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The Crucial Role of Support Coordination: Navigating Paths to Empowerment

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What Can You Use NDIS Funding For? (The Yes List)

Navigating the NDIS can feel confusing — especially when you're not sure what your funding actually covers. At MySupport Co., we’re here to simplify things.

Here’s a breakdown of the kinds of supports the NDIS can fund — known as the “Yes List.”

First, What’s the Golden Rule?

To be funded by the NDIS, a support must be considered “reasonable and necessary.” This means it:

Relates directly to your disability
Helps you achieve your goals
Improves your independence, daily life, or community participation
Is value for money
Is the responsibility of the NDIS, not another government service

Source: NDIS Guidelines – Reasonable and Necessary

The Yes List: What’s Commonly Funded

CategoryExamples of SupportsDaily Living (Core)Help with dressing, showering, toileting, meal preparation, cleaningTransportTaxi or support worker transport to appointments and community activitiesSocial & Community Access1:1 or group support for outings, hobbies, events, holidays (STA), and skill-buildingTherapies & Allied HealthOccupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Behaviour SupportSupport CoordinationHelp understanding your plan and connecting with servicesSkill Building (Capacity)Cooking classes, budgeting support, employment assistanceAssistive Technology (AT)Equipment that helps you do things more safely and independentlyHome & Yard SupportHelp with household chores if related to your disabilitySupported TravelTravel with a support worker to medical appointments, programs, or social events

Examples — What the NDIS Might Fund

Here are real-life examples of what’s often included in the Yes List:

Assistive Technology

Non-slip mats and shower chairs for safer bathing
Wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters
Communication devices (e.g. iPads with speech apps)
Adaptive utensils like easy-grip forks or angled knives
Grab rails, bed rails, or pressure cushions for safety
Smart devices to increase independence (e.g. smart lights, voice-activated assistants)
Hearing aids, alerting doorbells, and vibrating alarms

Example: A robot vacuum may be funded if it helps someone with upper-limb impairment avoid hiring a cleaner.
[Source: ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au, yott.au, reconnectss.com.au]

Example: A guide dog may be funded if it helps a participant safely travel to university, reducing barriers to study and social life.
[Source: ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au, reconnectss.com.au]

🍲 Meal Prep & Delivery

A support worker to help you shop, plan, or cook meals
Funding for meal delivery services when the cost of preparing and delivering the meal is separated from the food cost
PEG/HEN feeding supports and related nutrition equipment

NDIS won’t fund your groceries — but they may fund help to prepare or deliver meals if disability makes it hard.

Therapies & Professional Support

Psychology to support mental health, trauma recovery or behaviour
Speech Therapy for swallowing or communication
Occupational Therapy for home modifications or daily life skills
Therapy assistants to help deliver structured programs

Social & Community Participation

A support worker to attend the gym, art class, sport, or library
Group outings that build social skills
Short-Term Accommodation (STA/respite)

Household Support

Disability-related home cleaning or deep cleans (e.g. when a participant has reduced immunity)
Garden maintenance if you can’t safely manage it
Minor home modifications like rails, hand showers, or step adjustments

Final Tips

Not every item is automatically approved. Funding depends on:
- Your individual goals
- Supporting evidence
- Whether the support meets all “reasonable and necessary” rules
Some items (like mid/high-cost assistive tech) may need a formal quote or assessment.
Your Support Coordinator can help advocate for funding and get the right paperwork.

Remember:

If you’re ever unsure whether something is covered, speak to your Support Coordinator at MySupport Co. We’re here to help you get the most out of your plan — with clarity, compassion, and confidence.