NDIS Frequently Asked Questions
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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia provides support to people with disabilities, including funding for home modifications to improve accessibility and independence.
If you’re not an NDIS participant, speaking with your GP about your home modification needs is the best place to start. Your doctor can arrange a referral to a public or private occupational therapist (OT) who will be able to conduct an assessment of your needs at home.
If you are an NDIS participant, you will need a home assessment completed by a qualified OT. This assessment can be arranged directly with an OT provider via your support program without the need for a GP referral. Your OT must be suitably competent to assess your individual needs and evaluate your living space for complex and / or minor home modifications.
If you’re self-funding your home modifications, please contact ANT Renovations directly to arrange a building consultation with our home modification professionals.
Home modifications refer to changes made to a person's home to improve accessibility and support their needs due to disability. Tailored to the individual’s needs, these modifications can include structural changes such as installing ramps, chair lifts, handrails, modifying bathrooms and kitchens for accessibility, or making other adjustments to improve mobility and safety within the home.
The specific modifications funded depend on the participant's disability and requirements as recommended by the OT and documented in their Scope of Works for a registered NDIS builder to come and quote.
Individuals who are participants of the NDIS and have funding in their plan for home modifications are eligible. Eligibility is typically determined based on the impact of the person's disability on their ability to perform daily activities and the necessity of modifications to support their independence and quality of life as determined by an OT and an application needs to be submitted to NDIS
To apply for home modifications through the NDIS, you need to be a participant in the scheme. You can discuss your need for modifications with your NDIS planner or support coordinator, who will assess your requirements and work with you to arrange an OT come and assess you needs.
The amount of funding available for home modifications under the NDIS varies depending on the individual's needs and circumstances. The funding is determined through the planning process, where the participant's goals and support needs are assessed, and funding is applied for after two Builders quotes are submitted with an application from the OT to NDIS. From there funding allocations are approved accordingly.
Home modifications funded by the NDIS are carried out by registered and accredited NDIS providers or contractors. These providers have experience in disability modifications and ensure that the modifications meet the relevant Australian Standards and regulations.
Participants in the NDIS have choice and control over the providers they engage for their supports, but not home modifications. Your OT will engage two builders to quote and then submit an application and recommendation to NDIS. Prior to the recommendation being sent the participant could request one builder over the other if the quotes are of similar value.
In some cases, the NDIS may provide funding for ongoing maintenance and repairs of home modifications, particularly if they are essential for the participant's ongoing support and independence. This can be discussed with your OT during the planning process and included in your NDIS plan if necessary.
The NDIS rules that home modifications they fund need to be ‘reasonable and necessary’. Therefore, upgrades or replacements to any working (reusable) appliances, hot water systems, fittings and fixtures that lack clinical justification to support greater functional or independent use will not be funded as part of your NDIS home modification. This includes additional plumbing or electrical works beyond the reasonable and necessary modifications.
You can find more information about NDIS home modifications on the official NDIS website (www.ndis.gov.au) or by contacting the NDIS directly. Additionally, you can seek guidance from your OT, NDIS planner, support coordinator, or disability service providers who can assist you with the process.
