What Are Reasonable and Necessary Supports?
Reasonable and necessary NDIS supports must pass six tests in the NDIS Act. Learn what each means, what's excluded, and what to do if a support is refused.
What "reasonable and necessary" actually means
The six tests every support must pass (the reasonable and necessary NDIS criteria)
"Value for money" — what it does and doesn't mean
What families, carers and the community are expected to provide
"Most appropriately funded by the NDIS" — not health, education or housing
What the NDIS will not fund
A real-life scenario: putting the tests together
How to make the case for a support
What's changing: clearer guidance from 2027
If a support is knocked back
Where to get help and what to do next
Frequently asked questions
Is "reasonable and necessary" the same as "whatever I need"?
Not quite. It means a support that is genuinely linked to your disability and your goals, is good value, is likely to work, and is the NDIS's responsibility to fund rather than another system like health or education. A support has to pass all six tests in Section 34 of the NDIS Act, not just feel necessary to you. Connecting each request to a goal and to evidence is what makes it reasonable and necessary in the NDIS's eyes.
Why did the NDIS say my family should provide a support instead of funding it?
One of the six tests asks what it is reasonable to expect families, carers and the community to provide. It is not a fixed rule — it depends on your age, situation, and the caring load your network already carries. If you think the expectation is unfair or unsustainable, you can explain plainly what your family already does and what they cannot keep doing, and ask for a review with that evidence.
Will the 2026-2027 reforms change what counts as reasonable and necessary?
The six core tests remain the foundation. The Government has said clearer guidance on applying them is expected from around 1 February 2027, and a new planning and assessment framework rolls out progressively from 1 April 2027. Critical daily-living and personal-care supports are not part of the separate participation budget reset. Dates have already shifted once, so confirm the current position with the NDIA before making decisions.
What can I do if the NDIS refuses to fund a support I need?
Ask for the written reasons, then request an internal review with the NDIA within the time limit. Strengthening your evidence — such as a clearer report from your occupational therapist or GP — often helps. If that does not resolve it, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal. A free, independent disability advocate can help you through the whole process, and extra appeals-advocacy funding is available in 2026-27.
Who decides whether a support is reasonable and necessary?
The NDIA makes the decision, usually through a planner or delegate, based on the six tests and the evidence you provide. That is why the reports from your treating professionals matter so much — they help show the disability link, the likely benefit and the value for money. A support coordinator or LAC can help you prepare, but the formal decision sits with the NDIA.