Assistive Technology (AT)

Equipment or devices that help you do everyday things more easily or safely.

What it means

Assistive Technology (AT) is equipment, devices or systems that help you do everyday things more easily or more safely. AT covers a very wide range, from low-cost items like a shower chair, non-slip mat or reaching aid, through to higher-cost items like a powered wheelchair, a hoist or a communication device.

The goal of AT is practical: to reduce the barriers your disability creates so you can take part in daily life, stay safe and rely less on other people where possible. Because AT ranges from simple to complex and inexpensive to costly, the NDIS treats different items differently. A general rule is that the evidence needed rises with the cost and the risk of the item, so a low-cost everyday aid needs far less justification than a complex, expensive device.

In practice

For low-cost, low-risk items, the process is usually simple and you may be able to buy them without a detailed assessment. As items become more expensive or more complex, the NDIA expects more evidence that the item is the right fit for you, that it will help you meet your goals, and that it represents reasonable and necessary support.

Higher-cost AT often involves an assessment from an allied health professional, such as an occupational therapist, who recommends the specific equipment and explains why it suits your needs. Trials of equipment, quotes and consideration of alternatives may be part of this. Some AT also needs repairs, maintenance or replacement over time, which can be planned for so your equipment keeps working safely.

A real example

For example, Mia found it hard and unsafe to shower standing up, so she started using a simple shower chair, a low-cost item she could arrange easily. Later, as her mobility changed, her occupational therapist assessed her needs and recommended a powered wheelchair. Because this was a higher-cost item, the therapist provided a report explaining why that specific chair suited Mia and how it would help her get around independently.

Assistive Technology (AT) — FAQs

What counts as assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any equipment, device or system that helps you do everyday tasks more easily or safely because of your disability. It ranges from low-cost items like a shower chair, grab rail or reaching aid to higher-cost items like a powered wheelchair, hoist or communication device. If a piece of equipment reduces a barrier your disability creates and helps you take part in daily life, it may be considered AT.
Why do expensive AT items need more evidence?
The evidence needed rises with the cost and risk of an item. Low-cost, low-risk aids are simple to arrange, but higher-cost or more complex equipment carries greater risk if it is the wrong fit and involves more funding. So the NDIA asks for stronger justification, usually from an allied health professional, showing the item is right for you, will help meet your goals and is reasonable and necessary.
Do I need an occupational therapist to get AT?
Not always. Low-cost, everyday items can often be arranged without a detailed assessment. However, for higher-cost or more complex AT, an assessment from an allied health professional such as an occupational therapist is usually expected. They recommend the specific equipment and explain why it suits your needs, which helps the NDIA decide whether the item is reasonable and necessary support.
Can I try equipment before it is funded?
Often yes. Trialling equipment is a common part of choosing higher-cost AT, because it helps confirm that a specific device actually suits you before a larger purchase is made. Your occupational therapist or an equipment supplier can help arrange trials. Trying options can also strengthen the evidence in your request by showing which item works best for your everyday needs and goals.
What happens if my AT breaks or wears out?
AT can need repairs, maintenance or replacement over time, and this can be planned for so your equipment keeps working safely. If a device breaks down, contact your provider or supplier about repairs. When equipment reaches the end of its life or no longer meets your needs, updated evidence can support funding for a replacement. Keeping your equipment maintained helps it last and stay safe to use.

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