What is In vs Out – NDIS Supports: Capital & Assistive Technology/ Home Modifications

Capital Supports include higher-cost pieces of assistive technology, repairs and rental of assistive technology, equipment and home or vehicle modifications, and funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation. It is important to remember that funds within the Capital Supports budget can only be used for their specific purpose and cannot be used to pay for anything else.

The Capital Support budget has four support categories:

• Assistive Technology – includes equipment items for mobility, personal care, communication and recreational inclusion (e.g. wheelchairs or vehicle modifications).

• Assistive Technology Repairs and Rental- or example, supports to repair and maintain assistive technology, short-term rental and trial of assistive technology.

• Home Modifications- home modifications such as the installation of a handrail in a bathroom or a ramp to access the home.

• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)- is a specially designed house for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who require special housing because of their disability.

The "In" and "Out" lists detail what can and can not be purchased when it comes to assistive technology, vehicle modifications, and home modifications. There is now more clarification around using NDIS funding for pools, spa baths, saunas and steam rooms, which was a grey area previously.

When reading through the NDIS Support list, remember that just because a support is "In" doesn't mean it is automatically a support or service anyone can access. Anything paid for with NDIS funding must directly relate to your disability needs. It is also important to know that the "In" NDIS Support list is not exhaustive. Every participant is different and has different needs, so it is impossible to list every support or service that could be deemed reasonable and necessary for a participant.

You should always speak with your NDIS contact (local area coordinator, early childhood partner or NDIA planner) for clarity about the new NDIS supports. They can give you answers around how the changes might affect your situation based on the supports and services you have been accessing.