What Is Assistive Technology in the NDIS? A Guide

When people hear the term assistive technology (AT), they often picture complex machinery or high-tech gadgets. The reality is much simpler. Assistive technology is any piece of equipment, big or small, that helps you do something you couldn't do before, or makes a task easier and safer. It could be as basic as a non-slip bathmat or as advanced as a voice-activated computer. This guide explains what the NDIS will fund, how the cost tiers work, and the steps to get the right equipment into your hands.

Assistive technology in your NDIS plan

Think of assistive technology as a personalised toolkit funded through your NDIS plan, with every tool picked to tackle a specific challenge. The focus is on building your independence, keeping you safe, and making it easier to get involved in your community.

For many Australians living with a permanent and significant disability, the NDIS is the main way to access this equipment. The scheme recognises that the right AT can dramatically improve quality of life, and it often reduces the need for more intensive supports down the track. If you're newer to the scheme, our NDIS overview is a good local starting point.

The NDIS funds AT when it's considered reasonable and necessary, which means it must be directly linked to your disability and to a goal in your plan. For example, if one of your goals is to cook your own meals, asking for funding for a specialised cutting board or an ergonomic knife is a reasonable request. The NDIS has a helpful plain-language explainer on its assistive technology page.

The three levels of assistive technology

The NDIS sorts assistive technology by two factors: cost and risk. A non-slip bathmat is a simple, low-risk purchase you can usually sort out on your own, while a customised power wheelchair needs an expert assessment to make sure it's safe, effective, and tailored to you. The NDIS currently groups AT into three levels, each with its own path to funding.

AT level	Description and cost threshold	Common examples	Typical process
Low-cost	Simple, off-the-shelf items generally under $1,500. Considered low risk.	Adapted cutlery, non-slip bathmats, long-handled shoehorns, basic communication apps.	Often purchased directly using your Core Supports (consumables) budget. No quote needed.
Mid-cost	More complex items from $1,500 to $15,000. May need some customisation.	Standing frames, pressure care mattresses, standard manual wheelchairs, communication devices.	Requires a written quote and supporting evidence from an AT assessor, such as an occupational therapist.
High-cost	Complex and custom-made items over $15,000. Considered high risk.	Customised power wheelchairs, vehicle modifications, complex home environmental controls.	A detailed AT assessment is required, and you may be asked for more than one quote. This is the most in-depth process.

The process is designed to match the complexity of the item. If you're not sure which plan budget covers what, our guide to NDIS support categories breaks down Core and Capital Supports in plain language.

Why risk matters as much as cost

A low-risk item is unlikely to cause injury even if it's used incorrectly, and it doesn't need a professional to set it up. A high-risk item genuinely needs an expert, who will assess your situation, help you trial a few options, and make sure everything is set up properly. That's why getting a hoist is a much more involved process than buying a walking stick.

Your roadmap to securing AT funding

The whole process hinges on one core principle: showing that the AT you need is reasonable and necessary. That means clearly demonstrating how the equipment will help you reach your goals, represents good value for money, and relates directly to your disability.

Step 1: Identify your needs and goals

Before any forms are filled out, get clear on what you're trying to achieve. What parts of your day are a struggle? Where are the biggest roadblocks to your independence? Instead of a general statement like "I want to be more independent", break it down into real-world actions:

• I want to make my own breakfast safely.
• I want to get out of the house on my own.
• I want to join a local art class and participate fully.

Each goal points towards a potential AT solution: an adapted cutting board, a mobility scooter, a specialised easel. This early thinking is the foundation of your funding request.

Step 2: Get a professional AT assessment

Once your goals are clear, the next step is a formal AT assessment. This is usually carried out by an allied health professional, most often an occupational therapist (OT), though it might be a speech pathologist for communication aids or a physiotherapist for mobility equipment.

For mid and high-cost AT this assessment is essential, and the assessor's report will be the most important piece of evidence you submit. It gives the NDIS an independent, clinical reason why a specific piece of AT is the best and safest way to meet your goals.

During the assessment, the therapist will talk through your goals, look at your physical and cognitive abilities, assess your home and the other places you'll use the AT, and recommend specific equipment, explaining why it's the most appropriate and cost-effective choice.

Step 3: Build your case with strong evidence

With the assessment report in hand, gather the remaining documents. For mid to high-cost AT you'll typically need:

• The formal AT assessment report. This is the cornerstone of your request.
• A quote for the equipment. For items over $1,500 you'll need at least one quote from a reputable AT supplier. For very expensive items you may be asked for two.
• A completed AT request form. The NDIA has a specific template that your assessor will help you complete.
• Evidence of trials, if you've done them. A successful trial is powerful proof that the equipment suits your needs, your home and your goals.

A well-prepared request gives you the best chance of a smooth approval.

Building your AT support team

Finding the right assistive technology isn't a solo mission. Your team might include:

• You. Nobody knows your life better. Your goals and preferences drive every decision.
• Your family and carers. They offer priceless insight into your daily routines and can back you up throughout the process.
• Your support coordinator, if you have one. They can connect you with the right professionals and help you make sense of your plan funding.
• Allied health professionals. OTs look at daily living broadly, speech pathologists handle communication needs, and physiotherapists advise on complex mobility equipment like custom wheelchairs and standing frames.
• AT suppliers and technicians. A good supplier arranges trials, provides the quotes for your application, customises and fits the equipment, trains you to use it safely, and handles maintenance and repairs later on.

Your assessor is also your professional advocate, using their clinical expertise to explain to the NDIS exactly why a specific piece of equipment is reasonable and necessary for you.

Common questions

We hear these ones a lot, and there are more general answers on our FAQs page.

What happens if my AT request is rejected?

First, don't panic. A rejection is rarely the end of the road, it usually means you need to strengthen your case. Read the decision letter from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) carefully, because it will spell out why they said no. Usually it comes down to not enough evidence linking the AT, your disability, and the goals in your plan.

If you believe the decision is wrong, you have clear pathways forward:

• Request an internal review. You have three months from the date of the decision to ask the NDIA to take a second look. This is your prime opportunity to submit new supporting documents.
• Gather more evidence. Go back to your AT assessor and ask for a more detailed report that directly answers the NDIA's reasons for the rejection.
• Apply to the ART. If the internal review doesn't go your way, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), the independent body that replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in late 2024. It gives your case a fresh set of eyes.

A disability advocate can support you through this, and for preparing your broader plan, our insider's guide to plan reassessments is worth a read.

Can I trial assistive technology before committing?

Yes, and for most mid to high-cost AT it's strongly encouraged, sometimes expected. A trial gives everyone concrete proof that the equipment fits your needs, your home, and your goals before serious money is spent. You can request funding for trials in your plan, covering rental fees, your therapist's time to set up the equipment, and follow-up training sessions. Your therapist can then document how the trial went, which becomes some of your strongest evidence.

Who is responsible for AT repairs and maintenance?

Your NDIS plan can, and should, include funding for the ongoing maintenance and repair of your NDIS-funded equipment. For smaller items, your consumables budget under Core Supports often covers repairs or replacements. For complex equipment like a power wheelchair or communication device, servicing and unexpected repairs come from your Capital Supports budget. Raise these ongoing costs with your planner or local area coordinator when your plan is being built. When something does go wrong, your AT supplier is usually the first call to assess the problem and provide a quote.

What is the difference between AT and consumables?

Consumables are everyday items you need because of your disability that are typically single-use or disposable, like continence pads, specialised nutritional formulas, or catheters. You use them up and replace them. Assistive technology is reusable equipment you use over and over to do things more easily and independently. The simplest test is to ask, "is it reusable?" A walking stick is AT. The disposable grip you might buy for its handle is a consumable. While low-cost AT can sometimes be bought from your consumables budget, most AT sits in your Capital Supports budget, so getting the distinction right helps you manage your funds properly.

At Vana Care, we see every day how the right equipment changes daily life for the people we support, from the kitchen bench to the community. Our support workers provide in-home support and community access across Greater Adelaide, and while we don't provide AT assessments ourselves, we're always happy to point you in the right direction. If you'd like to talk through your support options, you can build a quote in a few minutes at Get Support or call us on 08 7228 6202.