After announcing that NDIS supports will be changing from Thursday, 3 October 2024, the NDIS have now released the lists of what you can and cannot spend your child’s funding on.
We understand that these changes can be confusing and overwhelming for parents and carers. That’s why the team at Kiind are familiarising ourselves with these new rules, so we can break down what it means for you and your family and offer support along the way.
What can you spend NDIS funding on?
As of now, you can only use NDIS funding on this list of approved supports.
You can find the Easy Read version here.
Most things that families use their child’s NDIS Plan for are on this list, including:
- Support workers
- Allied health therapies, such as speech therapy and occupational therapy workers
- Specialist positive behaviour support
- Specialist equipment
- Adaptive products
- Group activities (including during the school holidays)
- Short-term accommodation
- Support coordination
- Plan management
If there’s something in your child’s NDIS Plan that’s not on this list, but was previously passed by the AAT, your child can continue using it for the remaining time of their current Plan.
What can’t you spend NDIS funding on?
The supports that NDIS will not be funding are on this list.
You can find the Easy Read version here.
This includes supports that are not “evidence based” or directly linked to your child’s disability, such as:
- Day to day living costs (including food, rent and clothes)
- Standard indoor or outdoor play equipment
- General health, fitness, social or recreational activity costs
- General parenting programs
- Costs associated with early childhood education or school
- Smart phones, smart watches and tablets
- Alternative therapies such as crystal therapy
Replacement Supports
If your child needs something that is not on the approved list, you can make a request to the NDIA.
In some cases, they may fund items that are not on the approved list. These are called replacement supports. This includes smart phones, smart watches and tablets and more.
You can see the full list of approved replacement supports here.
You can find the Easy Read guide here.
In your request, you must prove that the replacement support will be of equal or better value to your child than what’s on the approved list.
You must have written approval from the NDIA before purchasing a replacement support.
What happens if you make a mistake?
There is a 12-month transition period. This means that if you accidentally spend funding on a support that isn’t approved, you will not receive any penalties as long as:
- The item costs less than $1,500 and,
- You haven’t made a mistake more than twice. If you make a third mistake, you may be debited to the NDIS.
For Plan Managers and other providers, this transition period is 30 days.
What’s next?
We’ll keep you updated with more important information as it’s released by the NDIS. For your own records, it’s also a good idea to save all written communications you receive from the NDIS and keep track of what you discussed in any other conversations you have with them.
In the meantime, you’re welcome to reach out to our Peer Navigation team for support by booking a free Pathway Planning session or emailing us at hello@kiind.com.au.