The right tool, matched to the right person and context — assessment, trials, prescription, training, and NDIS funding pathway support.
Assistive technology (AT) is any device, piece of equipment, or system — low-tech or high-tech — that helps a person with disability perform tasks they would otherwise find difficult or impossible. A grab rail is AT. So is a communication app on an iPad. So is a customised power wheelchair. The common thread is that AT removes a barrier between a person and a meaningful activity.
Under the NDIS, AT is funded through Capital Supports — a separate budget from therapy and daily support funding. The key principle is that AT must be reasonable and necessary for a participant's disability-related needs. To access most AT above a basic cost threshold, a formal AT assessment from a qualified assessor is required. That report is the gateway to funding.
At Safe Hands, we support the full AT journey — from identifying that AT might help, through assessment, trial, prescription, and NDIS submission, to setup, training, and ongoing review as needs change. We work in close coordination with our OT and Speech Pathology teams, who are the primary qualified assessors for most AT categories.
We coordinate AT assessment, trial, and prescription through registered occupational therapists and speech pathologists — and manage the NDIS reporting process end to end.
The NDIS uses a tiered system for AT funding based on cost and complexity. Understanding these tiers is essential to navigating the AT process:
| Tier | Cost Range | Funding Source | Assessment Required | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Cost | Under $1,500 | Core Supports or CB Daily Activity | None — can be purchased directly from plan funds | Non-slip mats, shower chairs, basic communication boards, dycem mats, adapted cutlery |
| Mid Cost | $1,500 – $15,000 | Capital Supports — AT | Written AT assessment report from a qualified assessor (OT or Speech Pathologist) | Rollators, manual wheelchairs, bath hoists, iPad with communication app, writing aids |
| High Cost | $15,000 – $30,000+ | Capital Supports — AT (requires plan review approval) | Comprehensive assessment, trial period, formal AT report, NDIS submission | Power wheelchairs, ceiling hoists, customised seating systems, dedicated AAC devices |
| Very High / Custom | $30,000+ | Capital Supports — AT (specialist assessment) | Multi-disciplinary assessment, extended trial, independent AT advisor may be required | Custom-built power wheelchairs, complex AAC with eye-gaze, vehicle modifications |
Cost thresholds are indicative and subject to change by the NDIS. For current thresholds, refer to the NDIS AT Operational Guidance or contact your support coordinator.
AT spans an enormous range of tools. Below are the main categories we work with, with examples in each:
AAC is a priority AT category for many NDIS participants — and one of the most complex to navigate. Getting the right AAC system matched to the right person requires specialist assessment from a speech pathologist experienced in AAC, followed by a funded trial before prescription. Our Speech & Language team leads all AAC assessments.
AAC is never a last resort — research consistently shows that AAC supports rather than hinders speech development. It is appropriate at any age when natural speech is insufficient for reliable communication across environments.
Paper-based symbols, PECS books, alphabet boards. No batteries, always available, inexpensive. Used alongside high-tech systems as backup.
Pre-recorded messages on buttons or small devices. Good for early communicators or as supplementary tools for specific contexts.
iPad with apps like Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, or Snap Core First. Flexible, portable, widely supported. Access via direct touch, switch, or head pointer.
Dedicated speech-generating devices from Tobii Dynavox, PRC Saltillo, or similar. More robust, purpose-built, and often required for school and workplace contexts.
For participants with very limited motor control — controls AAC and computer via eye movement tracking. Requires specialist assessment and extended trial.
External switches (big red button, sip-and-puff, head switch) that replace direct touch access. Matched to the user's most reliable voluntary movement.
Getting AT funded through the NDIS follows a structured process. Here is how it works with Safe Hands:
You contact us (or your support coordinator refers you) describing the functional challenge AT might address. We determine the appropriate AT category, confirm NDIS plan funding, and identify which type of assessor is needed — OT, speech pathologist, or another specialist.
A qualified assessor meets with you in your usual environment — home, school, or workplace. They observe the tasks you want to do, assess your physical, cognitive, and sensory capabilities, and identify what AT features and specifications would best match your needs. For complex AT, multiple assessment sessions may be required.
Before prescription and NDIS submission, suitable AT options are trialled. You use the equipment in your real environment — not just a clinic — for long enough to assess whether it genuinely works for you. Trials are particularly important for AAC, power wheelchairs, and seating systems. Adjustments are made based on trial findings.
Your assessor writes the formal AT report documenting: the functional need, the options considered, why the recommended item was selected over alternatives, trial outcomes, and the specific product recommended (make, model, specifications). This report is submitted to the NDIS with a quote from the supplier.
The report and supplier quote are submitted to the NDIS. For low-to-mid cost items, approval may happen through a plan manager or support coordinator. High-cost items require formal NDIS plan review. Approval timelines vary — your support coordinator manages follow-up.
Once funded and delivered, your assessor (or an AT specialist) provides hands-on training for you, your support workers, and family. Training covers how to use, adjust, troubleshoot, and maintain the equipment. Without training, even excellent AT is often abandoned within months — we treat this step as non-negotiable.
AT needs change as you change. Your assessor schedules follow-up to check the equipment is still appropriate and being used effectively. If circumstances change — a new home, a change in function, a better technology now available — the AT plan is updated and a revised report submitted if re-funding is needed.
Your assessor asks about specific tasks that are difficult, the environments where AT needs to function, and who else uses or supports the equipment.
You demonstrate the task in your natural environment — your assessor observes directly rather than relying solely on your self-report. What you can do matters as much as what you cannot.
Your assessor introduces options in the relevant category, explaining the trade-offs — cost, portability, learning curve, maintenance, and NDIS funding pathway for each.
Where possible, you try equipment during the session — adjusted and configured on the spot. This informs whether a take-home trial is needed or whether the assessment can proceed to report.
For custom or fitted items (wheelchairs, seating), physical measurements are taken. Specifications are documented precisely so the NDIS quote matches the assessed need exactly.
Your assessor outlines the timeline: report writing, trial if needed, NDIS submission, and expected approval timeframe. You leave the session knowing exactly what happens next.
Different types of AT require different clinical expertise. The NDIS specifies qualified assessors for each category:
OTs are the primary prescribers for mobility aids, seating, self-care equipment, home modification AT, electronic aids for daily living, cognition aids, and most environmental control technology. An OT AT report is the most commonly required document for NDIS Capital Supports submissions.
Speech pathologists are the required assessors for all AAC — communication boards, speech-generating devices, eye-gaze systems, and access methods. An AAC device funded by the NDIS must have a speech pathology AT assessment report. They also assess for reading and writing technology.
Physiotherapists may assess and co-prescribe mobility aids and seating systems, particularly where posture, tone, or movement patterns are a primary consideration. Often works alongside an OT for complex wheelchair seating assessments.
For very high-cost or unusually complex AT, the NDIS may require an independent AT specialist — a professional with dedicated AT expertise beyond standard allied health training. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission maintains a register of qualified AT advisors.
AT draws from two main NDIS budget categories, with the assessment and the equipment funded differently:
Covers the purchase of approved AT equipment — from wheelchairs and hoists to AAC devices and home automation. This budget is ring-fenced; it cannot be used for anything other than approved AT and related consumables. Items above $1,500 require an assessor report before purchase.
Covers the AT assessment itself — the OT or speech pathology sessions involved in assessing, trialling, prescribing, and reporting. Also covers AT training (teaching you and your team how to use the equipment) and any follow-up reviews. The assessment is a therapeutic service, not a capital purchase.
Funded separately under Capital Supports. Covers servicing, repairs, batteries, consumables, and replacement of worn AT components. Must be documented in the NDIS plan. Often overlooked at plan stage and needs to be specifically requested.
Your support coordinator plays a key role in the AT process — identifying providers, obtaining quotes, submitting reports, managing NDIS approval communication, and coordinating delivery. If AT is a priority in your plan, ensure adequate support coordination funding to manage the process.
Anyone who cannot reliably communicate through speech alone — children, adults, or those with acquired communication disorders — is a candidate for AAC assessment.
Participants who use or could benefit from wheeled mobility, hoisting, transfer aids, or modified vehicle access.
Where a participant's home creates safety risks or independence limitations — from grab rails to smart home controls to ceiling hoist systems.
Anyone whose disability limits standard keyboard or mouse use, or who needs screen access technology to participate in education or employment.
Participants or families seeking additional safety monitoring or independence-enabling tools without increasing staffed support hours.
Participants with cognitive, vision, or hearing differences who benefit from adapted interfaces, visual schedule tools, or alerting technology.
Call, email, or ask your support coordinator to make a referral. Tell us what you are trying to do — not what AT you think you need.
We review your NDIS plan, confirm AT funding availability, identify the appropriate assessor type, and schedule the initial assessment.
An OT, speech pathologist, or specialist assessor visits you in your environment to assess and begin trialling suitable options.
Equipment is trialled in your real environment. The assessor writes the NDIS-required report with specifications and justification.
Report and supplier quote submitted to the NDIS. We manage follow-up and communicate approval status with your support coordinator.
Equipment delivered, set up, and demonstrated. Training provided for you and your support team to ensure the AT is actually used.
For the AT assessment itself, funding comes from Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living, which most plans include. For purchasing the actual equipment (anything over $1,500), your plan needs Capital Supports — AT funding. If your current plan does not include this category, you will need a plan review to add it. An AT assessment report from a qualified assessor is the primary evidence used at a plan review to justify AT funding being included. So the process is: assess first, then use the report to request AT capital funding if it is not already in your plan.
The NDIS does not publish a rigid approved product list, but it does require that funded AT be the most appropriate and cost-effective option for your specific needs. Your assessor will compare options and justify why they are recommending one product over alternatives. The NDIS can and does reject requests where a less expensive item would reasonably meet the same need. The assessor's report must demonstrate that the recommended item is the right fit — not just the participant's preferred brand or the most expensive option available.
It varies significantly by AT type and complexity. For straightforward low-to-mid cost items (shower chair, basic mobility aid), the assessment, report, and approval can be completed in 4–8 weeks. For complex, high-cost AT (power wheelchair, AAC device), the process including trial, report, NDIS submission, and approval can take 3–6 months or more. Power wheelchairs in particular often require multiple assessment sessions, an extended trial, and seating clinic involvement. Building in this lead time when planning a home move or discharge from hospital is essential.
If properly trialled and assessed, the right AT should work. But if circumstances change — a new home, a change in function, the technology does not perform as expected in practice — your assessor can review the situation and write an updated report recommending a change. The NDIS generally does not fund a replacement for the same AT category within a plan period unless there is a documented clinical reason. This is why the trial phase before prescription is so important — it is far harder to change an AT decision after the NDIS has funded it than before.
Yes — and this training is fundable from your NDIS plan (CB Daily Activity or, for behaviour-related AT, CB Improved Relationships). AT training for support workers is not just about how to operate equipment — it covers safe handling, how to troubleshoot common problems, how to notice when AT is not being used correctly, and how to encourage consistent use. Poorly trained support workers are one of the leading reasons AT is abandoned. We provide structured training sessions for support teams as standard practice after any significant AT prescription.
As early as possible. There is no minimum age for AAC assessment, and no communication or cognitive threshold that must be reached first. If a child is not reliably communicating their needs through natural speech by age 2–3, an AAC assessment from a qualified speech pathologist should be considered. Early AAC access consistently produces better long-term communication outcomes than waiting for speech to develop. AAC does not delay speech development — research shows the opposite. The NDIS funds AAC for children with a clear need identified through a speech pathology report.
For low-cost AT under $1,500, yes — you can use Core Supports funding to purchase basic items without a formal assessment report. For anything above $1,500, the NDIS requires a Capital Supports — AT budget and a formal assessor report. If you have only Core Supports in your plan and need higher-cost AT, this needs to be raised at your plan review with supporting evidence. A support coordinator can help you navigate this at plan review time. Note that plan managers can assist with understanding which budget an AT purchase should draw from.
AT maintenance, repair, and replacement is funded as a separate item in the Capital Supports budget. It covers: scheduled servicing (e.g., annual wheelchair service), repairs resulting from normal wear and use, replacement of consumables (batteries, cushion covers, charging cables), and eventual replacement of the item at end of life. Many participants do not request this funding at plan stage and then cannot service or repair equipment during the plan period. When requesting AT at a plan review, always include an estimate of annual maintenance costs and ask for this to be separately budgeted.
Whether you are exploring AT for the first time or need help navigating a complex AT submission, our team is ready to help you move forward.