This blog covers the most controversial topic of the year:
“What NDIS Does Not Fund?”
The Media and Fraud Investigation team has uncovered many reports of NDIS funding being spent on everyday items, personal holidays, and non-scientific therapies.
List of Expenses That Cannot Be Covered by NDIS Funds
Below is the list of items the NDIS will not support through NDIS Funding.
These items have been listed based on monthly expenses, day-to-day expenses, income replacement, illegality, posing a risk to other people, harming NDIS Participants, and duplicating the support provided by the NDIS under alternative funding.
1. Personal Living Expenses
House
Food & Groceries
Clothes
2. Travel and Transportation
Travel & Transportation to education or training on your own or via public transport
Buses, Trains, and Trams
Transport for Pets and Companion Animals
3. Pet-Related Costs
Pets
Transport for Pets and Companion Animals
4. Healthcare-Related Costs
Ambulance Service
Hospital Mental Health Services
Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems
Medicines
5. Personal Services
Hair Cut
Makeup and Beauty Products
Beauty Treatments & Other Body Treatments Unrelated to Disability
6. Utilities and Bills
Gas/Petrol
Any Type of Bills
7. Educational Expenses
School Fees, Uniforms, and Books
University Fees and Tuition Fees
Institution Fees
8. Employment-Related Costs
Disability Employment Services
Items Needed for Work
Modifications for Workplace Access
9. Social and Family Services
Marriage Counselling and Babysitters
Programs for Parents
Childcare Services
The responsibility of another government system or community services
10. Housing and Infrastructure
Homes and Services for Those Without a Place to Live
Infrastructure Modifications for Easier Mobility in Non-Private Residences
11. Personal Interests
Sex Work
Tarot Reading
Non-scientific Therapies & Workshops
Other non-disability related hobbies
Key Takeaways
- NDIS funds are strictly for disability-related support, not personal or general living expenses.
- Expenses such as rent, groceries, and non-disability-related healthcare costs are prohibited.
- Travel, educational, and employment-related costs outside of disability needs are also restricted.
- Sex Services & Sex Work is not an NDIS Support.
- NDIS funding is not an income replacement.
- NDIS will not fund duplicates of other support provided by the NDIS under alternative funding.
- NDIS will not fund if it will likely cause you harm or put other people at risk.
- Understanding these restrictions helps avoid accidental misuse of funds.
- NDIS will not fund non-ongoing conditions or temporary fractures or diseases.
Why Are These Expenses Restricted?
Initially, NDIA never funded these items.
However, the services purchased through the NDIS fund were blurred over time.
Due to NDIS Participants being unsure about where to spend NDIS funds, The number of debts on NDIS Participants was increasing, and the number of suicides was increasing.
People were relying heavily on platforms like Facebook or Reddit in the hope of getting correct information.
NDIA representatives also provide different explanations on the same topic. According to a recent media report, nine providers will receive 7 million in 2023 for delivering luxury holiday & overseas holiday services under Short-Term Accommodation to NDIS Participants.
There is only to the extent a scam can be investigated, or people could be blamed for their mistakes.
The best solution was to introduce a list of what supports can be funded and not funded.
Alternatives and Additional Support
Only some people can become eligible for NDIS Funding. Often, people get rejected by NDIA.
NDIA supports people who are not eligible to receive NDIS funding. Click on the LINK .
You can challenge the decision once the review is complete.
NDIS is for people who have a permanent disability and require support to become independent in future.
NDIS is not a lifetime scheme
Conclusion
- Always share your NDIS Plan with the provider so they can evaluate and provide support according to your NDIS Plan and listed items. If you receive support that is not meant to be provided, it may pose a challenge to you and the provider and end up in a legal battle with NDIS.
- Always get a Service Agreement signed with your provider. This will be legal evidence of receiving services and will keep you safe in the future.
- If your provider does not respect your right to choose and control your support and is pressuring you to receive all support from a single company or their acquaintances, remember that you have the power to change them and report their actions. This is your NDIS Plan, and you can manage it as you see fit. If your provider needs to provide you with the correct information on NDIS, immediately change them and report them to NDIS.
- If you need legal and correct information on NDIS Short-Term Accommodation, you can always contact us at hello@carewithus.com.au
If you need a sample of the Service Agreement, please contact us at hello@carewithus.com.au
NDIS Respite/STA Organiser & Planner in Victoria
I hold a Master’s degree from the University of Melbourne and have dedicated my career to supporting NDIS participants. With extensive experience in providing Respite and Short-Term Accommodation services, this journey has been both personally and professionally enriching. It has allowed me to meet remarkable individuals within the NDIS community and continuously learn and grow alongside them.