What Supports Can You Buy with Your NDIS Funding?

Your NDIS plan is your roadmap to achieving your personal goals and living more independently. But when it comes to spending your funding, you must follow clear rules to make sure it’s used on the right supports.

In this guide, we explain exactly what you can—and can’t—buy with your NDIS funding, so you can get the most from your plan and avoid costly mistakes.

What Are NDIS Supports?

NDIS supports are products, services, or equipment that the National Disability Insurance Scheme funds to help you:

• Pursue your goals

• Increase independence

• Improve community participation

• Maintain health and wellbeing

These supports must meet the reasonable and necessary criteria set out in the NDIS Act and the NDIS Guidelines.

Rules for Buying Supports with Your NDIS Funding

When you spend your funding, your chosen support must meet all of the following criteria:

• It’s an NDIS support

• It’s not declared to be “not an NDIS support”

• It does not include sexual services, alcohol, or illegal drugs

• It is directly related to your disability

• It is in line with your NDIS plan

You can also purchase an approved replacement support—but only if it relates to your disability and has been agreed upon with the NDIS.

Spending in Line with Your Plan

Your plan will explain:

• Which supports you can buy

• Any stated supports (specific items or services you must use your funding for)

• How much funding is allocated for each category or period

To stay on track:

• Spend only on listed supports

• Make sure your budget lasts the entire plan period

• If funding is split into periods, ensure it lasts for each one

Learn more about reasonable and necessary supports.

What You Can’t Buy with Your NDIS Funding

The NDIS will not fund:

• Services or items unrelated to your disability

• Supports provided by other government systems (e.g., Medicare-covered GP visits)

• Sexual services or sex work

• Alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs

If you spend your NDIS funds on something that isn’t approved, you may be required to repay the money.

For details, see: Would we fund it?

Pro Tip: Keep Records

Whether you’re self-managed, plan-managed, or Agency-managed, it’s smart to:

• Keep invoices and receipts for all purchases (NDIS requires you to do this for minimum 5 years)

• Regularly review your spending against your budget

• Check with your NDIS planner, Plan Manager or support coordinator before making big purchases

This will help you stay compliant and ensure you get the maximum value from your funding.

🔗 Helpful links & Resources:

• 🔗 NDIS Home

• 🔗 NDIS Guidelines

• 🔗 Reasonable and Necessary Supports

• 🔗 What We Can and Can’t Fund

Final Word

Understanding what you can buy with your NDIS funding is essential to making the most of your plan. When in doubt, check your plan, ask your NDIS contact, or refer to the NDIS guidelines. By spending wisely, you’ll ensure your funding supports your goals, independence, and quality of life.

If you are unsure with your plan or would like some assistance give our friendly team at Complete Money Management a call on 1300 161 489