Working out how to actually pay for a mobility aid with your NDIS plan can feel more confusing than choosing the aid itself. The good news is that for everyday equipment like a shower chair or a rollator, it is simpler than most people expect.
This guide explains, in plain steps, how to get a mobility aid with NDIS funding, whether you manage your own plan or use a plan manager, and what you do not have to worry about.
Most mobility aids are low-cost AT, so there is no quote to chase
Shower chairs, rollators, walkers, toilet frames and daily living aids are low-cost assistive technology, meaning items under $1,500 that are low risk. For these, you do not need a quote, and you do not need an occupational therapist assessment before you buy. You can simply order. Everything SteadWell sells sits under that $1,500 line, so this applies to the whole range.
If you are self-managed
You order and pay the way you would in any online shop, then claim it back through the myplace participant portal. We send you a compliant tax invoice with our ABN and the support item code, so you have exactly what the claim needs. Nothing to chase, nothing complicated.
If you are plan-managed
You do not pay upfront. At checkout, choose the plan-managed option and add your plan manager's email in the notes. We then send the invoice straight to your plan manager, complete with our ABN, your NDIS number, the support item code and GST status. Your plan manager pays us, and you do not have to do anything else. This is the part that usually causes back-and-forth with other suppliers, and it is the part we handle for you.
SteadWell is not yet a registered NDIS provider, so we can work with self-managed and plan-managed participants, but not agency-managed plans. If you are agency-managed, your planner or support coordinator can point you to a registered provider.
Which support category does a mobility aid come under?
Mobility items like rollators and walkers are claimed under low-cost assistive technology for personal mobility, and bathroom and toilet aids under low-cost assistive technology for personal care and safety. If you are not sure your plan has room for it, your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm in a minute. Our NDIS funding page sets out the process, and our guide to mobility aids you can get on the NDIS covers which products qualify.
A quick summary
Choose your aid, and if you are self-managed, order and claim with the invoice we send. If you are plan-managed, choose the plan-managed option and add your plan manager's email, and we invoice them directly. No quote, no assessment, nothing to chase.
Answer three questions and get one clear recommendation for your situation.
Common questions
Does the NDIS cover a shower chair?
Yes, for most participants. A shower chair is low-cost assistive technology, so if your plan is self-managed or plan-managed you can order one without a quote or an assessment.
Do I need an OT assessment to buy a mobility aid on the NDIS?
Not for low-cost assistive technology under $1,500, which covers shower chairs, rollators, walkers and toilet aids. An assessment is generally only needed for higher-cost or higher-risk equipment.
How does plan-managed payment work at SteadWell?
You choose the plan-managed option at checkout and add your plan manager's email. SteadWell sends the invoice directly to your plan manager with the ABN, your NDIS number and the support item code, and they pay it. You do not pay upfront.
Can I use SteadWell if my NDIS plan is agency-managed?
Not yet. SteadWell works with self-managed and plan-managed participants. It is not yet a registered NDIS provider, so it cannot process agency-managed orders.
What support item codes does SteadWell invoice against?
Low-cost assistive technology for personal mobility for walkers and rollators, and low-cost assistive technology for personal care and safety for bathroom and toilet aids.
Bianca is the founder of SteadWell, an Australian store for mobility and daily living aids. She personally selects every product in the range against SteadWell's checklist, so families can choose with confidence rather than guesswork.
