DOCUMENT 6
Guide to Reasonable and Necessary (R & N) decisions
Smart devices – tablets
Case example
Rebecca asks us to fund a tablet, as her therapist has recommended a few apps to help her manage her disability. She supports her funding request with a letter from her therapist.
Would we fund this?
No, we wouldn’t fund a tablet device as it’s not an NDIS support. A tablet is a day-to-day living cost and not an extra living cost because of your disability support needs.
However, in some situations you can ask to replace an existing NDIS support in your plan with a tablet. This is known as a replacement support. A replacement support must be for your disability support needs, and it must replace an existing NDIS support or supports in your plan.
For example, if you have complex communication needs and require the use of a tablet as an alternative communication device, we may be able to fund this as a replacement support in your plan. If you think a tablet is better for you than another NDIS support, you can ask to replace that support. Only some supports can be replaced. These are listed in the replacement supports list.
You can only spend your funding on a replacement if we have agreed in writing that you can buy this support.
Why wouldn’t we fund this?
NDIS laws determine what we can and can’t fund. Things we can fund are called NDIS supports. You can use the funding in your plan to buy NDIS supports if they are related to your disability and are in-line with your plan.
Tablets and computers are a day-to-day living cost. Most Australians have them, and most of the community uses them. A day-to-day living cost is not an NDIS support.
In some specific circumstances, we can fund supports that are not NDIS supports. These are known as replacement supports. A replacement support must meet certain criteria and replace an existing NDIS support in your plan. You can only spend your funding on a replacement if we have approved that you can buy this support. The replacement support must be from the approved replacement supports list.
What else do we think about?
To determine if a tablet can be considered a replacement support for you, it must meet certain criteria. It must:
- replace an NDIS support or supports in your plan
- help you do the same or more than the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing
- cost the same or less than the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing.
Case example
Four year old Isaac has autism spectrum disorder and doesn’t use speech to communicate. Isaac’s speech therapist recommends a tablet and specific apps to help him communicate. He has funding in his plan for mid-cost assistive technology.
Isaac’s mother Anita asks us to fund a tablet and the cost of the apps as a replacement support. She supports her request with Isaac’s therapist’s written recommendation on apps, including information about the cost of a tablet and the apps.
The planner looks at whether:
- it is a replacement support from the pre-approved replacement supports list. If the replacement support is not on this list, you won’t be able to ask for it
- it will replace an NDIS support or supports in Isaac’s plan
- it will help Isaac do the same or more than the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing
- it costs the same or less than the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing.
In Isaac’s case, the planner decides that:
- Isaac has complex communication needs because he can’t communicate using verbal speech
- a smart tablet used for communication and accessibility needs is on the replacement support list
- the tablet and communication apps are the only way that Isaac can communicate but the tablet must not be a shared device
- the tablet and communication apps are the best solution to meet Isaac’s communication needs
- he can replace some of his mid-cost assistive technology budget for the tablet and communication apps.
The planner approves funding for the tablet and communication apps as a replacement support.
For more information, go to:
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Instead, when you apply, you need to tell us how it will help you. For example, the replacement support may help you to:
- participate in community and social activities
- do tasks more independently
- keep doing the things you need to do.
The replacement support may mean you need less help from support workers or from specialised assistive technology for your disability.
You can provide us with a quote for the replacement support if you would like to.
We’ll check your application when we receive it. We’ll let you know if we need more information from you before we make our decision.
How we make our decision
After you apply, we look at whether the information you’ve given us meets the criteria for approving a replacement support. We don’t need any additional assessments or reports to make our decision.
The replacement support must:
- replace an NDIS support or supports in your plan
- help you the same or more than the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing
- cost the same or less that the NDIS support or supports it’s replacing
- be safe for you.
If your application is approved
We’ll call and let you know that we have approved your application for a replacement support. Then, we’ll send you a letter by post or email.
You can buy your replacement support as soon as it’s been approved. You can show your letter to the provider to let them know the support has been approved by us.
You will need to use the funding in your plan for the NDIS support or supports to pay for the replacement support.
If the replacement support has extra costs, we’ll tell you if they are also included. This might be things like delivery, or repairs and maintenance.
The approval for your replacement supports will last for your current plan. If you want to ask for this replacement support again, you will need to ask in your next plan.
In some situations, we may need to change how your plan is managed so you can buy your approved replacement support. We will talk to you about this when we contact you to tell you that we have approved the replacement support.
If your application is not approved
We’ll call you to let you know that we have not approved your application. We’ll give you the reasons your application has not been approved. We’ll also send you a letter by post or email to confirm this in writing.
If we don’t approve your application, you won’t be able to use the funding in your plan to buy the replacement support.
You can’t ask us for a review of this decision.
You can continue to use the NDIS support or supports that are described in your plan.
Reapplying for a replacement support
If your application is not approved, you can’t apply for that same replacement support again for 12 months. For example, if you apply for a replacement support in January and we don’t approve it, you will have to wait until January of the following year to reapply for the same replacement support.
If your circumstances change and we reassess your plan, you do not have to wait for 12 months before you apply for the same replacement support again.
Applying for a different replacement support
You can apply for a different replacement support at any time. Go to How to apply to learn more.
How to claim for your replacement support
How you claim for a replacement support depends on how your plan is managed.
If we approve your application for a replacement support, we’ll explain how to claim in the letter we send you. When you claim, you’ll need to include a tax invoice or receipt for the replacement support you bought.
National Disability Insurance Agency
Telephone 1800 800 110
Webchat ndis.gov.au
Follow us on our social channels
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn
For people who need help with English
TIS: 131 450
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing
TTY: 1800 555 677
Voice relay: 1800 555 727
National Relay Service: relayservice.gov.au
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Help with this document
You can get someone to help you:
- understand this document
- find more information.
Contact information is at the end of this document.
ndis.gov.au | 2
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Supports that you might be allowed to spend NDIS funding on
Standard commercially available household items
This means things for a home that are proven to help:
- with disability needs
- you be independent.
Some people might be able to spend NDIS funding on assistive technology.
Assistive technology means things that help people with disability.
ndis.gov.au | 5
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Tablets
A tablet is something that:
- connects to the internet
- you can carry around with you.
You might be allowed to spend NDIS funding on a tablet if it:
- helps you communicate
- is the best way for you to communicate.
ndis.gov.au | 7
Smart phones
A smart phone is something that:
- connects to the internet
- you can carry around with you.
You might be allowed to spend NDIS funding on a smart phone if it:
- helps you communicate
- is the best way for you to communicate.
ndis.gov.au | 8
Apps for accessibility and communication purposes
Apps for accessibility and communication purposes are programs that:
- you put on something, like a tablet
- help you communicate.
You might be allowed to spend NDIS funding on apps if they:
- help you communicate
- are the best way for you to communicate.
ndis.gov.au | 9
More information about this document
For more information about this document, please contact us.
You can call us
1800 800 110
You can send us an email
You can visit one of our offices in person
You can find your local office on the NDIS website.
ndis.gov.au | 10
Get help to contact us
For people who need help with English
You can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS).
131 450
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing
You can use the National Relay Service.
You can use text telephone mode (TTY).
1800 555 677
You can use voice relay.
1800 555 727
ndis.gov.au | 12
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Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
Category – Day to day living
Replacement support: standard commercially available household items
Specific circumstances the support may be considered for replacement
- Where there is clear evidence that the need for the item relates specifically to the participant’s impairment that meets the disability or early intervention requirements.
- This item must increase whole task independence and reduce or eliminate the need for a support worker or disability specific assistive technology.
Proposed support category
- Consumables.
- Assistive Technology.
Replacement support: smart watches, tablets, smart phones, apps for accessibility/communication purposes
Specific circumstances the support may be considered for replacement
- Participants who require the use of a smart watch, tablet or smart phone required to meet communication and accessibility needs.
- For example, a participant with complex communication needs who uses a tablet as an alternative communication device, which is their only way to communicate and so cannot be shared, where this is the most appropriate solution for their needs.
- Note: Any smart device used for tracking purposes could be considered a restrictive practice and needs to be considered in this context.
Proposed support category
- Consumables.
- Assistive Technology.
ndis.gov.au | 2
National Disability Insurance Agency
Telephone 1800 800 110
Webchat ndis.gov.au
Follow us on our social channels
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn
For people who need help with English
TIS: 131 450
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing
TTY: 1800 555 677
Voice relay: 1800 555 727
National Relay Service: relayservice.gov.au
ndis.gov.au | 3
Agency Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom the under released was document This
The supports that can replace an existing support or supports in your plan are:
- standard commercially available household items, like a washing machine or dishwasher
- smart watches
- tablet devices
- smartphones
- an app for accessibility or communication
If the replacement support is not on this list, you won’t be able to ask for it.
National Disability Insurance Agency
Telephone 1800 800 110
Webchat ndis.gov.au
Follow us on our social channels
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn
For people who need help with English
TIS: 131 450
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing
TTY: 1800 555 677
Voice relay: 1800 555 727
National Relay Service: relayservice.gov.au