What's Covered by the NDIS?

When you’re self-managing your NDIS plan, it’s important to understand what expenses the NDIS will cover. The NDIS only funds supports that are disability-related, which means they must directly help with your disability and align with your goals.

Disability-Related vs. Everyday Items

What is a Disability-Related Support?

A disability-related support is something you need because of your disability. If you didn’t have your disability, you wouldn’t need this support or item.

Examples of Disability-Related Supports:

• Assistive Technology: Equipment like wheelchairs or communication devices to help with daily tasks.
• Consumables: Items like continence products or nutrition aids if they relate to your health needs.
• Therapies: Physical therapy or speech therapy to help with movement or communication.

Read more about disability-related health supports on the NDIS website

What is an Everyday Item?

Everyday items are things most people need, whether they have a disability or not. The NDIS does not cover these costs.

Examples of Everyday Items:

• Groceries: Food and drinks.
• Household Items: Appliances like a fridge or furniture.
• Rent and Utilities: Costs for rent, water, electricity, and internet.
• Phone and Internet Bills: General costs for phone and internet services.

Quick Check

• Ask yourself, “If I didn’t have my disability, would I still need this item?”
• Yes? It’s likely an everyday item and won’t be covered.
• No? It might be disability-related and covered by your plan.

Explaining Your Needs

When explaining why you need a support, it’s helpful to answer questions like:

• How does this support help with my daily activities?
• Would I still need this support if I didn’t have my disability?
• What challenges does my disability create that this support solves?

Example:

• “I need a mobility aid to help me move around my home independently. Without it, my disability makes walking difficult and unsafe.”

Providing clear answers like this helps show why a support is needed for your disability.

Activity: Identify Disability-Related Supports

1. List two items or supports you currently use or plan to use with your NDIS funding.
2. Ask yourself: Would I need this if I didn’t have my disability?
• If the answer is No, the support may be covered.
• If the answer is Yes, it’s likely an everyday item and won’t be covered.