NDIS Assistive Technology Explained 2026: Complete Funding Guide

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A reclining shower chair. A custom-fit power wheelchair. A speech-to-text app on an iPad. A bed that lifts to a safe transfer height. A hearing aid built for swimming. Each of these is NDIS assistive technology: and each follows a different funding path, a different approval process, and a different evidence requirement. Knowing which path applies to which item is the difference between an approval that takes a week and one that drags on for months.

This guide explains how the NDIS funds assistive technology in 2026, the three cost tiers, the four risk levels, the evidence the NDIA needs at each level, who can be your AT assessor, what repairs and maintenance are covered, when you can hire instead of buy, and what the 2026 reforms mean for participants currently waiting on AT approvals. Every figure and rule is verified against the NDIS Operational Guidelines, the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26, and the National Disability Insurance Agency’s published AT guidance.

What Is NDIS Assistive Technology?

The NDIA defines assistive technology (AT) as “any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed.”

In practical terms, NDIS assistive technology includes:

Mobility equipment: manual and powered wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks, scooters, transfer aids
Daily living aids: shower chairs, raised toilet seats, adapted cutlery, dressing aids, kitchen aids, jar openers
Beds and pressure care: adjustable beds, pressure-relief mattresses, bed rails, hoists, slings
Communication aids: speech-generating devices, communication boards, apps that turn an iPad or tablet into a communication device
Hearing and vision technology: specialised hearing aids related to a permanent hearing impairment, water-resistant hearing aid covers, replacement cochlear implant speech processors, screen readers, magnifiers, braille devices
Personal safety: personal alarms, fall sensors, GPS trackers
Vehicle and transport modifications: wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications, hoists, hand controls (the modification, not the vehicle itself)
Prosthetics and orthotics: artificial limbs, splints, AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses)
Environmental controls and smart home technology: switches, voice-controlled lighting and door openers

To be funded by the NDIS, an item must be reasonable and necessary, directly related to your disability, help you achieve your NDIS plan goals, and represent value for money. Items the NDIS will not fund include day-to-day items most people use regardless of disability (a standard fridge, a regular bed), recreational items, or anything covered by the health, education or aged care systems.

The Three NDIS Assistive Technology Cost Tiers

The NDIA uses a three-tier system based on the cost of the item. Each tier has different evidence requirements and a different approval path:

Tier	Cost	Evidence Required	Typical Funding Source
Low-cost AT	Under $1,500 per item	No quote or AT advisor required. Buy when you need it.	Core Supports – Consumables
Mid-cost AT	$1,500 to $15,000 per item	Written advice from an AT assessor (typically an OT) explaining why the item is reasonable and necessary	Capital Supports – stated
High-cost AT	Over $15,000 per item	Full AT assessment report + supplier quote. NDIA must approve before purchase.	Capital Supports – stated

The mid-cost threshold was raised from $5,000 to $15,000 in 2024, which significantly sped up approvals for items like manual wheelchairs, shower commodes, and standard beds. For most participants, this means the bulk of everyday AT purchases now sit in the mid-cost tier with a simpler approval path.

The Four NDIS Assistive Technology Risk Levels

Alongside the cost tiers, the NDIA classifies AT into four risk levels (sometimes called complexity levels). Risk is about how much potential harm an item could cause if used incorrectly, not how expensive it is.

Risk Level	Description	Examples
Level 1. Basic	Low risk, can be safely chosen and used without specialist input	Non-slip bathmats, adapted cutlery, jar openers, large-print calendars
Level 2. Standard	Mostly off-the-shelf, may need simple assessment	Walking sticks, shower stools, raised toilet seats, off-the-shelf rollators
Level 3. Specialised	Requires specialist assessment and configuration	Manual wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids, adjustable beds
Level 4. Complex	High risk, requires advanced specialist assessment and prescription	Powered wheelchairs, custom seating systems, complex orthotics, ceiling hoists, vehicle modifications

Items regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), wheelchairs, beds, vehicle modifications, prosthetics, sit at Level 3 or Level 4 by default. The cost tier and risk level work together: a $20,000 powered wheelchair is both high-cost and Complex, so it needs both a specialist AT assessor and full NDIA approval.

Who Can Assess Your NDIS Assistive Technology Needs?

For mid-cost and high-cost AT, you need written evidence from a qualified AT assessor. The NDIA recognises several types of assessor depending on the item:

Occupational therapists (OTs): the most common AT assessor for daily living equipment, mobility aids, home modifications, and seating systems
Physiotherapists: for mobility devices, walking aids, and rehabilitation equipment
Speech pathologists: for communication devices and speech-generating technology
Audiologists: for hearing aids and assistive listening devices
Orthotists and prosthetists: for splints, braces, artificial limbs
AT advisors: generalist AT specialists who can assess across categories, particularly useful for participants with multiple AT needs

For high-cost or Complex AT, the NDIA may require the assessor to have specific qualifications or experience. A general OT, for example, may not be qualified to assess a complex powered wheelchair seating system, that often requires a seating specialist.

If you do not yet have an OT or other assessor, your support coordinator can help connect you with one. AT assessment hours are funded from your Capacity Building. Improved Daily Living budget, see our NDIS Capacity Building Supports guide for that category.

Capital Supports: Where NDIS Assistive Technology Sits

Mid-cost and high-cost NDIS assistive technology is funded from your Capital Supports budget. This sits in its own ring-fenced category alongside home modifications.

Capital Supports are stated: meaning the funding is allocated for a specific item or specific category and cannot be used for anything else. If your plan has $18,000 stated for a powered wheelchair, you cannot use that money for support workers, therapy, or anything outside the AT category.

This is a deliberate design feature. The NDIA wants to make sure money set aside for essential equipment actually gets spent on that equipment. The flip side is that Capital Supports require quotes and formal assessments before you can spend the money, the process takes longer than spending from your flexible Core budget.

Low-cost AT (under $1,500) often comes from your Core Supports – Consumables budget, which is much more flexible. For a deeper look at the difference, see our NDIS Core Supports guide.

How the NDIS Assistive Technology Approval Process Works

For mid-cost and high-cost items, the typical process looks like this:

Identify the need: you, your family, or your support coordinator identifies that you need a piece of AT to achieve a goal in your plan
Get an assessment: an AT assessor (usually an OT) reviews your functional needs and recommends a suitable piece of equipment
Trial the equipment: for high-cost items, the assessor will arrange for you to trial the equipment first to make sure it fits, works, and is comfortable
Obtain a supplier quote: required for any item over $15,000 and sometimes earlier
Compile the AT report: your assessor produces a written report explaining why the item is reasonable and necessary
Submit to the NDIA: your assessor or support coordinator submits the report and quote through the NDIA portal
NDIA decision: the NDIA reviews and approves, requests more information, or in rare cases declines
Purchase and delivery: once approved, you (or your plan manager) place the order and the supplier delivers
Set-up and training: your assessor or supplier helps set up the equipment and trains you in safe use

The whole process can take anywhere from a few weeks (mid-cost, off-the-shelf items) to several months (complex powered wheelchairs requiring custom seating). Plan ahead, if you know your current wheelchair will need replacing in 12 months, start the assessment now.

Repairs, Maintenance and Replacement of NDIS Assistive Technology

Once you own a piece of AT, the NDIS continues to fund its upkeep through Support Category 19. Assistive Technology Maintenance, Repair and Rental. You do not need a fresh assessment to access these funds, they are included in your plan automatically based on the mid-cost or high-cost AT you already use.

What’s covered

Regular maintenance: annual servicing, battery replacement on powered wheelchairs, tyre replacement
Repairs: fixing breakdowns and damage
Replacement parts: wheels, cushions, joysticks, charger cables
Rental equipment while yours is being repaired: so you are not without mobility while waiting
Full replacement if the cost of repair exceeds the value of the item or the item is at end of life

Urgent repairs

The NDIA recognises that an AT breakdown can leave a participant unsafe or stranded. For urgent repairs (e.g. a powered wheelchair stops working), you can authorise the repair without prior NDIA approval and claim it afterward. Document the urgency in writing, a quick email to your support coordinator at the time helps if anyone queries it later.

Who does the repair?

Use a qualified AT repair provider, preferably the original supplier or an NDIA-registered AT service. For complex items (powered wheelchairs, hoists, complex orthotics), only authorised technicians should perform repairs to maintain warranties and safety certifications.

Hiring or Trialling NDIS Assistive Technology

You do not always have to buy. Hiring (rental) is a real option under the NDIS, and trialling is often required before a high-cost purchase.

Short-term hire: if you have a temporary need (post-surgery recovery, an injury, a holiday), the NDIS can fund equipment hire instead of purchase
Trials: before committing to a high-cost purchase (powered wheelchair, custom seating), the assessor will usually arrange a trial period so you can confirm the equipment fits your needs
Temporary loaners: while you wait for a new piece of equipment to be manufactured or delivered, the NDIS can fund a loan of similar equipment so you are not without mobility
Loan banks: some health services and community organisations run AT loan banks for short-term needs; your OT will often know what is available locally

Rental costs are funded under Support Category 19 (or sometimes Core Supports for very low-cost items). For longer-term needs, purchase is usually more cost-effective than rental.

Second-hand and Refurbished NDIS Assistive Technology

Buying second-hand or refurbished AT is allowed and often a smart choice for items that retain their value (manual wheelchairs, beds, hoists). The NDIA encourages it when it represents better value for money.

What to watch for:

Safety certification: second-hand items should be inspected and certified by a qualified AT provider, especially for higher-risk items (Level 3 and Level 4)
Remaining service life: a 10-year-old powered wheelchair may be cheaper upfront but cost more in repairs
Warranty: second-hand items usually have shorter or no manufacturer warranty
Customisation fit: items that need to fit your body (wheelchair seating, orthotics) are rarely suitable second-hand

Some manufacturers and disability service organisations sell refurbished AT with warranty included, these are often the best of both worlds.

What the 2026 NDIS Reforms Mean for Assistive Technology

The 2026 NDIS reforms (the package legislated through the Getting the NDIS Back on Track Act 2024 and refined through the NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2026) do not restructure the AT funding categories themselves. The three cost tiers, four risk levels, and Capital Supports structure remain in place.

The main practical changes affecting AT users are:

I-CAN v6 assessment from mid-2026: when your plan is reviewed under the new framework planning, your AT needs will be measured using the I-CAN v6 functional assessment tool. This may surface AT needs you have not previously been funded for. See our NDIS Plan Assessment Tool guide for what to expect.
Stronger guidance on reasonable and necessary: the NDIA is publishing clearer guidance on what AT will and will not be funded. The intent is consistency, not reduction.
SIL Mandatory Registration from 1 July 2026: affects providers, not the AT itself, but may shift which providers can deliver AT to SIL participants
Foundational Supports from mid-2026: some lower-intensity supports may shift to state-funded foundational support streams. AT is unlikely to be affected, but related supports (basic equipment in mainstream education or aged-care settings) may move.

If you currently use AT and have a plan review coming up, the most important thing is to make sure your AT report is up to date and your OT or AT assessor can speak to your functional need under the I-CAN v6 framework. Talk to your support coordinator early.

NDIS Assistive Technology: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ordering before approval: for mid-cost and high-cost AT, the NDIA approval must come first. Ordering early without approval risks being out of pocket.
Using an under-qualified assessor: a general OT cannot always sign off a Complex Level 4 powered wheelchair. Check that your assessor has the right credentials for the item.
Skipping the trial: for high-cost items, trials catch fit and comfort issues that no amount of paperwork can prevent
Ignoring maintenance funding: if your plan does not include Support Category 19 maintenance funds and you have AT, ask for them at your next review
Buying iPads or tablets without evidence: the NDIA funds tablets only when they are being used as a communication device or for another disability-related purpose, with written evidence. A general-use iPad is not funded.
Forgetting to budget for installation: some AT (ceiling hoists, vehicle modifications) has significant installation costs on top of the equipment cost. Make sure your quote includes them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NDIS assistive technology?

NDIS assistive technology (AT) is any device or system that helps you do things you would otherwise be unable to do because of your disability, from non-slip bathmats to powered wheelchairs to speech-generating devices. The NDIS funds AT when it is reasonable and necessary, related to your disability, helps you achieve plan goals, and represents value for money.

What is the difference between low-cost, mid-cost and high-cost AT?

Low-cost AT is under $1,500 per item, no quote or AT advisor needed. Mid-cost AT is $1,500 to $15,000, needs written advice from a qualified AT assessor. High-cost AT is over $15,000, needs a full AT assessment report and a supplier quote, with NDIA approval before purchase.

Does the NDIS fund iPads and tablets?

Yes, but only when the device is being used for a specific disability-related purpose, most commonly as a communication device for a participant with speech or language disability. You will need written evidence (typically from a speech pathologist or OT) explaining the disability-related need. A general-use tablet is not funded.

Does the NDIS fund wheelchair repairs?

Yes. Repairs, maintenance, replacement parts, and rental equipment while your chair is being repaired are all funded under Support Category 19. Assistive Technology Maintenance, Repair and Rental. You do not need a new assessment to access these funds.

Can I hire NDIS assistive technology instead of buying it?

Yes. The NDIS funds equipment hire for short-term needs, while you wait for a permanent item to be delivered, or during trial periods. For long-term needs, purchasing is usually more cost-effective than ongoing rental.

How long does NDIS assistive technology approval take?

It varies. Mid-cost off-the-shelf items can be approved in a few weeks. High-cost Complex items (powered wheelchairs with custom seating, vehicle modifications) often take several months because of the assessment, trial, quote, and NDIA review steps. Plan ahead, start the process early.

Who can be my NDIS AT assessor?

Depending on the item, it could be an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, orthotist, prosthetist, or specialist AT advisor. For Complex Level 4 items, your assessor needs specific qualifications and experience, a general OT may not be enough.

Can I use a second-hand wheelchair under the NDIS?

Yes, if it is safety-certified by a qualified AT provider and represents value for money. Second-hand works best for items that retain their value (manual wheelchairs, hoists, beds). For items that need to fit your body (powered wheelchair seating, orthotics), new is usually better.

Will the 2026 NDIS reforms change assistive technology funding?

The cost tiers and risk levels remain the same. The main change is that from mid-2026, your functional need for AT will be assessed using the I-CAN v6 tool as part of the new framework planning process. Get your AT report up to date before your next plan review.

What happens if my NDIS assistive technology breaks unexpectedly?

For urgent breakdowns where you are left unsafe (powered wheelchair stops, hoist fails), you can authorise repair without prior NDIA approval and claim afterward. Document the urgency, use a qualified repair provider, and contact your support coordinator the same day.

How Centre of Hope Can Help

Navigating NDIS assistive technology is one of the more paperwork-heavy parts of the scheme, and one where a steady support coordinator earns their keep. At Centre of Hope, we help participants across NSW:

Identify what AT might genuinely help based on your goals, daily routines, and home setup
Connect you with the right assessor: OT, physio, speech pathologist, or specialist AT advisor, for your specific need
Coordinate trials and equipment demonstrations before high-cost purchases
Project-manage the quote, report, and NDIA submission so nothing stalls
Track approval status and chase the NDIA if anything is taking longer than it should
Set up ongoing maintenance arrangements so your AT keeps working year after year
Build AT review into your plan reviews so funding stays current as your needs change

AT should make your life easier, not bury you in process. With the right support coordinator on your side, the equipment you need ends up where it belongs, in your hands.

Your goals. Your plan. Our support.

📞 Call us: 0432 250 900
🌐 Visit: centreofhope.com.au
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