Agile Support Services

26/06/2025

25/06/2025

So what can you expect from new ndis plans coming out….
Potentially up to a 5 year plan.
If you state that things are stable, you will most likely get a 5 year plan. For some this is going to absolutely suit as there is no stress for reports, plan reviews, meetings, check ins etc. for others it’ll be a concern as their needs are changing.
Make sure you ask for what you want!

Funding divided into quarters. I’ve seen funding evenly worked out over 4 periods per year and I’ve seen funding with the first quarter being 10% more in the first quarter. Ask for what you need. If you have excess funding after a quarter, it will roll over.

Some plan managers are redesigning their platforms to only state the quarter funding, so don’t freak out if you see your funding at a quarter of what it should be,

Increasingly when plan reassessments are being put in, planners aren’t bothering to make contact before making a decision. It’s important when asking for a plan reassessment to have everything in place in terms of your request and evidence.

Hope that helps

Paul.

22/06/2025

I just wanted to share this post I put in NDIS in the NEW England, because I think it's super important for everyone to understand their obligations as providers and also it took me a little bit of time.
"Just to expand on this—because we’re getting a few responses suggesting that unregistered providers “don’t need anything,” which is concerning because I do not think it's the case, personally.
This response is for all providers, participants, and family members.
There seems to be a misconception among some unregistered providers that they don’t need any policies, procedures, or accountability frameworks. But every time a service is delivered without these in place, those providers are walking a very fine line.
All providers delivering NDIS supports—whether registered or not—are NDIS providers. That distinction is made clearly in the NDIS Code of Conduct guidance.
Please review not just the 1-page Code of Conduct, but the full 43-page

https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/Code-of-Conduct-Provider-Guidance.pdf

It sets out expectations and standards that go far beyond surface-level compliance.
One simple question to consider:
In the event of an incident whether with the NDIS Commission, NSW Ombudsman, ACCC, or police—do you think having no policies and procedures will be accepted as evidence you acted appropriately? Do you think your word will be enough, especially if it's being questioned?
Here are just some of the key areas outlined in the NDIS Code of Conduct that all providers should have covered:
1. Record-keeping of incidents, complaints, allegations, and feedback (Pages 19–20)
2. Professional liability insurance to protect participants and providers (Page 21)
3. Transparent service costs disclosed to participants up front (Page 22)
4. Conflict of interest policies and guidance around gifts (Page 23)
5. Recruitment policies, including probity checks (Page 23)
6. Avoidance of sharp practices and misleading conduct (Page 24)
7. Compliance with Australian Consumer Law and ACCC obligations (Page 25)
8. Acting with honesty, integrity, and transparency (Page 26)
9. Procedural fairness in handling complaints or incidents (Page 28)
10. Supporting participants to understand and exercise their rights (Page 29)
11. A complaints management system is required (Page 29)
12. While only mandatory for registered providers, incident management systems are still a best-practice safeguard (Page 30)
13. Clear procedures for investigating Code breaches (Page 30)
14. Policies to prevent violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation (Page 31)
15. Understanding and compliance with Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support Rules, if applicable (Page 33)
16. Guidance and reporting processes for sexual misconduct and staff behaviour (Pages 34–36)
17. Accessible communication policies, including the use of assistive tech (Page 11)
18. Privacy and confidentiality policies and staff training in line with relevant laws (Pages 14–15)
19. A safe workplace culture, supported by adequate supervision and resources (Page 16)
I hope that helps everyone who's reading this, you are supporting the most vulnerable people in society and it is not viewed lightly by those in charge."

21/06/2025

Hi everyone,
Just letting you know that I have entered the lovely world of TikTok and doing some videos for support workers. Just sharing some knowledge, I have gathered over the years.
Hope you find it helpful and please let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to do a video on how I can improve my videos or message. I could do with the tips!

25 Followers, 206 Following, 27 Likes - Watch awesome short videos created by Agile NDIS Services

02/10/2024

You might start to see Non Face to Face (NF2F) charges on your invoices, especially from major providers. What can and can't they claim. This information can be found in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2024-2025.

Claiming for Non-direct Services
Non-Face-to-Face Support Provision
Providers can only claim from a participant’s plan for the Non-Face-to-Face delivery of a support item if all of the following conditions are met:
• The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits indicates that providers can claim for Non-Face-to-Face Support Provision in respect of that support item; and
• The proposed charges for the activities comply with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and with the Service Agreement with the participant; and
• The activities are part of delivering a specific disability support item to that participant or in the case of group-based supports, are required to enable the group support to be delivered (rather than a general activity such as enrolment, administration or staff rostering); and
• The provider explains the activities to the participant, including why they represent the best use of the participant’s funds (that is, the provider explains the value of these activities to the participant); and
• The provider has the agreement of the participant in advance (that is, the service agreement between the participant and provider specifies that Non-Face-to-Face supports can be claimed).

For example, the Assistance with Self Care support items are described as covering activities “Assisting with, and/or supervising, personal tasks of daily life to develop skills of the participant to live as autonomously as possible”. Therefore, time spent on Non-Face-to-Face activities that assist the participant – for example, writing reports for co-workers and other providers about the client’s progress with skill development – could be claimed against this support item.

The costs of training and up-skilling staff, and of supervision, are included in the base price limits for supports and are not considered billable Non-Face-to-Face supports. However, research undertaken by a capacity-building provider specifically linked to the needs of a participant and to the achievement of the participant’s goals may be billable as a Non-Face-to-Face support with the participant’s prior agreement.

Service agreements with each client can ‘pre-authorise’ these activities, but providers should only claim a support item from a participant’s plan if they have completed activities that are part of the support for that participant. Charging a fee that is not linked to completed activities is not permitted.

Time spent on administration, such as the processing of NDIS payment claims for all clients, should not be claimed from a participant’s budget as a Non-Face-to-Face support. The NDIS price limits include an allowance for overheads, including the costs of administration tasks. Examples of administrative activities that are covered by the overhead component of the support price limits and that should not be billed as Non-Face-to-Face supports include, but are not limited to:
• Pre-engagement visits;
• Developing and agreeing Service Agreements;
• Entering or amending participant details into system;
• Making participant service time changes;
• Staff / participant travel monitoring and adjustment;
• Ongoing NDIS plan monitoring;
• Completing a quoting tool;
• Making service bookings; and
• Making payment claims.
The fee charged for Non-Face-To-Face supports must be reflective of the needs of the participant in the context of the relevant support, and in agreement with the participant.
Claims for Non-Face-to-Face supports are made using the relevant support item, using the “Non-Face-to-Face” option in the myplace portal

Hope that helps.

17/05/2024

Do you know where to look for answers relating to pricing?
You have two main documents. Which collectively have been referred to as the NDIS Price Guide. You can find them both here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements

1. NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) which "assist participants and disability support providers in understanding how price controls for supports and services work in the NDIS."

Here you will find information on: Price limits, pricing terminology, Claiming rules, service agreements, Non face to face charging, transport charging, High intensity charging, Home modifciations, and numerous other things.

2. NDIS Support Catalogue:
this provides the maximum pricing for all support items. It also separates these pricing into States, and zoned areas. Very remote is a higher price. When viewing this document you need to scroll all the way over to the right to know if the price attached the line item you want to use is a 'Price Limited Supports', 'Quotable Supports' or a Unit Price = $1.00. For instances. Provider Travel is a unit Price = $1.00 which means there is no price limit but in order to claim through the NDIS this unit price must be used.

Example : If a provider assists provides activity based transport of 48.5kms at a rate of $0.97 per km nthen the provider would submit a payment request for 48.5 units at $1.00 a unit for a total cost of $48.50.
This is ONLY for claims through the NDIS Portal and is not relevant to those sending invoices to plan managers.

To just extend on this a little in regards to activity based transport, the PAPL says
"If a provider incurs costs, in addition to the cost of a worker’s time, when accompanying and/or transporting participants in the community (such as road tolls, parking fees and the running costs of the vehicle), they may negotiate with the participant for them to make a reasonable contribution towards these costs. The following is a guide as to what these contributions might be:
• For a vehicle that is not modified for accessibility, up to $0.97 a kilometre;
• For a vehicle that is modified for accessibility or a bus, up to $2.76 a kilometre;
• For other forms of transport or associated costs, such as road tolls, parking, and public transport fares, up to the full amount.

NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously the NDIS Price Guide) assist participants and disability support providers to understand the way that price controls for supports and services work in the NDIS. Price regulation is in place to ensure that participants receive value for money in....

11/04/2024

NDIS Code of Conduct
Element 1 Act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions

People with disability have the right to make their own decisions, to be free to live the life they choose, and to have the same rights and freedoms as any other member of the community.

People with disability have full and equal human rights. These rights are set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. They include the right to freedom of expression and the right to make decisions about, and exercise control over, their own lives. Choice and control is a core principle of the NDIS. People with disability have the right to choice and control about who supports them and how their supports and services are delivered.

NDIS providers and workers have an obligation to respect the rights of people with disability and deliver services in a way that maintains the principles underpinning the NDIS.

People with disability have the right to make choices and should always be assumed to have the capacity to make those choices. This is central to their individual rights to freedom of expression and self-determination. Adults with disability should receive the support they need to make any decision. Adults with disability have the right to choose who does and who does not help them to make any decisions. Adults with disability have the right to choose who does and who does not help them to make any decisions. Their partner, family, friends, carers, advocates, support workers and others play an important role in any person’s life. However, not all people with disability need or want those important people to support them in decision-making, or to make decisions for them. NDIS providers should encourage workers to engage directly with people on any choices or decisions that affect them. They should consult them about who, if anyone, they want to involve in decisions and discussions about their services and supports, or other aspects of their lives.

In the early years, workers should work closely with families to understand their child’s strengths, interests and needs, and support them in their caring role. As a child grows up, they should be more involved in decision-making. Workers should involve children and young people in decisions that affect them in ways appropriate to their age and stage of development. In the case of very young children, this will involve ensuring staff pay attention to the signs children give that communicate their feelings, ideas and wishes including non-verbal indications

When the person with disability has a legal guardian or nominee, NDIS providers need to be clear on the decisions in which they need to involve the legal guardian. However, they still must ensure their workers listen to and support the person to make their own decisions.

Communicate in a form, language and manner that enables people with disability to understand the information and make known their will and preferences

People with disability have a right to be an informed consumer about all aspects of the delivery of services to them, including clear pricing information, so they can exercise their right of choice and control about who supports them and how supports and services are delivered, and if they need to change.

People with a disability have a right to question, seek additional information on, or refuse to receive any part of a service.

In practice, this means NDIS providers should:
a. take reasonable steps to educate and support their workers to communicate in a form, language and manner that is accessible and appropriate for the individual and to use a range of communication tools to communicate with the people they support, using assistive technology and alternative forms of communication, such as email, text messages or symbols.
b. where the person speaks a language other than English or uses Auslan, match the person with a worker who speaks their language or uses Auslan (where possible), or provide supports using qualified interpreters, where these supports are covered by their NDIS plan.
c. confirm that the person with disability – and their families, carers or advocates (where relevant) – understands what has been explained, and is aware of potential benefits and risks associated with any part of a proposed plan for the delivery of supports and services.
d. respond to the will, preferences and concerns of the person with disability in relation to their supports and services – addressing requests or complaints where necessary.
e. where possible, provide consistent workers, so that they can build a good understanding of individual communication preferences and needs, particularly where an individual has complex communication needs.

Take into account the expressed values and beliefs of people with disability, including those relating to culture, faith, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexuality and age, as well as disability

Each of these contexts can affect how, when, why, and in what form a person with disability accesses NDIS supports and services. For example, cultural beliefs can shape preferences around who delivers supports and how supports are delivered. Some participants may also feel more comfortable with a worker of a particular gender for supports such as personal care. The Commonwealth S*x Discrimination Act 1984 sets out rights in relation to gender. NDIS providers must acknowledge and consider individual contexts, values and histories, while also complying with obligations under anti-discrimination and work health and safety laws.

In practice, this means NDIS providers should:
a. foster a culture of inclusiveness, in which people with disability feel as comfortable and safe as possible in their day-to-day interactions with workers
b. encourage people with disability to communicate their preferences for how their supports are delivered
c. discuss with people with disability their preferences for their support worker
d. have knowledge of, respect for, and sensitivity towards, the cultural needs of the community served, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
e. where appropriate, provide cultural awareness training to workers to build an understanding of diverse needs and preferences
f. offer people with disability culturally-sensitive activities
g. respond to needs related to gender.

10/04/2024

NDIS CODE OF CONDUCT!
I will be going through each Element of the Code of conduct of the next 8 posts outlining important information that participants should know and definitely support workers both registered and non registered!
So what is it, and where can I find it?

The NDIS Code of Conduct promotes safe and ethical service delivery by setting out expectations for the conduct of both NDIS providers and workers. And can be found here:
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about/ndis-code-conduct
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to:

1. registered NDIS providers and their employees
2. unregistered NDIS providers and their employees
3. providers delivering information, linkages, and capacity building (ILC) activities
4. providers delivering Commonwealth Continuity of Support Programme services for people over the age of 65.

So what is it designed to do?
1. It outlines the code of conduct as set out in the NDIS (Code of conduct) Rules 2018 which are from the NDIS Act 2013.
2. Promotes a safe and skilled workforce within the NDIS by outlining the principles underpinning the NDIS to respect the rights of people with disability, prevent harm and respond appropriately if harm occurs.
3. Provides guidance on factors that may be relvant when considering if an NDIS provider is complying with the CODE, consisting of 7 elements that apply to all providers.
4. Provides information and examples about what the code means in practice.
5. Comprises the following parts:
a. Part 1 outlines the Code and its role under the NDIS Act and in the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
b. Part 2 outlines examples of factors that may be taken into consideration when assessing whether conduct of NDIS providers complies with the Code, including providing more detail and some scenarios to assist NDIS providers to understand how the Code may apply in these particular scenarios.
c. Part 3 outlines actions that can be taken in relation to breaches of the Code and the Code’s relationship with other codes.
6. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the NDIS Commission) will take a proportionate approach, taking into account relevant factors, including the size of an organisation, the type of supports and services delivered, the environment in which these are delivered, participant support needs, other legislative requirements that apply, and other relevant circumstances in assessing compliance with the Code.

For Providers both small and large: "NDIS providers should use their existing employee engagement, human resource and governance arrangements to ensure their compliance with the Code. This will include considering whether operational policies and procedures, and training activities reflect the Code. Workers are expected to use these policies, procedures and training, in addition to their own professional experience and judgment, to comply with the Code."

It is important to note that in the event something goes wrong, the NDIS commission will use this code of conduct a means to evaluate
a providers conduct leading up to the incident. Failure to comply can lead to fines or jail terms.

18/03/2024

Can I purchase sensory equipment?
It is always important to be asking questions of each support and checking that's in line with your plan and the reasonable and necessary criteria. Here are some questions taken from the NDIS Guide to Self Management.
1. Do you need the support because of your disability? (NDIS funding can't be used for day to day living costs such as rent, groceries or household bills)
2. Is the support likely to meet your needs? (Explore supports that best meet your needs)
3. Can you afford the support within your support budget? (your NDIS funding needs to fit into your budget so that your budget lasts the length of your plan.)
4. Is the cost of the support Reasonable? (It should give you good value for money compared to other options.)
Is the support something that should be funded by the NDIS and not other government services. (Such as health, education, housing or public transport).
5. Is the support safe? (You cannot buy items that place you or others at risk)
6. Is the support legal? (you can't break the law ... of course )

Case study

Case example
Waru is a 4 year old child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. His family would like him to continue developing how he manages his emotions (emotional regulation). They would also like support to help him sleep, and manage his behaviour. His family has asked for:

• a weighted blanket and lycra bed sheets to improve sleep
• a swing set and massage ball to help with emotional regulation

To work out if this sensory equipment is reasonable and necessary, we look at the information Waru’s parents give us against the NDIS Funding Criteria. Along with other reasonable and necessary criteria, we think about whether:
• Waru needs the sensory equipment directly because of his disability needs
• we have evidence from an individual trial that shows the sensory equipment is effective or beneficial for Waru
• other evidence shows the equipment is safe and will not cause Waru harm.

We decide that the supports are not reasonable and necessary, and we don’t fund them. There are several reasons for our decision:

• Waru already receives NDIS funding for early childhood intervention, with a team that’s working together to support him and his family. Funding for this sensory equipment would duplicate those supports.

• the swing set falls under the category of play equipment. This means it doesn’t meet the criteria of an “additional living cost” that’s needed “solely and directly” because of Waru’s disability.
• evidence has shown that weighted blankets may cause harm. We won’t provide or fund a support that “is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others”.
• a therapist hasn’t done a trial of the lycra bed sheets and massage ball with Waru. There’s also no evidence from clinical studies that lycra bed sheets and a massage ball are likely to be any more effective or beneficial for Waru than his current supports.

Guide to Self Management

29/02/2024

are you wanting specific supports in your plan. Here is a list of questions asked during an Administrative Appeals Tribunial hearing in relation to a dietician.
A report from the Applicant's treating allied health professional
detailing:
 how funding for a dietician relates to the Applicant's disability;
 whether the Applicant can access a dietician through Medicare and if so, how many hours would the Applicant be able to obtain through Medicare;
 any benefits that the Applicant would obtain from receiving funding for a dietician;
 what level of funding would be reasonable and necessary for the Applicant and the cost to provide the
recommended level of support;
 how this would assist the Applicant in pursuing their NDIS
goals;
 any adverse impacts that the Applicant would incur if she did not receive funding for a dietician; and
 whether there are other cheaper alternatives that the Applicant could reasonably pursue to achieve the same outcome (i.e. nutrition coaching apps) and if so, why the Applicant is unable to pursue those options.

27/02/2024

Can I have an assistance dog funded?
Sorry, there’s a lot of information. Nearly all of it is taken from the this document.
https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/media/1614/download?attachment

As you can imagine they are pretty hard on funding a therapy dog or an assistance dog.

How does the NDIS define an assistance/therapy dog.
“An assistance animal is an animal specially trained by an accredited assistance animal provider to help you do things you can’t do because of your disability”
“It’s an animal that actively helps you to do things you previously couldn’t do because of your disability. It’s not an animal or pet used for therapeutic or companion support, even if you’ve trained it to do some tasks for you. We also know animals can be good for helping with routines and for social engagement, but these things alone don’t mean it meets the definition of an assistance animal”.
So they use the the internationally recognised definition of assistance animals recommended by La Trobe University. The La Trobe University report defines assistance animal as “an animal that is trained to perform at least 3 tasks or behaviours which mitigate the effects of a person’s disability”. This means an assistance animal that has been trained to do at least 3 specific things that you need, but can’t do because of your disability.

When we talk about the tasks the assistance animal does to help you, we mean active things that:
• the animal wouldn’t naturally do that help you manage your disability
• mean you need less of your other funded supports.

The tasks might be things like:
• open and close doors or fridges
• open and close drawers or cupboards
• pick up dropped items
• reassure you in times of extreme anxiety such as helping you to leave your home when you’re too frightened to go out
• press the button at traffic lights
• take clothes out of the washing machine
• help you find your way around safely, including stopping at kerbs and stairs
• guide you through crowds
• find a spare seat on a bus
• help you find doors on cars and trains
• blocking or being a barrier to other people if needed.

The La Trobe University report says the assistance animal, “must also be trained to a high level of obedience”. This means they can safely go to public places that are typically off-limits to animals, such as a train station, café or shops.

The types of assistance animals we fund are:
• dog guides
• hearing assistance animals
• physical assistance animals
• assistance animals for some participants who have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with long term but stable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who are able to take on the ongoing responsibilities of a primary handler.

The La Trobe University report – Key terms for animals in disability assistance roles also talks about other types of animals which are not considered assistance animals. These include:
• companion animals - an animal kept for company or fun, including pets
• emotional support animals - an animal that provides emotional and informal support
• therapy animals - an animal that takes part in therapy activities that are led by a therapist
• facility animals - an animal that may or may not live onsite and is trained to work in a specific facility or type of facility, such as a residential aged care home
• visitation animals - an animal that belongs to a volunteer or provider and is trained to visit residential, health, or educational facilities. These animals bring enjoyment to the clients or students.

All these types of animals can be helpful in your life, but they’re unlikely to meet our NDIS funding criteria.
• We’ll always consider your individual situation when we decide whether a support meets the NDIS funding criteria. But we generally won’t fund an animal if it doesn’t meet the definition of an assistance animal or dog guide. This is because they’re unlikely to be a disability-related support, effective and beneficial, or value for money.

We must look at available evidence of how effective the assistance animals are for other people in similar situations.[i] We’ll look at things like:
• published and refereed academic research
• any agreement of expert opinion
• your lived experience or the experience of your carers
• anything we have learned in our experience at the NDIS.[ii]
We must also take expert opinion into account

To consider if an assistance animal is a reasonable and necessary support, the NDIA requires evidence in writing with input from all of the following:
• a registered assistance animal provider
• allied health professional(s)
• the participant.

Generally, the NDIA will only fund an assistance animal which has passed, or will pass, your state or territory’s Public Access Test. This ensures that the animal is suitable to accompany and support you as you participate in the community.

To decide if we’ll fund an assistance animal, it must meet all of the criteria.
We also need to think about:
• if the assistance animal relates to your disability[iii]
• if the assistance animal is likely to cause harm to you or be a risk to others[iv]
• if the assistance animal duplicates other supports you get under alternative funding through the NDIS[v]
• whether providing the assistance animal will not meet Commonwealth, state and territory laws[vi]

The assistance animal must meet the NDIS funding criteria by itself, and when considered as part of your total package of supports. We approve your plan as a whole, not individual supports in isolation.[vii]
Is an assistance animal value for money?
We need to know that an assistance animal is value for money.[viii] We check if the assistance animal is the most cost effective support option for you, compared to other supports that might help in the same way for less cost.[ix]

You might have funding in your plan for a support worker to help you get around the community. An assistance animal may be better value for money. This is because you may not need the support worker to help you get around the community once you have a dog guide.[x]

Is an assistance animal effective and beneficial for you?
We need to make sure that an assistance animal will be effective and beneficial for you, taking into account current good practice.[xi] Effective and beneficial means it will help you and be suitable for your disability support needs.

We need to check if the animal meets the definition of an assistance animal and if it is, or will be, fully trained and qualified.
We also need to think about good practice. This means we look at how effective the assistance animal has been for other people with similar support needs and in situations like yours.[xii] If you’ve had an assistance animal before, we’ll look at how the animal has helped you in the past.[xiii]

To decide if this support will be effective and beneficial for you, we think about[xiv]:
• how the assistance animal will actively help you do at least 3 tasks that you can’t do because of your disability[xv]
• the results and outcomes of having an assistance animal compared to not having one
• whether you have any experience using an assistance animal, such as a trial of using it as a support. A trial is generally done after you’ve tried other best practice supports[xvi]
• whether you’ve tried best-practice supports and how they worked for you. These are supports that have been helpful for others in similar situations. For example, things like other types of assistive technology or capacity building supports. They’re generally seen by medical and allied health professionals as the best way to support people with similar disabilities.
• whether the assistance animal has done, or will do, all the relevant training, which includes being qualified as an assistance animal and passing the public access test.

There isn’t currently a lot of research or evidence to show that assistance animals, other than dog guides are effective compared to other supports. Before we decide to fund an assistance animal, we have a responsibility under the NDIS Act to make sure other support options have been properly considered. Such as supports that have been effective for others with similar needs and may be less costly.
• For example, for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there’s very little research or evidence an assistance animal is more effective than other supports. A companion animal or other supports that people with similar needs use, are shown to be just as effective.

What if you already have an assistance animal before your plan is approved?
You must have funding in your plan for an assistance animal before you buy one or enter into a service agreement for a future assistance animal. We can’t include funding for an assistance animal if you have already bought it. For example, you might already have an assistance animal before you joined the NDIS, or you bought one before your plan was approved.
If you already have an assistance animal, we might be able to fund its ongoing maintenance costs. But first we’ll need to decide if your animal meets the NDIS funding criteria, including our definition of an assistance animal. If it does, we’ll include funding in your plan for ongoing maintenance costs.

Do you need to give us a quote?
Yes. You need to give us a quote for the cost of getting your assistance animal from your accredited assistance animal provider.
The quote will need to include the cost of each of these items, listed separately, and when they can be expected to happen:
• Assessments
• Matching you to the assistance animal to make sure it’s suitable for you
• Specific training milestones and qualifications for the animal
• Any equipment the animal needs, including initial harnesses or grooming equipment
• Training for you and the dog to work together, once the animal is qualified
• Ongoing costs, such as vet bills or special diets
If the animal isn’t fully trained yet, the quote should include the amount or percentage of funds to be paid for the:
• initial payment
• milestone or progress payments
• final payment.
We strongly recommend these terms and conditions for payments are also part of your service agreement.

What happens once you have an assistance animal?
If an assistance animal meets the NDIS funding criteria, we’ll also fund the ongoing maintenance costs that are included in the criteria. This is to keep the animal healthy and active during its working life. Its working life is the length of time the assistance animal will support you and help you do your tasks. We would expect this to be a minimum of 8 years. We’ll assess these costs at your plan reassessment.

Maintenance costs may include costs for:
• food
• grooming
• flea and worm treatments
• medication
• vaccinations
• vet services
• yearly reviews with the accredited assistance animal provider.
The average funding for maintenance costs is around of $2,725.00 per year. We’ll fund this in your Core – Consumables budget. You’ll see this written in your plan as Assistance Dog (Including Dog Guide) ongoing costs
Examples in the document
• Connor - autism spectrum disorder
• Peter – psychosocial disability
• Mandy - psychosocial disability
• Sarah - quadriplegia
• Joe – low vision