Why trial or rent instead of buying
Assistive technology that is wrong for you can be uncomfortable, unsafe or simply end up unused. Trying it first, or renting it while your needs settle, protects you and your funding. The NDIA says renting is often best when:
- It is for a child who is likely to outgrow it soon
- Your needs are changing quickly, for example after surgery or during rehabilitation
- You only need the item for a short period
- You want to try an item before deciding if it is right for you
- Renting is better value than buying
Trials before you buy
If you have never used a type of equipment before, a trial helps you and your therapist see whether it really meets your needs at home, at work or in the community. For some high cost assistive technology you have not used before, the NDIA asks you to trial it before it considers adding funding to buy it.
Trials can be short, such as testing several items during a clinic session, or longer, such as a week or more at home. Some suppliers offer trial to buy arrangements, where the cost of the trial comes off the price if you go on to buy the item. It is worth asking.
What can be rented
The NDIS Support Catalogue has rental items across most kinds of assistive technology, including:
- Personal mobility and transfer equipment, such as wheelchairs and hoists
- Personal care and safety equipment
- Communication and computer access devices
- Hearing and vision equipment
- Prostheses and orthoses
- Equipment for household tasks and modified recreation equipment
- Some home modification items, such as portable ramps
Which budget pays
Rental and trial funding sits in your Capital budget. Plans made in the NDIA's PACE system have a specific category for it: category 19, Assistive Technology Maintenance, Repair and Rental. It is usually stated, so it can only be used for that purpose.
The NDIA has a guide setting out expected prices for items commonly trialled or rented, which it uses to work out funding. Your therapist's time to run the trial and advise you is separate. Independent advice and trials not bundled with a sale are usually paid from Capacity Building, often the improved daily living skills budget, which is reduced by 10% when a plan is created, reassessed or renewed from 1 October 2026.
Making a trial count
- Trial the item where you will really use it, such as your home, car or workplace
- Ask your therapist to write down what worked, what did not, and why
- Compare more than one model where you can
- Keep the trial notes. They are strong evidence for a mid cost or high cost request
- If you rent long term, compare the total rental cost with the purchase price every so often
The 2026 funding reset
Assistive technology itself, including rental, is Capital funding and is not one of the two groups the October 2026 reset reduces. Only therapy and advice funded from improved daily living skills is affected.