Three ways NDIS supports are priced
The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits describe three kinds of support item:
- Price controlled supports: there is a price limit, and the agreed price cannot go above it
- Quotable supports: there is no price limit. The price is set by a quote the NDIA approves, and the support must be specifically included in the plan
- Supports not subject to price control: no limit and no quote, but the price must be reasonable and agreed. Many, such as low cost assistive technology, are claimed against a notional unit price, so the number of units equals the dollar amount
Examples of quotable supports
In the current pricing arrangements, items marked as subject to quotation include:
- Assistance from a live in carer
- On call overnight monitoring
- Linen service
- Other living arrangements, such as host family and some shared living arrangements
- Individualised Living Options, the support model stage
- Specialised transport to school, education, work or the community
- Specialised driver training, following an assessment by a driver trained occupational therapist
- High cost assistive technology and complex home modifications, under the NDIS assistive technology, home modifications and consumables code guide
How the quote process works
The provider prepares a quote for the specific support, usually with the participant and often alongside a therapist's assessment or recommendation. The quote goes to the NDIA, which checks it against the reasonable and necessary criteria, including value for money. If approved, the support becomes a stated item in the participant's plan, which means the funding can only be used for that support.
The pricing arrangements say a provider can only claim a quotable support if they gave a quotation to the NDIA for that item and it is a stated item in the plan. In older plans the NDIA then created a service booking for claiming.
What makes a strong quote
- It is specific to the participant: what will be delivered, how often, by whom and for how long
- It matches the assessor's or therapist's recommendation exactly
- It shows the cost breakdown, including any parts, labour, delivery or set up
- It shows how the support meets the participant's goals and why it is value for money
- It is dated and states how long the price is valid
Not the same as a price limit
Because there is no price limit, quotable supports are easy to misunderstand. The approved quote becomes the ceiling in practice: claim what was approved, not more. If costs change, for example a builder's price rises, a new quote needs to go to the NDIA. Quoted items in the pricing arrangements show N/A instead of a dollar limit.
Self managed participants are not bound by price limits, but a stated item still has to be spent on exactly what it was approved for.
What is changing
Since 27 August 2026 the Minister sets NDIS price limits through a pricing determination, with prices listed in the 2026/27 pricing schedule. The NDIA has said updated pricing and claiming guidance will follow. Under new framework planning, which begins rolling out from 1 April 2027, some supports will continue to be funded as stated supports, so expect quotes to remain part of the system for higher cost and specialised items.