How to Get a Quote and Claim Wellness Devices Through NDIS: Step-by-Step

If you've already worked out that a recovery or wellness device fits your NDIS goals — and if you haven't, our guide on what NDIS can and can't cover is a good place to start — the next question is almost always the same: how do you actually turn that into an approved purchase?

The good news is that the NDIS doesn't work from a fixed list of pre-approved products. Funding decisions come down to whether a support helps with your daily function, safety, independence or participation, and whether it's reasonable and necessary for your disability-related needs. That flexibility is helpful, but it also means there's no single button to press — the process depends on how much the item costs and how your plan is managed. Here's how it breaks down.

First, work out which cost tier you're dealing with

Assistive technology under the NDIS sits in three broad tiers, and which one your device falls into changes everything else about the process:

• Low-cost AT (under $1,500): Usually funded from your Core – Consumables budget. If you have funds available, you generally don't need a quote approved in advance.
• Mid-cost AT ($1,500–$15,000): Sits under Capital – Assistive Technology. You'll typically need written evidence — most often a report from an OT, physio or other relevant allied health professional — and it's good practice to have a formal quote ready even if it isn't always mandatory.
• High-cost AT (over $15,000): Requires a full assessment, a quote (often two, if more than one supplier can provide a comparable item), and direct NDIA approval before you purchase anything.

Most of the recovery and wellness equipment people ask us about — compression systems, breathing trainers, vibration therapy devices — sits in the low-to-mid range, so the process below focuses mainly on those.

Step 1: Check your plan budget

Log into the myPlace portal or My NDIS app to see what's been allocated and where. If that's not your thing, your Local Area Coordinator, support coordinator, or plan manager can check it for you. You're looking for two things: how much funding is available, and which budget category it sits in (Core – Consumables for low-cost items, Capital – Assistive Technology for anything mid-cost or above).

Step 2: Get the right evidence

For anything above the low-cost threshold, the NDIA wants to see that the device is actually linked to your disability-related needs — not just that it would be nice to have. This usually means a short report from an OT, physiotherapist, or other relevant allied health professional explaining what the device addresses and why it's the appropriate solution. This step is worth doing properly; a vague or generic letter is one of the most common reasons funding requests stall.

Step 3: Request a formal quote

Once you know what you're after, get a written quote from your chosen supplier. You can request one directly from our team via our NDIS page — just let us know the item and that it's for an NDIS claim, and we'll put together something you can hand straight to your plan manager or upload to your portal. If your plan is NDIA-managed, double-check with your plan manager or LAC whether the item needs to come from a registered provider, since this varies depending on how your plan is set up.

Step 4: Submit your quote and evidence

Where this goes next depends on how your plan is managed:

• Self-managed: You purchase the item yourself, then submit the invoice for reimbursement through the portal or app.
• Plan-managed: Send the quote and any supporting evidence to your plan manager, who handles the claim on your behalf.
• NDIA-managed: Documents typically go through the My NDIS portal, or your support coordinator can submit them via the NDIS service hub.

Step 5: Wait for approval

Low-cost items funded from your consumables budget generally don't need a separate approval step — if the funds are there, you're good to go. Mid-cost items usually move faster once the evidence is solid, often within a couple of weeks through a plan manager. High-cost items take longer, sometimes several weeks, since they require direct NDIA sign-off.

Step 6: Purchase and claim

Once you've got the green light (or straight away for low-cost consumables purchases), finalise the order and keep the invoice. If you're plan-managed, your plan manager processes the claim against the correct budget line. If you're self-managed, you'll submit the receipt yourself for reimbursement.

Step 7: Keep your paperwork

Hold onto the invoice, the allied health report, and any approval correspondence. NDIS plans get reviewed periodically, and having a clean paper trail makes that process far less stressful if your equipment ever comes up for discussion.