Overview of changes: 

• The NDIA has announced some important rule changes as part of their recent legislative update which came into effect Thursday 3 October 2024.
• These changes may impact your existing plan and what you can spend your NDIS funding on, so it’s important that you understand them.
• Some changes have commenced now and some will take time to roll out, but here is what we know now.

New definition of NDIS supports

The NDIA has created new lists that outline what can and cannot be funded by the NDIS. From 3 October 2024, you can only spend your NDIS funding on things that are defined as ‘NDIS supports’.

Examples of supports that will be funded under NDIS plan?

• Assistance to access and maintain employment or higher education
• Assistive products for household tasks
• Development of daily care and life skills
• Specialist positive behaviour support
• Therapeutic supports

Examples of supports that will not be funded under NDIS plan?

• Cruises, holiday packages, holiday accommodation, and airfares, including interstate and overseas travel, and passports, visas, activities and meals included in travel.
• Massage that is not provided by an allied health professional for disability related purposes.
• Fast food services, takeaway food and food delivery platforms.
• General health, fitness, social or recreational activity costs or services.
• Alternate & complementary therapies such as crystal therapy, yoga therapy, animal therapy and alternative or complementary medicine.

Please note, this is not the full list, for the full lists of what can and cannot be funded please follow the link below.?

Click HERE for the full NDIA support lists are available here

What happens next?

We will be required by the NDIA to reject claims for supports that the NDIA have classified as no longer eligible or are not included in your plan. We will communicate with you if this is the case. We may request a copy of your plan if this has not previously been provided.

Can I still claim for items on the ‘Supports that are not NDIS supports’ list if the support was provided before October 3?

Yes, provided the service date on the invoice is prior to 03/10/24 and the service would have previously been funded by the NDIS before, or if it is clearly stated as a funded item within your NDIS plan.

What you need to do now?

If you are currently not using any of the supports in the ‘Supports that are not ‘NDIS supports’ list, there is nothing you need to do.

If you are currently using any of the supports in the ‘Supports that are not ‘NDIS supports’ list, here’s some suggestions for next steps:

• If you have any claims dated prior to 3 October 2024, send them to us as usual
• We encourage you to read the full NDIA support lists which are available here.
• Check your current supports to see if you can continue to claim this service or support. You can check to see if these items have been specifically listed in your plan as well.
• We also encourage you to reach out to your providers if you think their services are no longer covered.
• Reach out to your Support Coordinator to discuss your options.
• Your “My NDIS contact” is also a great starting point to help you navigate these changes. They will also be able to help you if there are items that are no longer eligible as ‘NDIS Supports’ that you believe need to be included in your plan. This is referred to as ‘Replacement Supports’. Details can be found in your plan.
• Call NDIS on 1800 800 110 or email enquiries@ndis.gov.au

We’re here for you

We understand that changes like this can be confusing. We appreciate your understanding while we navigate this change with you. Please find below further resources.

• Read the NDIA’s summary of the changes here
• Read the NDIA’s FAQs here
• General info on Changes to NDIS Legislation
• Easy read version from NDIS

Remember, you can email us if you are still unsure whether a service is funded and we will always do our best to assist you. At the end of the day, we are all in this together to make the best use of your NDIS plan.

02 4760 4642