Acknowledgement of Country
The Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care proudly acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay respect to those who have preserved and continue to care for the lands and waters on which we live, work and benefit from each day.
Introduction
In 2024, the Australian Parliament made changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013. These changes set the direction for how the NDIS will improve.
In October 2024, transitional rules were put in place for the NDIS Supports Rule (section 10). The transitional rules were informed by a consultation process in 2024, when more than 7,000 people provided their views on how the NDIS supports lists should work.
The transitional rules created three types of NDIS supports lists:
- A list for supports that are NDIS supports
- A list for supports that are not NDIS supports
- A replacement supports list
These rules now need to be updated. To support this work, we asked NDIS participants and the disability community about their experience of the NDIS supports lists since they came into effect. This report summarises what people told us.
How we engaged
Between 16 June and 27 July 2025, a total of 1,791 individuals and organisations provided feedback about the NDIS Supports Rules. They responded to a survey or made a submission.
There were 1,619 responses from individuals and 172 responses or submissions from organisations.
Before and during the consultation period, we also held workshops with disability representative organisations and disability advocates.
Who took part
People with disability made up about one-third (35%) of survey responses. Most other responses came from family members or carers of people with disability (44%, 756 responses) and providers of services, items and equipment funded by the NDIS (38%, 647 responses).
What we heard
We heard that further work is needed to make the lists more helpful for NDIS participants, their families and carers. People suggested that changes to how the rules are implemented should improve the clarity and ease of use of the lists.
Feedback highlighted several ways the lists could work better in practice. People called for more consistent information, advice and support. NDIS participants, families and carers reported that the people and organisations supporting them often interpret the lists, and what is considered "in" or "out", differently.
People also wanted clearer and more accessible guidance about how to use the lists. They stressed the importance of ensuring the lists continue to allow participants to access the specific supports, products and services that are important to their lives and help them achieve their goals.
Many people said the process for replacement supports should be simplified so participants can access the support they need in a timely way.
Some stakeholders suggested the lists should be more inclusive and better recognise cultural support needs. Examples included the needs of people in regional, rural and remote areas, people with multiple or co-occurring disabilities or intersecting factors, and people with complex support needs.
Main findings
The lists are well known but difficult to use
Awareness of the NDIS supports rules and supports lists is high. Seventy-two per cent of people knew about the NDIS supports rules and 76% knew about the supports lists.
Just over half of people with disability (56%) and just over half of families and carers (54%) had used the lists to find out what NDIS funding could and could not be spent on.
However, feedback showed that more could be done to make the lists helpful. Among people who had used the lists, only 15% said it was easy to understand what could be funded, while 68% said it was difficult.
People with disability were the least likely to find the lists helpful. Only 35% said they were helpful, while 46% said they were unhelpful.
People suggested several improvements. They wanted clearer guidance that is easier to understand, more specific information about what can be claimed, including examples of products and services included in each list, and information provided in plain English and accessible formats.
Some people also suggested the rules should allow greater flexibility so participants can access different types of supports based on what they need to live a full life.
People interpret the lists differently
People told us that the NDIS supports lists are not always understood or interpreted consistently, including what the supports and items on the lists mean.
Three in four respondents (77%) had experienced or heard about situations where people interpreted the NDIS supports rules differently.
We heard there is a need for greater clarity between the "in" and "out" lists. Some people said the lists appear to apply differently to different people.
The lists should be updated regularly
Participants said the NDIS supports lists should be updated regularly to reflect the evidence-based products and services people need now and in the future.
Many respondents agreed the lists should be both updated regularly and made more flexible. They said this would help ensure people with disability can access the supports and items they need.
More than half of respondents (58%) said there are products that should be available but are not currently on the NDIS supports list. Forty-one per cent said there are services that should be available but are not currently included.
The replacement supports process needs improvement
People said the replacement supports process needs to be improved and simplified.
They noted that when something is funded as a replacement support, it should not reduce access to other supports. For example, participants may still need funding for a support worker in order to use a product, device or household item effectively.
People identified many items that they believed should be included on the replacement supports list. They said people with disability should be able to access supports recommended by professionals and experts, including different types of therapies, and supports that help them live independently and participate fully in life.
Other key themes
A principles-based approach
Some people and organisations said prescribed lists are not consistent with the NDIS principles of choice and control. They suggested a principles-based approach would provide a better framework for deciding what NDIS funding can be used for.
Improved structure and communication
People wanted better guidance, greater clarity and stronger communication about the different categories and items in the NDIS supports lists. They felt this would improve consistency in how the lists are interpreted.
Stakeholders also suggested better training for NDIA staff and others responsible for applying the lists.
Everyday items
We heard that people want everyday items to be included on the NDIS supports lists when those items meet disability-related needs. Examples included smart devices and household tools.
Communication about decisions
People said communication about decisions on what is approved and not approved should be clearer and more transparent. This includes explaining updates to the NDIS supports lists and how NDIA staff make decisions about NDIS supports.
Co-design with people with disability
People wanted more co-design in the development and implementation of the rules, particularly with people from marginalised groups. They said this would help ensure the rules reflect lived experience.
The need for disability supports and services to work with other systems
People told us it is important that disability supports and services work effectively alongside other systems, including health, education and housing.