The not NDIS supports list
Since 3 October 2024 the NDIS Act has defined what an NDIS support is. Schedule 2 of the NDIS Supports Transitional Rules lists supports that generally are not NDIS supports. If something is on that list, you cannot spend NDIS funding on it, whatever your plan says, unless the NDIA has approved it as a replacement support.
The Act also says three things are never NDIS supports: sexual services, alcohol, and drugs that are illegal to possess.
Everyday living costs
The NDIS pays for the extra costs of disability, not the costs everyone has. The excluded list includes:
- Rent, bonds, mortgages, rates and utility bills
- Groceries, takeaway and food delivery (meal services can be claimed for the preparation and delivery part, not the food itself)
- Standard household items, appliances, furniture and home repairs
- Phones, tablets, standard computers, internet and phone plans, games and streaming
- Standard clothing and footwear, hairdressing, cosmetics and manicures
- Holidays, airfares, event tickets, gym and club memberships
- Cars, petrol, registration and mechanical repairs (except repairs to funded vehicle modifications)
- Pets and their costs, other than an approved assistance animal
Things another system pays for
The NDIS is meant to work alongside health, education, housing and other services, not replace them. So it does not fund:
- Health: diagnosis, medical treatment, hospital care, medicines, prescription glasses, ambulances, and rehabilitation after a recent illness or surgery
- Mental health treatment that is clinical in nature, including hospital and community mental health services
- School and further education: fees, tutors, school equipment, adjustments at school or university, camps and excursions
- Employment programs and the adjustments employers are responsible for
- Public and social housing, homelessness services, public transport and community infrastructure
- Child protection, childcare fees, general parenting programs and general family therapy
- Aged care fees and the care a residential aged care home provides, with some exceptions for people who entered before 65
Therapies the NDIS excludes
Some therapies are excluded because they are not considered evidence based. The list names, among others, crystal therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, sound therapy, yoga therapy, wilderness therapy, animal therapy, hypnotherapy, neurofeedback, kinesiology, reiki, life coaching and massage that is not delivered by an allied health professional for a disability related purpose.
This does not mean all similar sounding supports are out. Therapy from allied health professionals, such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and speech pathology, remains an NDIS support when it relates to your disability.
Where the line is less obvious
The word standard matters. A standard chair is out, but furniture adapted for your disability can be an assistive product. Standard clothing is out, but modified or adaptive clothing is in. Groceries are out, but modified foods, including those used for tube feeding, can be NDIS supports.
Health is similar. Treatment of a health condition is the health system's job, but help to manage a health condition because of your disability, such as dysphagia, continence or wound care support, can be funded as a disability related health support.
What changed in 2026
In August 2026 the government proposed updated Rules. It suggested adding a few items to the excluded list where there had been disputes: electronic noise cancelling headphones, fencing and gates, hair styling tools, hydrogen fuel and electric vehicle charging costs, and scuba therapy. It also proposed making clear that animal assisted therapy can be funded when delivered as part of therapy by a qualified allied health professional. Consultation closed on 14 October 2026 and these are not final.