Assistive Technology NDIS Guide for Participants and Families

A plain-English guide to NDIS assistive technology funding - what it covers, who pays, how to find a good provider, and what red flags to watch for.

If your NDIS plan includes assistive technology funding, it covers equipment and devices that help you live more independently - things like wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing loops, home monitoring systems, and much more. The NDIS can fund assistive technology across a wide range of needs, but the process for accessing it can feel complicated. This guide walks you through what assistive technology actually is, how the NDIS pays for it, how to choose a good provider, and what warning signs to watch out for along the way.

What is assistive technology under the NDIS?

Assistive technology (AT) is any piece of equipment, device, or system that helps a person with disability do something they would otherwise find difficult or impossible to do independently. Under the NDIS, AT is one of the funded support categories, and it covers an enormous range of items.

The NDIS groups assistive technology into four levels of complexity:

Low cost AT - items under $1,500 that carry low risk and are easy to trial, such as shower chairs, non-slip mats, or basic communication apps.
Low-to-medium complexity AT - items that may need some customisation or a short trial period, such as adjustable beds or specialised seating.
High complexity AT - items that require a formal assessment by an AT specialist, such as powered wheelchairs, complex communication devices, or home automation systems.
Very high complexity AT - highly customised or life-critical items that involve significant clinical assessment, trialling, and ongoing support.

The higher the complexity level, the more evidence and assessment the NDIS will expect before approving funding. For high and very high complexity items, you will almost always need a written report from a qualified AT assessor - usually an occupational therapist or speech pathologist, depending on the type of equipment.

AT is funded under the Assistive Technology support category in your plan. It sits separately from your Core Supports and Capacity Building budgets, so it is important to check which budget line the funding sits in when you receive your plan.

Who pays for assistive technology - and how does the funding work?

The NDIS pays for assistive technology that is considered "reasonable and necessary" for your disability-related needs. That phrase matters a lot. The NDIA will look at whether the item is directly related to your disability, whether it offers value for money, and whether it helps you work toward your plan goals.

A few things to understand about how AT funding works in practice:

Quotes are often required. For items over $1,500, the NDIS will generally want at least one formal quote from a registered provider before approving the funding. For high complexity items, two or three quotes may be expected.
Trials are encouraged. The NDIS strongly encourages participants to trial AT before purchasing. This is especially important for expensive or custom items - a piece of equipment that works for one person may not suit another.
Repairs and maintenance can also be funded. If your plan includes AT funding, it may also cover servicing, repairs, and consumable parts like batteries or cushion covers, depending on how the funding is set up.
Some items are excluded. The NDIS does not fund AT that is considered a general household item (like a standard laptop), equipment that should be funded through another system (like Medicare or the health system), or items that are not related to your disability.

If you are unsure whether a particular item is fundable, your support coordinator or local area coordinator (LAC) is a good first point of contact. You can also check the NDIS website for guidance on what falls within the AT category.

For participants who are self-managing or plan-managing their AT budget, there is more flexibility around which providers you can use. Participants using agency-managed funding must use NDIS-registered providers for AT. You can learn more about how the participant experience works on the OpenWay page for NDIS participants and families.

How to choose an assistive technology provider

Choosing the right AT provider is one of the most important decisions you will make in this process. The provider is not just selling you a product - they are responsible for making sure that product is correctly fitted, properly set up, and suitable for your specific needs.

What to look for in a good AT provider

A good AT provider will:

Ask about your goals and daily life, not just your diagnosis. They should want to understand how you use your home, whether you travel, who supports you, and what you are hoping the equipment will help you do.
Offer a trial or demonstration before you commit to a purchase, particularly for higher-cost items.
Work alongside your AT assessor, rather than bypassing the assessment process. If a provider is pushing you to buy something without involving your occupational therapist or other assessor, that is a concern.
Provide clear written quotes that itemise costs, including delivery, setup, training, and any ongoing service agreements.
Explain your rights and the cancellation or return process clearly before you sign anything.
Have appropriate registration or qualifications for the type of AT they are supplying. Registered NDIS providers are audited against the NDIS Practice Standards, which include specific requirements for AT.

When you are comparing providers, it helps to look at their profile information, the range of products they carry, and whether they have experience with your specific type of disability or equipment need. Browse NDIS assistive technology providers in your area to compare options and send enquiries from one place.

Questions to ask a potential AT provider

Before committing to a provider, consider asking:

Do you supply and support this type of equipment regularly, or is it something you occasionally deal with?
Can I trial the item before purchase? If so, for how long?
What happens if the equipment does not suit me after I receive it?
Who do I contact if something breaks down or needs adjustment?
Are you a registered NDIS provider, and can you supply under my funding type?
What does your quote include - and what is not included?

Getting clear answers to these questions in writing protects you and makes it easier to compare providers fairly.

The assessment process: what to expect

For anything beyond low-cost AT, you will likely need a formal assessment before the NDIS will approve funding. Here is a rough outline of how that process typically works:

Identify the need. You, your support coordinator, or a therapist notices that a particular piece of equipment might help you reach your goals.
Get a referral for assessment. Your GP, support coordinator, or LAC can help you access an AT assessor. In most cases this is an occupational therapist, though speech pathologists assess communication devices and other specialists may be involved for specific equipment.
Attend the assessment. The assessor will observe how you function in your environment, ask about your goals, and identify suitable AT options.
Trial the equipment. Where possible, the assessor will arrange a trial of the recommended item or items.
The assessor writes a report. This report is submitted to the NDIA as evidence to support the funding request.
The NDIA makes a decision. If approved, the funding is added to your plan. If not, you can request a review.

This process can take time, particularly for complex items. Starting early - ideally well before your current plan is due for review - gives you the best chance of having funding in place when you need it.

Support coordinators play an important role in coordinating this process. If you work with a support coordinator, they can help you access an assessor, liaise with providers, and track where things are up to. The OpenWay support coordinator workspace is designed to help coordinators manage exactly this kind of multi-step process across multiple participants.

Red flags to watch for with AT providers

Unfortunately, not every provider in the AT space operates with the participant's best interests at heart. The NDIS Commission has taken action against providers who have misused AT funding, supplied unsuitable equipment, or pressured participants into purchases that were not appropriate for their needs.

Watch out for these warning signs:

Pressure to purchase quickly, especially before a trial or assessment has been completed.
Vague or bundled quotes that make it hard to see what you are actually paying for.
Discouraging you from involving your therapist or support coordinator in the decision.
Offering to "sort out the paperwork" for you in a way that feels like they are managing your plan or making decisions on your behalf.
Unusually high prices with no clear explanation of what justifies the cost.
No clear process for repairs, returns, or complaints.

If something feels wrong, trust that instinct. You can raise concerns with the NDIS Commission, or ask your support coordinator or LAC for a second opinion. OpenWay's trust and safety information explains how provider profiles on the marketplace are verified and what standards providers are expected to meet.

Frequently asked

Can I use my Core Supports budget to buy assistive technology? Generally, no. Assistive technology has its own funding category in your NDIS plan. However, some low-cost items that are used as part of daily living supports may occasionally be funded from Core, depending on how your plan is written. Check with your support coordinator or LAC if you are unsure which budget applies to a specific item.

What if the NDIS does not fund the AT I need? If the NDIA decides not to fund a requested item, you have the right to request an internal review of that decision. If the internal review outcome is still not satisfactory, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for an independent review. Having a detailed assessment report from a qualified AT assessor is one of the strongest things you can do to support your case.

Do I need a registered provider for assistive technology? If your AT funding is NDIA-managed, yes - you must use a registered NDIS provider. If you are plan-managed or self-managing, you have more flexibility, though it is still important to choose a provider with relevant experience and qualifications. Some complex AT items may also have specific regulatory requirements regardless of your management type.

How OpenWay can help

Finding an assistive technology provider that genuinely understands your needs takes time - and comparing multiple options can feel overwhelming when you are also navigating assessments, plan reviews, and everything else that comes with managing an NDIS plan.

OpenWay is a free marketplace for NDIS participants, families, and support coordinators. You can browse NDIS assistive technology providers across Australia, filter by location and support type, read provider profiles, and send enquiries directly - all from one place, at no cost to participants.

If you are a support coordinator helping a participant source AT options, the OpenWay coordinator tools are built to make shortlisting and sharing provider options straightforward.

OpenWay is not part of the NDIS, NDIA or NDIS Commission. Final scope, pricing, travel, cancellation rules and non-face-to-face charges must be confirmed in a written service agreement between the participant (or their authorised support person) and the provider.

This article was written by OpenWay editorial with AI assistance. We review for accuracy + tone but the framing rules of the NDIS apply: nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice. Always check the NDIS Commission and your plan for the latest rules.