Recreation equipment
Assistive technology
Equipment that lets a person take part in sport, hobbies and leisure activities, such as adapted bikes, sports wheelchairs or specialised gear.
The short answer
Recreation equipment lets you take part in sport, hobbies and leisure, and includes adapted bikes, sports wheelchairs and specialised gear for a particular activity.
About Recreation equipment
Being active and doing things you enjoy is important for health and wellbeing. Recreation equipment removes barriers to taking part. Examples include hand cycles and adapted bikes, sports wheelchairs, adaptive skis and paddles, adapted fishing gear, and accessories that make it easier to hold, grip or balance.
The right equipment depends on the activity, your abilities and where you will use it. A therapist, sporting organisation or specialist supplier can advise, and many clubs run come-and-try days where you can test equipment before committing. This is a good way to find out whether an activity suits you.
Some sports have specific equipment standards, so check with the sport if you plan to compete. Ask about fitting, training and maintenance, and think about how you will store and transport equipment.
Who is this service for?
People who want to take part in sport, hobbies and leisure and need adapted or specialised equipment to do so.
What a typical session looks like
Choosing recreation equipment starts with a conversation about what you love to do or want to try, such as swimming, cycling, fishing, sport, gardening or music. A therapist or specialist supplier can then suggest equipment that makes it possible, such as adapted bikes, hand cycles, beach wheelchairs, adapted fishing gear or modified controllers.
Most people benefit from trying equipment before committing, often through a trial, a demonstration day or a club that lends items. Once you have it, someone shows you how to use it safely, and you can practise in a supportive setting. Joining a group or club that uses similar equipment can make a big difference.
Who delivers this support
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and specialist suppliers advise on recreation equipment. Sports and recreation organisations often have expertise, and many run programs for people with disability. Ask about experience with your activity and whether the equipment can be trialled.
How to choose a provider
- Try equipment at a come-and-try day or with a specialist supplier.
- Ask a therapist to check fit and safety.
- Check whether the equipment meets the requirements of your sport.
- Ask about servicing, spare parts and warranty.
- Think about storage and transport.
Questions to ask a provider
- What equipment would make my chosen activity possible and enjoyable?
- Can I try it before I decide?
- How will I learn to use it safely?
- How will I transport and store it?
- Are there clubs or programs that could help me get started?
- How is the equipment maintained and repaired?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying expensive equipment without trying it.
- Not thinking about transport and storage.
- Skipping safety training or protective gear.
- Doing the activity alone before you feel confident.
- Not connecting with a group or club that could support you.
Getting started
- Choose an activity you want to try.
- Contact a local club or specialist supplier.
- Try equipment before buying.
- Arrange training and a maintenance plan.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Recreation equipment supports community participation and health, and it works alongside group programs, community access and therapy. It is worth thinking about where you will use it, how you will transport and store it and whether a club or program can help you get started.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Recreation equipment 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
Assistive technology is funded according to its cost and complexity: lower-cost items are usually paid from a Core budget, and higher-cost or more complex items from a Capital budget, sometimes needing an assessment or quote. Your planner or an assistive technology advisor can explain how this applies to Recreation equipment. 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
Equipment prices vary widely with the type of item and how it is set up for you. Ask for a written quote that separates the item, fitting and training, and for information about warranty and servicing for Recreation equipment. 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
- Vision equipment
- AT repairs, maintenance, rental and trial
- Assistive technology assessment and training
- Communication and information equipment
Frequently asked questions
What is recreation equipment?
Equipment that lets you take part in sport, hobbies and leisure, such as adapted bikes, sports wheelchairs, adaptive gear and specialised tools for a particular activity.
How do I find the right equipment?
Talk to a therapist, sporting organisation or specialist supplier. Trying equipment before buying helps make sure it suits the activity and you.
Can I try an activity first?
Many clubs and programs run come-and-try sessions, which is a good way to test an activity and its equipment before committing.
Where can I try adaptive sports?
Local clubs, sporting organisations and disability sport groups run trial sessions.
Is recreation equipment expensive?
It can be. Try before you buy, and ask suppliers about second-hand options.
Can children use adapted sports equipment?
Yes. Equipment can be sized and adjusted for children, and they grow, so reviews are important.
Where can I try recreation equipment?
Some sporting organisations, disability groups and specialist suppliers run trial days or lend equipment. A therapist can help you find them.
Can adapted equipment be used for competitive sport?
Often yes, and there are adaptive sports for many activities. Local clubs and state sporting bodies can tell you what is available.
Does recreation equipment need servicing?
Many items do, especially those that move or bear weight. Ask the supplier about maintenance.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Recreation equipment?
If Recreation equipment 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 Recreation equipment 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
Helpful reading
- 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.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.