The supports lists, the reasonable and necessary test, and how to word a request so the answer is yes.
Two things decide whether the NDIS pays for something: whether it counts as an NDIS support at all, and whether it is reasonable and necessary for you.
Step 1 — Is it an NDIS support?
There are published lists of what is and is not an NDIS support. Day-to-day living costs everyone has — groceries, rent, general household items — and things the health, education or aged care systems provide sit outside the scheme.
Step 2 — Is it reasonable and necessary?
- It relates to your disability.
- It relates to a goal in your plan.
- It represents value for money compared with the alternatives.
- It is likely to be effective and beneficial for you.
- It is not something family, friends, the community or another service is expected to provide.
Step 3 — Word the request the way it is assessed
Name the support, name the goal it serves, describe what happens without it, and attach evidence from someone qualified. "I need more hours" is a wish. "Six hours a week of support to shop and prepare meals, so I can meet my goal of living independently, as recommended in the attached occupational therapy report" is a request.
If a request is refused, ask for the decision in writing and read the matching guideline. Most successful reviews are about better evidence, not stronger words.
References — official NDIS sources
Every fact in this post was checked against these pages on the day it was published.
- NDIS — Would we fund it (opens on the official site)
- NDIS Our Guidelines — Reasonable and necessary supports (opens on the official site)
- NDIS — Summary of legislation changes (opens on the official site)
General information only. Your own plan wording and current NDIS rules take precedence — check ndis.gov.au or talk to our team.