Struggling to figure out if your purchase meets the NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist requirements? Many NDIS participants find it hard to determine if their desired supports qualify as ‘reasonable and necessary’ under their funding plan.

 

The rules about NDIS funding can feel overwhelming. The NDIS wants all purchases to give good value for money. Your supports must clearly link to your plan goals, like better communication or more social participation. NDIS funding has strict limits – regular personal costs such as groceries and housing aren’t covered.

 

Your spending decisions carry serious risks. The wrong purchase that’s not in your NDIS plan might force you to return the money. The NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist is a great way to get clarity. This tool helps you check if a purchase meets all criteria before spending your funds.

 

This articl breaks down every question on the checklist. You’ll learn how to apply it to real-life cases, including laptop purchases with NDIS funding. We’ll guide you through those challenging moments that make you unsure about spending decisions.

Understanding the NDIS ‘Can I Buy It?’ Checklist

The NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist makes complex funding decisions easier. This practical tool helps you make smart choices about your NDIS plan funding.

What is the checklist used for?

This checklist helps you decide what your NDIS funding can buy while meeting all compliance requirements. You’ll find it’s a user-friendly version of the NDIS self-management guide that turns complex funding rules into simple questions. Your potential purchases need a YES answer to all checklist questions. If not, you should look at other options.

Most people know this tool as the “Self Management checklist.” The checklist gives you clear direction when spending decisions seem unclear.

Why it matters for NDIS participants

Wrong spending choices can hit your wallet hard. The checklist states it clearly: “I am responsible for showing that the purchase meets the Reasonable and Necessary criteria. If the NDIS determines that it doesn’t, I know that I may have to pay the money back”.

The checklist brings certainty to an increasingly structured system. Over the last several years, plans have become more defined. A well-laid-out framework lets you spend with confidence.

How it helps with funding decisions

Complex funding rules become simple yes-or-no questions anyone can answer. Instead of reading through legislation, you just need to check if your support:

 

• Links to your NDIS goals
• Gives good value for money
• Stays within your budget
• Helps you connect with community
• Falls under NDIS funding rather than other government services
• Remains safe and legal to use

The checklist also helps track your funding throughout your plan. You’ll learn to watch your budget early, which means your funding will last the entire plan period. This method lets you make smart choices about changing your supports during your plan.

Breaking Down the Checklist Questions

The NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist has specific questions that help you figure out if your purchase qualifies for funding. Let’s get into what these questions mean and how you can answer them correctly.

Is the item linked to your NDIS goals?

Your NDIS plan outlines specific goals, and all supports must help with your disability and these goals. Just setting a goal doesn’t mean you’ll get funding for everything related to it. The NDIS reviews if the support helps you overcome disability-related barriers that stop you from reaching your goals. Before you buy something, ask yourself: “How will this help me achieve the goals in my current plan?”

Does it offer value for money?

Value for money means more than picking the cheapest option. The NDIS looks at several factors:

• Whether other supports could do the same job for less money
• How the support will make your life better in the long run
• Ways it might cut other support costs later
• If the cost matches similar supports near you
• Whether it helps you become more independent

The NDIS looks at both short-term and long-term benefits compared to costs.

Can you afford it within your budget?

You need to make your funding last through your entire plan. Core budget funds usually work across support categories, but there are some exceptions. These include compensation, Specialised Disability Accommodation, in-kind supports, and stated items. Capacity Building funding splits into eight sub-categories that stay separate. Capital Support budgets only cover specific things like assistive technology.

Is it something the NDIS should fund?

The NDIS won’t pay for regular living costs, anything illegal, or supports that other government systems should cover. Yes, it is important that all supports meet NDIS funding rules before they go into your plan.

Is it safe and legal to use?

Australian laws and regulations apply to everyone using NDIS funds. The support must be safe and not put anyone at risk. You’re responsible for making sure supports help with your disability and match your plan.

Applying the Checklist to Real-Life Scenarios

The NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist helps you understand which supports qualify for funding in different categories, including NDIS consumables. Let’s get into how this works in real-life situations you might face.

Assistive technology and equipment

The NDIS funds mobility aids, wheelchairs, and assistive devices that directly connect to your disability needs. Allied health professionals must assess and approve home modifications like ramps or bathroom renovations to prove they’re reasonable and needed. Communication tools get funding if they help achieve your plan’s goals. The NDIS groups all assistive technology into two categories: “low risk” items that you can buy from stores and are unlikely to cause harm, and “higher risk” items that need professional setup and could be potentially harmful.

Therapies and skill-building sessions

Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological supports get funding when they line up with your plan’s goals. The NDIS usually approves skill-building sessions for cooking, social skills, or community participation that directly connect to your disability and goals. Healthcare professionals need to provide more evidence and justification for alternative therapies like music or art therapy.

Transport and driving lessons

The NDIS gives transport funding at three levels:

• Level 1: AUD 2,727.72 yearly for participants enhancing community access
• Level 2: AUD 4,091.58 yearly for part-time work/study (up to 15 hours weekly)
• Level 3: AUD 5,284.19 yearly for those working/studying 15+ hours weekly

Your NDIS plan might cover driving lessons under Capacity Building if they connect to independence goals and disability-specific needs, especially when you need extra support compared to non-disabled learners.

Support workers and daily assistance

Core supports form the foundation of NDIS offerings for bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and household chores. Your assessed needs and goals determine the funding for community access support that helps you attend appointments, work, and social activities.

Can I buy a laptop with NDIS funding?

The NDIS doesn’t automatically cover laptops but might fund them (up to AUD 1,146.74) under specific conditions. You need to show that:

• The device addresses challenges from your disability
• It supports specific goals in your NDIS plan (education, employment, communication)
• It gives better value compared to other options
• Professional documentation proves you need it

Regular laptops for everyday use don’t qualify since they count as normal expenses.

What to Do When You’re Unsure

You might still feel unsure about some purchases even after checking the Can I Buy It Checklist. The good news is that you can find help from several resources to make smart decisions about your NDIS funding.

Using the NDIS eligibility checklist

The NDIS eligibility requirements should be your first stop if you’re not sure an item qualifies for funding. The official NDIS eligibility checklist helps you confirm if you:

• Are aged between 9 and 65
• Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder
• Live in Australia
• Have a disability caused by a permanent impairment
• Need disability-specific supports for daily activities regularly

This checklist forms the foundation of what NDIS covers at its core. Your purchase will likely meet funding criteria if it lines up with these basic principles.

Asking your planner or support coordinator

Your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) can give you clear answers if you’re still unsure. They know all about:

• Current funding rules and restrictions
• How rules apply to your specific case
• Other options if your desired purchase doesn’t qualify

Support organisations say it best: “If you’re still in doubt, contact your NDIS planner or LAC. They can advise if the purchase lines up with your specific plan”.

Getting written quotes and documentation

You should get these items before making any major purchase:

1. Detailed written quotes that break down all costs
2. Provider documents that explain how the service helps your NDIS goals
3. Professional assessments (where needed) that show why it’s necessary

“When talking to a provider, ask for a quote to show the cost breakdown. Also ask for some kind of written documentation on how this service will support you and help achieve your NDIS plan goals”. This evidence helps if questions come up later.

Understanding the NDIS compliance checklist

The NDIS compliance checklist is different from the Can I Buy It Checklist. The Can I Buy It Checklist helps you decide on purchases. The compliance checklist makes sure providers meet quality and safety requirements. Understanding both helps you pick qualified providers who give appropriate support within funding guidelines.

Conclusion

The NDIS Can I Buy It Checklist guides you through funding decisions. It protects your financial interests and maximises your support options.

Your purchases must directly connect to your disability-specific needs and plan goals. These supports should represent good value for money and fit within your budget constraints. They must also fall under NDIS funding responsibilities rather than other government systems. For a complete list of NDIS disabilities, you can refer to official NDIS resources.

 

This checklist serves as your first line of defence when you’re unsure about potential purchases. NDIS requirements have become more structured over the last several years. This systematic approach helps you make confident spending decisions and avoid pitfalls that might require repayment. 

 

Your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator remains your best resource for complex situations. Of course, gathering proper documentation and professional assessments builds your case if questions come up about specific purchases.

 

The checklist does more than ensure compliance—it gives you a framework to make informed choices about supports that improve your quality of life. You can manage your NDIS funding confidently with this knowledge and focus on what truly matters—achieving your personal goals and aspirations. These decisions strengthen your independence and community participation.