Can the NDIS fund a shower chair or commode?
Yes, where it's reasonable and necessary. Shower chairs and commodes are funded as assistive technology, usually with an OT assessment. Here's how.
Yes. Shower chairs, commodes and other personal-care equipment are funded as assistive technology when they're reasonable and necessary for your disability. An occupational therapist assessment usually confirms the right type for your bathroom and needs, and simpler items may only need a brief recommendation.
The short answer
How the NDIS decides
What's covered and what isn't
How to ask and what evidence helps
The realistic wrap-up
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an OT assessment for a shower chair?
For a simple shower stool, sometimes a short therapist recommendation is enough as it's low-cost AT. For a shower commode or a chair with special features, the NDIS expects an OT assessment and often a quote, so the item is safe and suited to your bathroom.
What's the difference between a shower chair and a commode?
A shower chair provides safe seating while you shower. A commode is used for toileting and can be placed over a toilet or used as a standalone chair; a shower commode combines both. An OT can recommend which suits your needs and bathroom layout.
Are grab rails and bathroom changes covered too?
Grab rails and changes to the bathroom itself usually fall under home modifications rather than assistive technology, which is a separate pathway with its own assessment. Portable equipment like shower chairs and commodes is funded as AT. Your OT can advise which pathway applies.