❌ What You Can’t Use NDIS Funding For (The No List)

The NDIS provides vital support, but it's important to know what it won’t cover. Here’s the updated “No List” — everything that cannot be funded by the NDIS.

🚫 Why These Supports Are Excluded

The NDIS can’t fund services or items that are:

• Unrelated to your disability

• Everyday living costs (e.g. rent, utilities, groceries)

• Income replacement (e.g. wages, Centrelink)

• Already funded by others (e.g. Medicare, education)

• Illegal or unsafe (e.g. drugs, sex work)

• Non-evidence-based (alternative therapies)

• Likely to cause harm

• Community or lifestyle unless disability-specific
  [Source: ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au, reconnectss.com.au]

❌ The No List — What’s Not Funded

Not FundedReason / ClarificationRent, mortgage, bills: General living costs

Groceries & general food: Food itself isn't covered

Standard household items: e.g. toaster, TV, vacuum (unless special version needed)

Clothing, makeup, haircuts: Personal items/cosmetics/lifestyle choices

Entertainment & holidays: e.g. concert tickets, flights, accommodation

Pet costs: Except for assistance animals (e.g. guide dog costs)

Medicines, GP visits, hospital stays: Health is covered by Medicare

Education fees, uniforms, booksCovered by school or university systems

Employment supports (DES, work adjustments): Funded by other programs

Income replacement: Not disability-specific

Illegal or harmful services: e.g. drugs, sex services

Non-evidence-based therapies: e.g. reiki, crystals, cuddle therapy, tarot readings

Lifestyle goods: Gym memberships, vaping, cannabis, dating apps

[Source: https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/how-ndis-supports-work-menu/reasonable-and-necessary-supports/what-cant-we-fund]

🧩 Easy Everyday Examples

• Rent & bills?
  ❌ No — NDIS doesn’t pay for rent, mortgage, electricity, or internet.

• Groceries?
  ❌ No — you pay for your food.
  ✅ Yes — you can claim support to prepare or deliver meals, but not the food itself.

• Vacuum or toaster?
  ❌ Standard versions are out.
  ✅ A robot vacuum may be funded if it replaces paying for a cleaner, due to your disability.

• Clothes or haircut?
  ❌ Not funded — personal items and grooming are your responsibility.

• Concert tickets or holiday?
  ❌ No — trips, flights, hotels, or event entry are excluded.
  ✅ You could claim support worker hours during the trip, not the trip itself.

• Medicines or doctor visit?
  ❌ Not covered — Medicare pays for these.

• Alternative therapies?
  ❌ e.g. reiki, crystals, tarot, cuddle therapy — clearly excluded

• Pets?
  ❌ General pet care is out.
  ✅ A guide dog could be funded, including training and upkeep, if needed due to your disability.

• Gym membership or life coaching?
  ❌ No — these are lifestyle choices, not disability-specific therapy.

🔄 Replacement Supports (In Limited Cases)

If an excluded item replaces an NDIS-listed support and meets all criteria, you may request it. It must be:

• Equal or lower cost

• Equivalent or better outcome

• Tied to your disability goals
  

💬 Final Takeaways

• If anyone without a disability pays for it — it’s probably not covered.

• Focus on supports directly linked to your disability goals.

• Need help? Your Support Coordinator at MySupport Co. can guide you or help you apply for replacement supports where eligible.