On Tuesday 1 October 2024, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) released the NDIS support lists that define what supports the NDIS can pay for.
These NDIS support lists are not final. They will be used until all governments agree on the final rules for what supports the NDIS can pay for.
Many other changes, alongside these NDIS support lists, will start on Thursday 3 October 2024. This blog post focuses on the NDIS support lists and what we currently know about them.
Key points
- New support lists begin on 3 October: The new lists define what supports the NDIS will pay for, which might impact access and planning decisions from 3 October. The new lists are temporary until the Australian, state and territory governments agree on the final rules.
- The new support lists do not show everything: The new lists do not include all supports. If you don’t see a support on the allowed list it doesn’t mean you can’t get it. In some cases, you can still get a not allowed support by asking for a replacement support.
- Changes will affect everyone differently: These lists will affect each participant in different ways. The support lists will usually apply to new or reviewed plans, but it’s a good idea to check with the NDIA before trying to use NDIS money for a support that is not allowed.
- Reasonable and necessary supports before 3 October 2024: You can keep using supports that are now not allowed if they were approved as reasonable and necessary before 3 October 2024. This also includes supports that the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) said should be funded by the NDIS for you.
- You may owe money for using NDIS funds for supports not allowed: For 12 months, if you use a support that’s not allowed and costs less than $1500, you will get two warnings before you might have to pay money back. If you use a support that’s not allowed and costs more than $1500, you will likely need to pay that money back unless it’s an honest mistake. If you want to use a not allowed support, it’s best to ask for a replacement support first to avoid owing money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are NDIS support lists? Where can I find the new lists?
The new NDIS support lists tell you what supports the NDIS will pay for in your NDIS plan. There are three lists
- A list of supports that the NDIS supports (allowed list)
- A list that are not NDIS supports (not allowed list)
- A list of supports that can replace the ones on the not allowed list (replacement supports)
You can find these support lists on the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) website. Here is the link.
- Will there be more accessible versions of the lists?
We know the current lists are not easy to read for everyone. We are disappointed that the lists were not accessible from the beginning. We have told the NDIA about this problem, and they said that more accessible versions of the lists will be ready soon.
In the meantime, our friends at Inclusion Australia have more accessible information about some of the changes. You can access that information here.
- Why are the lists being introduced?
The Australian Government said they are making these lists to make clear what disability supports they will pay for through the NDIS. The Government also thinks some other supports should be paid for by state and territory governments.
The Government is making these lists because they want to spend less money on the NDIS.
PWDA and the disability community do not agree with the lists. There was very little consultation with people about these changes.
- How were the lists developed?
The lists were made because the law changed when the NDIS Act was updated. The new law created the lists. The Australian Government shared a draft of the lists and asked for feedback for a short time. PWDA and other groups gave feedback. The Government used this feedback to help make the final lists.
The feedback, including PWDA’s, was shared on 2 October. You can find it here.
- How will the lists affect me?
Every NDIS participant has different needs. The changes starting on 3 October will not be the same for everyone.
It is important to know that the supports and services you use in your current NDIS plan should not change. The lists apply to new NDIS plans and if your current plan is reviewed.
The NDIA has told us they have added more people to the National Contact Centre who can help you understand how the changes affect your plan. You can call the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110 to find out how you will be affected. Press 1 for the special hotline. There will be also more information on the NDIA’s website here.
If you need more help, PWDA has advocates who can help you. Call PWDA on 1800 422 015 if you would like to speak to an advocate.
- How do I use the lists to understand if the NDIS will pay for a support?
It’s important to know that the lists do not show everything. This means if you don’t see a support on the allowed list, it doesn’t mean you can’t get it.
The allowed list has different categories with descriptions that explain what each category is for. For example, one category is called “Assistance in coordinating or managing life stages, transitions and supports.” This category includes help for managing changes in life. The list also gives examples of supports.
If the examples on the allowed list don’t match the support you want, you should next check the not allowed list. If your support is not included on the not allowed list, there is a good chance you can still get it.
- What happens to supports that used to be allowed but are no longer allowed in the lists?
You can keep using supports and services that are now not allowed if they were already approved as reasonable and necessary before 3 October 2024. This includes supports that the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) decided should be funded for an individual.
This rule does not include sexual services, alcohol or drugs. PWDA believes that sexual supports should be included.
- What if I want to use a support or service that is not on the lists?
The lists do not include everything. If don’t see a support or service you need on the allowed list it doesn’t mean you can’t use NDIS money for it. For more information see our answer to Q6 above.
- Can I use NDIS money for a support that is not allowed in the NDIS support lists?
In some cases, you can use NDIS money for a support that is not allowed in the NDIS support lists.
After significant advocacy, some supports that the Australian Government were thinking about not allowing can still be funded by the NDIS. These supports include:
- Standard commercially available household items
- Smart watches
- Tablets
- Smart phones
- Apps for accessibility and communication purposes
To use NDIS money for a support that is not normally allowed, you need to go through the new replacement support process. To get a replacement support approved, the NDIA needs to agree the replacement support gives the same or better outcomes and costs the same or less than another support in your plan.
You should apply for a replacement support before using the not allowed support. You will be able to apply for a replacement support per category once a year. You can apply for a replacement support on the NDIS website or provide the necessary information in an email or over the phone.
- What happens if I use a support that is not allowed? Will I owe money?
As mentioned in Q9, if you want to use NDIS money for a support that is not allowed, you should go through the replacement support process before buying it.
It will take time for people to understand the changes so the new rules say you won’t owe money (have a debt) for supports and services that are not allowed if they cost less than $1,500. This rule will apply for 12 months from 3 October 2024 and apply to every participant. NDIS providers have 30 days to follow the rule.
The NDIA has said they will help people understand the changes. They will contact you twice to explain what can be paid for by the NDIS before they ask you to pay back money for supports and services costing less than $1,500.
However, you may owe money if you access a supports and/or services that are not allowed and costs more than $1500. If you are thinking of accessing a supports and services not allowed in the lists that costs more than $1500, it is important you try and go through the replacement support process first or you could owe the NDIA money (have a debt).
If you make an honest mistake and use NDIS money for a support or service that costs more than $1500 and is not allowed, the NDIA will see if there are ‘special circumstances’ before deciding if you have to pay the money back. Your disability will be considered when deciding if ‘special circumstances’ apply.
The NDIA has told us a factsheet about when you might owe money (have a debt) will be shared soon.
- What if I bought a support that is not allowed, or made plans to access a support that is not allowed before 3 October?
Any supports that are not allowed from 3 October 2024 but were bought and provided before 3 October should not be affected.
But, if you made plans for a support or service to be provided after 3 October 2024, and that support was not identified as reasonable and necessary by the NDIA and/or the AAT before 3 October 2024 (see Q7 for more info), that support or service should be cancelled.
The NDIA told us you can claim back cancellation fees if this happens.
- If I might lose supports where can I get them?
PWDA is very worried about this too. This is one of the main reasons we disagreed with the changes!
You might have heard about new supports called “foundational supports.” These supports will be available to all people with disability not just people on the NDIS. Some supports you used to get from the NDIS might come from foundational supports, but we still don’t know exactly what a foundational support is!
We expect that foundational supports will include supports you can get through state and territory government services, like the education system. We also expect foundational supports will include supports that all people with disability can access. This might mean accessing mental health supports through community mental health.
The Australian Government and state and territory governments will work together to decide what foundational supports are. They have agreed to co-fund and provide these supports.
PWDA will continue to advocate for people with disability to get equal access to good quality supports outside of the NDIS, so there are no gaps and supports will not be worse outside the NDIS.
Do you have more questions?
If you have any more questions, you have a few options:
The NDIA will start contacting NDIS participants about the changes starting October 2. After you hear from the NDIA, if you still have more questions here’s what you can do:
- Read about the changes on the NDIA website here.
- Call the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110. Press 1 for a dedicated hotline.
- Contact PWDA by email at policy@pwd.org.au or call us on 1800 422 015.
National Relay Service
If you’re deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech communication difficulty, you can contact PWDA through the National Relay Service online or call 133 677 (landline or TTY only) and give the number 1800 422 015.
For an interpreter
Call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call People with Disability Australia.
These changes can be upsetting
The changes can make people feel upset. PWDA was very disappointed to hear the changes would happen because we strongly disagreed with them.
Please remember to take care of yourself and do what you need to feel better.
If you need support, here are some options:
- Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or use the Webchat through their website for crisis support and suicide prevention services if you are experiencing a personal crisis
- Carer Gateway – Call 1800 643 787 or visit their website for a wide range of help, including counselling and peer support groups
- National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline – Call 1800 464 800 for free, independent and confidential reporting of abuse and neglect of people with disability
- 1800 RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or use the Webchat through their website, for support if you have been impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, family violence, or abuse
- Beyond Blue – Call 1300 22 4636 or use the Webchat through their website for support, information and referrals if you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, or experiencing a difficult time
- Blue Knot Helpline – Call 1300 657 380 to speak with a trauma counsellor if you have any experiences of childhood trauma
- QLife – Call 1800 184 527 or use the Webchat through their website for anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral
- 13YARN – Call 13 92 76 to speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter