Low-Cost, High Potential: Navigating the world of NDIS Assistive Technology
Image Description: A boy in a pink top sits in a wheelchair at a desk, with his hands on a laptop, he is wearing white headphones, and a man behind him has his hand gently on his head.
There are so many simple items and devices out there that can make our lives easier, help with independence, and keep us safe. This is what the NDIS calls “Assistive Technology” (AT), and for AT that’s low cost and low risk, you generally won’t need any special funding added to your plan, or any pre-approval from the NDIS. In fact, if you’ve got available core funding, you could likely purchase that potentially life changing item you’ve been eyeing off right now!
Our good friends at Chooze, an online store all about making assistive tech easy and accessible, are going to help us understand the NDIS rules and procedures around accessing common equipment by breaking it down here, because it can get tricky. They’ve also got some fantastic tips and resources to help you feel confident in your choices and start making the purchases that will improve your life.
So, let's dive in and discover the possibilities that await with low-cost AT!
Assistive Technology and the NDIS
Assistive technology includes a wide range of products and services that can help you live more independently and do everyday tasks. AT includes everything from non-slip bath mats and bathroom transfer seats to mobile apps and more expensive supports like wheelchairs, rollators, and home modifications.
Not sure what’s out there that might be right for you? We’ve created a quiz to help you discover some great options that could help you in your daily life.
Click here to take the quiz, but keep reading to understand whether you can purchase them with your NDIS plan, and exactly how to go about it.
How do I know if it’s the right AT for me?
The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary AT based on your individual needs. When you use your NDIS funds to buy AT, it must be:
Related to your disability
Connected to your disability support needs, and
Provide good value for money (compared to other AT or supports that can do the same thing).
It’s a good idea to get advice and information about any assistive technology you are considering, to make sure it will meet your needs and be safe for you. Talk to AT experts (you can reach out to us in the Kinora community with any questions), your occupational therapist or anyone on your treating health team.
Together with Kinora, we’ve also created a checklist you can go through for each item you’re considering, to help make sure that you’re adhering to all of the NDIS rules about reasonable and necessary mentioned above.
The Categories of Assistive Technology
The NDIS categorises AT by both risk and cost level, and depending where an item sits, it will determine how you can access it.
There are three price categories of NDIS assistive technology:
Low-cost is under $1500 per item - these generally won’t require a quote or pre-approval and can usually be purchased with your Core funds.
Mid-cost is between $1500 and $5000 per item - they won’t always require a quote but the NDIS will need some evidence to support it, and it will be purchased from the Assistive Technology budget category (so you would need this added to your plan).
High-cost is over $5000 per item - these will need a quote and pre-approval to be added into your plan, they will usually be included as a “stated support”, meaning you can only use the funding for that exact item.
AT can range from simple products to complex systems. The NDIS uses two product risk categories ('low' and 'higher') to figure out how complex your AT needs are.
Low risk AT products are:
unlikely to cause harm in day-to-day life
Can be purchased in retail stores or online (like from The Chooze Shop)
easy to set up and safely use without professional advice.
High risk AT products are:
complex, such as a power wheelchair or lifter
known to have caused harm, or has the potential to cause you or someone else harm
potentially used for a restrictive practice
require professional advice, setup, or training for safe use.
You can learn more about how the NDIS categorises low and high-risk items by checking out their guidelines here, and if you’re not sure whether an item might be high risk for you, ask someone on your treating health team, Local Area Coordinator or NDIS planner, or ask the coaches on Kinora.
If the equipment you’re looking to purchase is mid or high cost, or it could fall under the high risk category, you’re going to need evidence (such as a letter from your GP, or maybe a report from your Occupational Therapist), as well as a cost estimate or quote.
You won’t be able to make the purchase unless NDIS approves it and adds the funding into your plan for you. Our best tip here is to gather all your evidence and quotes prior to your next planning meeting, or if it’s something you need urgently, get in touch with your LAC or Planner right away to see if your plan can be reassessed early.
If, however, you’re wanting to purchase an item that's low cost and low risk, the process is a lot simpler, so that’s what we're going to delve into now.
When Low-Cost and Low-Risk come together
Most low-cost assistive technology is also low-risk, however, some items fall under the high-risk category, which means you should seek advice before purchase.
Some examples of low cost AT that is also considered low risk include:
continence products
non-slip bathmats
large print labels
walking sticks
basic shower chairs.
For more examples of low cost AT you can take our quiz, or Kinora has a fact sheet you can check out here.
How does the NDIS fund low-cost assistive technology?
Low cost low risk AT can be purchased using your Core budget. As your Core budget is flexible, you don’t need to have “consumables” listed as a category, you just need to make sure you have the available funding when you consider your other supports being paid from Core.
The process for payment depends on how you have chosen to manage this section of your NDIS plan:
Self-managed - You can purchase the item from any provider (registered or unregistered) and claim the purchase through the myplace portal.
Plan managed - Purchase from registered or unregistered providers. Your plan manager will pay the provider from your NDIS funds.
Agency managed - You can only purchase from NDIS registered providers. A service booking must be created for each purchase.
Are there limits on what kind of low-cost AT will be funded?
Even though the NDIS doesn't limit the types of low-cost AT that can be paid for, it's important to make sure that the device is directly related to your disability, is reasonable and necessary, and helps you achieve your goals.
Some examples of low cost AT the NDIS will not fund include:
Internet access or data.
Items that most people have in the home such as a standard kettle or furniture.
Items for treatment or rehabilitation.
Children’s play equipment not connected to sensory needs.
Assessment or therapy tools used by therapists.
Our top tips for purchasing low-cost AT
Here’s our top tips to keep in mind when buying equipment:
Check your Core budget to see how much low-cost AT funding is available before you buy something.
Make sure that the purchase is in line with one of your NDIS-related goals.
Your NDIS funds can only be used to pay for the minimum amount of support you need. For example, you can't buy the most expensive model if the cheapest one is good enough for you. You can however use your own money to cover the difference.
Try your best to test the product. To determine if the item will be useful, examine, pick it up, touch, and feel it. If shopping online, compare similar products from different sellers to see which will be the best fit. The comparison tool on The Chooze Shop can help you make an informed choice by showing you side-by-side comparisons of features and prices.
There’s high potential with low cost AT
Keep in mind that there are plenty of low-cost AT options that can make a big difference in your day-to-day life and don't require NDIS approval. When applying for funding through the NDIS, it's important to make sure that the low-cost AT you're considering is appropriate, reasonable and necessary, and helps you reach your goals. Don’t forget to use our checklist for further assistance.
We’d love to help you out on The Chooze Shop, which offers a wide range of products for comparison.
Start exploring the world of low-cost assistive technology and discover how it can transform your life!
Image Description: The Chooze logo and the words “More choice. More control. Simply more.” Below is a cartoon orange road, with various people on it using different types of assistive technology.
If you’ve got any other questions about Assistive Technology or how to get the best from your NDIS funding, jump onto Kinora and reach out to a whole community of people who have been right where you are now, our knowledgeable coaches, as well as expert providers (including the Chooze team!).
