Core – Consumables and Low-cost Assistive Technology

Consumables is a support category under Core and is available to assist participants with purchasing everyday use items (for example; continence and home enteral nutrition products) or low-cost assistive technology (AT) products.

There is considerable confusion what is funded, what isn’t funded, and what is considered reasonable and necessary for an individual participant. All decisions should be guided by the NDIS Act and the associated NDIS rules, which state that a funded support must represent “value for money”. This means that the costs of the support are reasonable, relative to both the benefits achieved and the cost of alternative support.

What is Low-cost Assisted Technology (AT)?

Low-cost AT are basic (Level 1) and standard (Level 2) AT products that cost less than $1500, or less than $750 for electronic devices needed to maintain existing services. Plan-managed or self-managed participants can purchase these items from any provider. Participants often have funding included in their Core Consumables budget to enable them to purchase low-cost AT.

Read more about Level 1 and Level 2 AT, including examples of each. Low-cost AT is claimed using one of the below 6 classifications:

Low Cost AT – Communication Or Cognitive Support
Low Cost AT – Hearing Related AT
Low Cost AT – Personal Care And Safety
Low Cost AT – Personal Mobility
Low Cost AT – Prosthetics And Orthotics
Low Cost AT – Vision Related AT
Low Cost AT – Support Capacity Building

What if I don’t have a Consumables budget in my NDIS Plan?

Core is flexible, which means you can transfer funds from other Core support categories into a Consumables budget. It is important to note that the NDIA will not increase plan values to accommodate the purchase of a product under this policy. For participants who only have funding in their Capacity Building budget, the ‘Low-Cost AT – Support Capacity Building’ line item can be used to purchase low-cost AT.

Participants can purchase low-cost AT using one of the above classifications if:

It is a reasonable, necessary, and disability-related product to facilitate independence, community engagement and/or skill development.
It will maintain or improve the delivery of funded NDIS supports like a program or therapy.
The provider of supports must confirm in writing that the device is necessary to continue supports and services.
It is the lowest specification that will maintain funded supports.
They do not already have the item, or access to another suitable item.
The item has not been funded by another organisation.
The item or circumstances are not specifically excluded.

Participants cannot purchase low-cost AT using one of the above classifications if:

The item does not relate to the participant’s disability.
It is an item with extra specifications above the basic model.
The participant has purchased multiple of the same devices.
It is an ordinary living cost (such as soap, internet).

Replacements for loss or damage of these items follow the AT replacement policy.

Replacement of items would generally only apply where the existing device is no longer suitable to meet the participant’s needs at that time. It does not include upgrade because a new model or version is released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Consumables funding to buy smart devices?

The NDIS may fund up to $600 for a smart device if it is required to maintain therapy via telehealth, or if it is to be used for communication purposes. To have a smart device funded from your NDIS plan, you will need to provide a letter of support from an allied health professional justifying the purchase. Smart watches, such as an Apple watch, require NDIA approval.

Can I use my Consumables funding to buy shoes?

Standard shoes purchased off the shelf are an everyday, ordinary living cost and cannot be funded through your NDIS plan unless they have been recommended by a registered podiatrist. The NDIS may fund shoes if they are custom-made and have been identified as a disability-related requirement.