The NDIS is going through its biggest period of change since the scheme began. If you rely on it to fund mobility equipment, wheelchairs or other assistive technology, there are things you need to know now.
From 1 July 2026, the NDIA will start transitioning participants onto a new planning framework. The rollout is gradual, but the changes will affect how your plan is built, how your budget is structured, and how assistive technology is funded.
This post breaks down what is changing and what it means for your equipment, in plain English.
What Is the New Framework?
The current system assesses what you cannot do. Your functional limitations determine what support you get. The new framework takes a different approach. Instead of leading with what you are unable to do, it focuses on what disability-related supports you actually need to live your life.
The goal is a fairer, simpler and more flexible process.
At the centre of it is a new support needs assessment. A trained assessor meets with you at a time and place that suits you, to talk through your daily life, your goals and the supports you need. You can bring family, a carer or your support coordinator. The assessor then writes a report that informs your NDIS budget.
The I-CAN Assessment Tool
The assessment uses a tool called I-CAN (Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs,
version 6), a strengths-based framework that has been used in the care sector for over 20 years. It is designed for participants aged 16 and over.
The tool is used alongside a personal and environmental circumstances questionnaire. For participants with more complex needs, treating health professionals may also be asked to contribute reports.
How Your Funding Structure Is Changing
Currently, NDIS plans split funding across three categories: Core Supports, Capacity Building and Capital
Supports.
Under the new framework, this changes to two types:
- Flexible funding: money you can use across any NDIS-approved supports.
- Stated funding: money designated for specific supports from qualified providers.
Assistive technology sits in Stated funding. This means your wheelchair, scooter, communication device or other AT stays ring-fenced. It cannot be redirected to other supports or reallocated elsewhere. What changes is how and when it gets released.
What This Means for AT Funding
Under the new framework, if you have AT or home modification funding in your plan, it will be released in full at the start of the plan period.
For large purchases, that is a real improvement. You will not need to wait or save across multiple quarters. There is a catch, though. Any AT funding left at the end of your plan will not automatically roll into your next one. You need to use it.
The cost tiers stay broadly similar:
| Tier | Cost Range | What’s Required |
| Low cost AT | Under $1,500 per item | No quote needed |
| Mid cost AT | $1,500 to $15,000 | Written evidence required |
| High cost AT | Over $15,000 | Full AT assessment required |
Funding decisions are still based on what the equipment enables you to do, not the brand or product category.
What to Do Before July 2026
Most participants will not transition to the new framework straight away. The rollout is gradual and your current plan continues as normal until your next review. But if your review is coming up this year, preparation matters.
- Document your AT needs now.
Start keeping notes on the supports you rely on throughout a typical day: personal care, transport, mobility, household tasks. The more specific you are, the stronger your case in a support needs assessment. - Talk to your Support Coordinator or OT.
If you rely on a power wheelchair, mobility scooter, FES system or other equipment, speak with your support coordinator or occupational therapist before your next review. Make sure your current needs are fully documented and your plan reflects what you actually use day to day. - Plan large AT purchases carefully.
Funding will no longer roll over under the new framework, so timing matters more than it used to. Do not leave yourself rushing to spend AT funding in the final weeks of your plan. - Check which cost tier applies to what you need.
Mid-cost items ($1,500 to $15,000) require written evidence but no formal AT assessment. High-cost items (over $15,000) require a full assessment. Knowing the tier in advance means you can get the right documentation ready.
AT Products Commonly Funded Under the NDIS
If you are reviewing your plan or preparing for a new assessment, these are products MobiAssist participants regularly access through NDIS AT funding:
Electric Wheelchairs: Mid to high cost AT. The SWEETRICH APACHE and Gilani Engineering range are
popular choices for participants who need powered mobility.
Electric Mobility Scooters: Mid to high cost AT. KYMCO, QUINGO and Heartway models are frequently
approved for participants with mobility-related disabilities.
ALFESS Functional Electrical Stimulation System: A prescribed mid-cost AT supporting gait rehabilitation
and functional movement. Commonly approved for participants with stroke, MS or spinal cord injury.
Wheelchair Ramps: Capital supports for home modifications, frequently funded alongside wheeled AT.
If you are not sure whether something would be approved, call us on 1300 479 111. Our team works with NDIS participants every day and can talk through what is likely to be funded under your plan.
Where Things Stand
The July 2026 changes are significant, but they are not a reason to panic. Your current plan stays in place until your next review and the NDIA is rolling this out gradually.
What matters now is preparation. If AT is a core part of your daily life, document your needs clearly, talk to your support coordinator and make sure your next plan review reflects what you actually use, not just what you have had before.
The NDIS is there to support your independence. The 2026 changes are designed to make that support more accurate, more consistent and more person-centered. The new framework should make it easier to get the equipment that makes a real difference.
