Assistive Technology for Complex & High-Intensity Needs on the NDIS: A Participant & Family Guide
Assistive technology for complex needs on the NDIS: hoists, beds, pressure and respiratory equipment as high-cost AT, plus the assessment and quote steps.
When your needs are complex, the right equipment can be the difference between being safe and comfortable at home and struggling every day. Hoists, specialised beds, pressure care and respiratory equipment are all assistive technology the NDIS can fund — but because they're higher-cost and carry real safety considerations, they follow a more thorough process. This guide explains what complex…
What "complex" assistive technology means
Where complex AT sits in your plan
The complex AT you might need
The AT assessment and quote process
Trials, training and fitting it into your supports
Repairs, maintenance and replacement
Where AT ends and the health system begins
Finding help and where this sits
Frequently asked questions
What counts as "complex" assistive technology on the NDIS?
Complex, or high-cost, assistive technology is higher-cost, higher-risk equipment that must be individually assessed and set up for you — think ceiling or mobile hoists, pressure-care mattresses, specialised beds, and respiratory equipment. Because it carries real safety considerations, it follows a…
Which part of my NDIS plan pays for complex AT?
Complex assistive technology is funded from your Capital budget, which is quote-based and can't be spent on anything else. An AT assessment by a suitably qualified allied health professional, plus supplier quotes, supports the request. The NDIA then approves the specific item rather than giving you…
Do I need an assessment before the NDIS will fund a hoist or specialised bed?
Yes. Higher-cost, higher-risk AT needs an assessment by a suitably qualified professional — usually an occupational therapist or physiotherapist — who recommends the right equipment for your body, home and needs. Their report and the supplier quote are the evidence the NDIA uses to decide, so it's…
Who pays to repair or replace complex equipment when it wears out?
The NDIS can fund repairs, servicing and eventual replacement of AT it has funded, because these keep the equipment safe to use. Build regular servicing into your plan, and start reassessment early before a replacement is due, as it may need a fresh assessment and quotes. Report faults promptly —…
Will the NDIS pay for equipment I need because of a health condition?
The NDIS funds AT when the need is related to your disability and part of everyday life. Equipment for acute or episodic medical treatment usually belongs to the health system. If the line is blurry, an assessment that explains how the equipment relates to your disability helps show it's the NDIS's…
Related guides
- How the NDIS Funds Complex AT: Hoists, Beds, Pressure & Respiratory Equipment
- Complex & High-Intensity Support for Children on the NDIS: A Family Guide
- Complex & High-Intensity Personal Care on the NDIS: A Participant & Family Guide
- How the NDIS Funds High-Intensity Support for a Child
- Finding Workers Trained in Safe Transfers & Hoist Use
- Complex Manual Handling & Transfers on the NDIS: A Participant & Family Guide