providers on the NDIS register

4,258 NDIS providers list assistive technology & equipment supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing assistive technology & equipment

• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 NSW Building Solutions - NSW; includes Annandale, NSW
• 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
• 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
• 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
• 1st Care Community - QLD; includes Acacia Ridge, QLD
• 2 Right Feet Podiatry - VIC; includes Kilsyth, VIC
• 2 Right Feet Podiatry - VIC; includes Kilsyth, VIC
• 24 Hour Positioning - NSW; includes Chatswood, NSW
• 24 Seven Plan Management - WA; includes Canning Vale, WA
• 24/7 Nursing + Medical Services - NSW; includes Edgecliff, NSW
• 247 Divine Healthcare - QLD; includes Middle Ridge, QLD

See all 4,258 assistive technology & equipment providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (1,754)
• Victoria (1,004)
• Queensland (851)
• South Australia (348)
• Western Australia (347)
• Tasmania (102)
• Australian Capital Territory (100)
• Northern Territory (62)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (217)
• Sydney, NSW (139)
• Melbourne, VIC (134)
• Central Coast, NSW (110)
• Blacktown, NSW (79)
• Perth, WA (79)
• Parramatta, NSW (74)
• Liverpool, NSW (72)
• Bankstown, NSW (70)
• Canberra, ACT (63)
• Penrith, NSW (63)
• Adelaide, SA (58)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
• Nurse Next Door Townsville - 171 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
• Just Better Care Adelaide - 130 areas
• Right at Home Perth Northern Suburbs & Perth West Coast - 108 areas
• United for Care - 103 areas
• Anne Care Facilities - 101 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Hearing services and audiology
• Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
• Individualised Living Options (ILO)
• Interpreting and translation

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a prosthesis and an orthosis?

A prosthesis replaces a missing limb or body part. An orthosis, such as a brace or splint, supports or corrects a part of the body that is still there.

Who makes them?

Prosthetists and orthotists are health professionals who assess, design, fit and adjust these devices. Look for practitioners with the appropriate qualifications and professional membership.

Do custom devices need adjusting over time?

Yes. Bodies and needs change, and devices wear. Regular reviews help keep a device comfortable, safe and working well.

How long does a custom device last?

It depends on the device, how much it is used and how your body changes. Your practitioner can tell you what to expect and when to review.

Will it hurt to use?

A well-fitted device should be comfortable. It is normal to need time to adapt, but discomfort or skin problems should be reported straight away.

Can children have custom devices?

Yes. Children grow quickly so devices are reviewed and replaced more often. A practitioner with experience in paediatrics can help.

How do I know if my device needs adjusting?

Signs include pain, rubbing, skin marks, a change in how it feels or moves, or difficulty doing things you used to do easily. Contact your prosthetist or orthotist as soon as you notice these.

Do I need a referral to see a prosthetist or orthotist?

It depends on the situation and the funding arrangements. A doctor or therapist can advise, and the practitioner can tell you what they need before starting.

Can children use prosthetic and orthotic devices?

Yes, and because children grow, devices need to be reviewed and replaced more often. Practitioners with paediatric experience can help families plan for this.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Customised prosthetics and orthotics?

If Customised prosthetics and orthotics is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Customised prosthetics and orthotics provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory