PWDA Submission to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee

PWDA welcomed the opportunity to provide input to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee’s (EAC) assessment of Smart home appliances (for cooking, cleaning and gardening). Active passive trainers Assistance animals for autistic people or people with intellectual disability Psychiatric assistance dogs Seizure alert dogs and Exercise physiology
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Submission to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee Consultation

October 2025

PWDA welcomed the opportunity to provide input to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee’s (EAC) assessment of:

  • Smart home appliances (for cooking, cleaning and gardening).
  • Active passive trainers
  • Assistance animals for autistic people or people with intellectual disability
  • Psychiatric assistance dogs
  • Seizure alert dogs
  • Exercise physiology

PWDA’s submission will address NDIS funding for assistance animals for Autistic people and people with intellectual disability, psychiatric assistance dogs, seizure alert dogs, and smart-home appliances, as beneficial, cost-effective, rights-affirming, and aligned with core NDIS objectives of safety, choice, independence, quality of life, and functional capacity enhancement.

Although this submission does not explore these areas, we acknowledge the important role of active passive trainers and exercise physiology. We also recognise that other peak bodies and organisations, with their specialised expertise and evidence base, are better positioned to contribute meaningfully to the consultation process as subject matter experts on these supports.

While we acknowledge the importance of evidence to inform the EAC’s assessment of supports, we are concerned about the lack of published research into the benefits of the above-mentioned supports incorporating the lived experience of people with disability, and the risks if the EAC were to rely heavily on published evidence.

PWDA believes the lived experience of people with disability must inform all decision-making on matters that affect people with disability. We urge the EAC to consider lived experience expertise when deciding what constitutes ‘evidence’ of effectiveness, safety and quality.

PWDA supports introducing and broadening funding of assistance animals for Autistic people or people with intellectual disability, psychiatric assistance dogs, seizure alert dogs and smart home appliances for cooking, cleaning and gardening.

Access to assistance animals and smart home technologies is a fundamental human right for people with disability, enabling autonomy, safety, and dignity in daily life. The NDIS must recognise that these supports are not luxuries but essential tools that uphold the right to live independently and participate fully in the community. Broadening eligibility, access and funding for these supports ensures equity and inclusion for people with disability.

Read the full SUBMISSION (accessible.PDF)
Read the full SUBMISSION (DOCX)

Recommendations

Recommendation 1. The EAC should recommend funding of Assistance animals for Autistic people or people with intellectual disability by:

  1. Explicitly recognising assistance dogs for autism and intellectual disability under NDIS guidelines as reasonable and necessary supports.
  2. Expanding funding eligibility to include all functional roles of assistance dogs proven to benefit individuals, ensuring public access and inclusion.
  3. Promoting the implementation of standardised accreditation and Public Asset Tests (PAT) compliance in line with the national framework endorsed by PWDA and stakeholders.

Recommendation 2. The EAC should recommend funding of psychiatric assistance dogs for a broader spectrum of mental health disorders by:

  1. Acknowledging psychiatric assistance dogs as eligible supports under “reasonable and necessary” criteria.
  2. Broaden the definition of “assistance animal” to explicitly include PADs trained for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, and schizophrenia — aligning with Disability Discrimination Act definitions.
  3. Amending Operational Guidelines to fund training, registration, and ongoing needs for psychiatric assistance dogs.
  4. Adopting National Training Standards through a unified public access and accreditation framework, as per PWDA and the Australian Autism Alliance’s joint statement.
  5. Monitoring outcomes: collect data on mental health improvements, social participation, and cost savings — to refine policy.

Recommendation 3. PWDA urges the EAC to act and make this support more accessible to those who need it by:

  1. Amending NDIS Assistance Animals Guideline to include seizure alert dogs as a funded category.
  2. Recognising seizure alert and response dogs as legitimate supports under the NDIS.
  3. Clarifying the funding pathway so people know what evidence is needed and how to apply.
  4. Streamlining the process, reducing delays and uncertainty.
  5. Supporting training and upkeep costs, so people aren’t left out due to financial barriers.

Recommendation 4. Make smart home appliances genuinely accessible under the NDIS by:

  1. Explicitly listing smart-home devices (e.g., voice-activated kettles, smart vacuums) under Assistive Technology guidelines.
  2. Clarifying eligibility criteria and funding pathways, so planners, NDIA staff, and participants know what’s covered and why.
  3. Streamlining approvals, especially for items under $1,500, with quick approvals based on standard evidence of disability-related need.
  4. Supporting tech training for participants, plus funding for installation and programming of devices.

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