If you're wondering whether the NDIS will fund a wheelchair, the short answer is yes. But how the process works — and how much documentation you'll need — depends on the type of chair and its cost. This guide walks you through the 2025-26 rules, the assessment steps, and what to expect when you put in your request.
Does NDIS Fund Wheelchairs?
Yes. Wheelchairs are funded under the NDIS as Assistive Technology (AT), sitting within Support Category 5. The level of funding available — and the paperwork involved — depends on the type of wheelchair and how much it costs.
What Category Does a Wheelchair Fall Under?
Wheelchairs fall under the NDIS Assistive Technology support category. The NDIS broadly classifies them by complexity and cost:
- Low-cost AT (items under $1,500): simpler manual wheelchairs may be self-managed with minimal assessment documentation
- Mid-cost AT ($1,500 to $15,000): covers most standard electric and manual wheelchairs; requires an OT assessment and a supplier quote
- High-cost AT (over $15,000): complex power wheelchairs with specialist seating; requires a comprehensive AT assessment report from an occupational therapist
Low-Cost vs Complex Assistive Technology
The NDIS draws a clear line between low-cost AT — which can be self-managed with less paperwork — and complex AT, which requires a formal assessment process. Most quality wheelchairs fall into the mid or high category, which means an occupational therapist assessment is almost always part of the process. The OT's job is to document why a specific chair is the right fit for your goals and disability-related needs — not just that you need a wheelchair in general.
How to Get a Wheelchair Funded Through NDIS
Step 1: Get a Functional Assessment
Start with your GP or ask for a referral to an occupational therapist. The OT will assess your functional capacity: how you move, what you can and can't do, and what your body needs from a wheelchair. This assessment is the foundation of your AT application. It connects your disability and your goals to a specific type of chair — and without it, the NDIS has nothing to approve.
Step 2: Get a Quote and AT Assessment
Based on your assessment, your OT will recommend a specific chair — or a short list of options. You'll need a formal quote from an AT supplier and a written AT assessment report from the OT. For mid-cost and high-cost items, the NDIS requires both before it approves a purchase. Make sure your OT report explicitly links the wheelchair to your NDIS goals. Vague reports slow things down.
Step 3: Submit for Plan Approval
Your plan manager or support coordinator submits the AT request through the NDIS myplace portal, along with your OT report and supplier quote. The NDIA reviews the evidence and either approves or declines the request. For most straightforward applications, you're looking at two to six weeks to process once your documentation is complete.
What to Expect in Your NDIS Plan (2025-26)
Changes Under the NDIS Act 2024
The NDIS Act was updated in late 2024, with new rules around AT funding taking effect in 2025. For wheelchair funding, the key changes include stricter evidence requirements for complex AT and updated functional outcome language in assessments. Your occupational therapist should already be across the current requirements — but it's worth asking them directly about any recent changes to AT assessment standards when you book your appointment.
Working with Your Plan Manager
A good plan manager will know the process, help you pull together the right evidence file, and deal with the NDIA on your behalf. If you don't have a plan manager, your support coordinator can often step in and help you navigate the AT process. For complex power wheelchairs, some specialist AT suppliers also have their own AT assessors who can coordinate directly with your OT. We recommend speaking with your plan manager before you commit to any particular model or supplier — it saves time and avoids surprises later.
Key takeaways:
- Wheelchairs are funded under NDIS Support Category 5 (Assistive Technology)
- Most wheelchairs require an OT assessment and a supplier quote before NDIS approval
- Your assessment must link the chair to your disability-related needs and NDIS goals
- Mid-cost and high-cost AT applications typically take two to six weeks once documentation is complete
See our full guide on free and subsidised wheelchair options in Australia for other funding pathways beyond NDIS. Browse our full wheelchair range once you know what your plan will support.