How to buy NDIS assistive technology

NDIS resource hub · how to buy

Self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed — the way your plan is managed decides where you buy assistive technology and how it's paid. Find your path below.

The quick answer

Self-managed gives you the most supplier choice, but you pay and claim. Plan-managed means your plan manager pays your invoices for you. NDIA-managed means you use NDIS registered providers, who claim directly from the NDIA. Whichever applies, the item still needs to be an NDIS support that fits your plan.

How is your plan managed?

Pick the one that matches your plan to see exactly how buying and claiming works for you:

Self-managed

You pay providers directly and claim from your plan — the widest supplier choice.
  • Buy from: any provider (registered or not)
  • Who pays: you, then claim back
  • Your admin: most
Self-managed guide →

Plan-managed

A plan manager pays your invoices for you — usually no upfront payment.
  • Buy from: wide range (subject to plan manager)
  • Who pays: your plan manager
  • Your admin: low
Plan-managed guide →

NDIA-managed

Registered providers only, who claim directly from the NDIA — most hands-off.
  • Buy from: registered providers only
  • Who pays: the NDIA (provider claims)
  • Your admin: least
NDIA-managed guide →

Not sure how your plan is managed? Check your NDIS plan, or ask your support coordinator, plan manager or the NDIA. Your plan can even use different management types for different budgets.

Whichever you are, check the item first

Your plan management type changes where you can buy and how it's paid — not what is fundable. Every purchase still needs to be an NDIS support that relates to your disability support needs and fits your plan. Run the before-you-buy check before you spend.

How LowCost AT fits, whatever your plan

Whatever your plan management type, LowCost AT can help with the buying step. We provide clear, claim-ready tax invoices for self-managed buyers, we invoice plan managers directly for plan-managed participants, and as an NDIS registered provider we can submit claims to the NDIA for agency-managed participants. We dispatch once payment is confirmed.

We can't approve funding or decide whether an item is claimable for your circumstances — that depends on your plan and NDIS rules — but the buying and paperwork side is covered for all three.

Found your path?
Browse low-cost assistive technology, or talk to our Australian team about how buying works for your plan type.
Browse low-cost ATTalk to our team

Common questions

How do I know how my plan is managed?
Check your NDIS plan, or ask your support coordinator, plan manager or the NDIA. Your plan can have different management types for different budgets — for example, Core self-managed and Capital NDIA-managed.
Can I use LowCost AT with any plan management type?
Yes. We provide claim-ready invoices for self-managed buyers, invoice plan managers directly for plan-managed participants, and as an NDIS registered provider we can claim from the NDIA for agency-managed participants. The item still needs to suit your plan.
Does my plan management type change what I can buy?
No. It changes where you can buy and how it's paid, not what's fundable. The item must still be an NDIS support that relates to your disability support needs and fits your plan.

This article is general information only and is not legal, financial, clinical, plan-management or individual NDIS advice. NDIS rules and guidance can change, and individual plans differ. Check your current plan, the latest NDIA guidance, or speak with your support coordinator, plan manager, allied health professional, AT advisor or the NDIA before purchasing if you are unsure.