What the Consumables budget covers
Consumables is support category 03, part of your Core budget. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements describe it as helping participants buy everyday use items, including continence and home enteral nutrition products. Typical items include:
- Continence products, such as pads, catheters, bags and skin care products
- Home enteral nutrition, or tube feeding, products
- Consumable products for menstruation, where needed because of your disability
- Low cost assistive technology under $1,500, such as a walking stick, non slip bath mat or basic shower chair
- Other disability related products that wear out or need regular replacing
Consumables and continence
Continence products are the most common consumable. To get the right amount in your plan, the NDIA usually needs to understand what products you use and how many. A continence assessment by a continence nurse or other qualified health professional can recommend the right products and quantities, and it is good evidence for your plan. The Continence page explains that support in more detail.
How the funding works
Core funding is usually flexible, so consumables funding often sits in one Core amount with assistance with daily life, transport and community participation. You can use it across those categories within the plan's descriptions.
Most Core funding is released in funding periods, often 3 months. The NDIA may put more funding in the first funding period so you can bulk buy consumables such as continence products. If your plan includes enteral feeding products, you get 12 months of that funding in the first funding period of each plan year.
Buying consumables
- Self managed and plan managed participants can buy from any supplier, including pharmacies and online stores, if the item is an NDIS support for them
- Agency managed participants need a registered provider
- Pricing for consumables is set out in the NDIA's Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide
- Keep receipts. From 1 December 2026 claims must be made within 90 days of the purchase
- Do not stockpile more than you need. Buy in amounts that fit your funding periods
What is not a consumable
Everyday products anyone would buy, such as standard toiletries, groceries or household cleaning products, are day to day living costs, not NDIS supports. Medical supplies needed for treatment, rather than because of your disability, are usually the job of the health system. Assistive technology from $1,500 upwards is funded from your Capital budget, not Consumables.
Consumables and the 2026 changes
The October 2026 funding reset only reduces social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills supports. Consumables is a separate category and is not reduced, and consumable products to help with incontinence and menstruation are named among the protected supports.