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NDIS Assistive Technology – Maintenance, Repair & Rental Explained

This support category is exactly what it sounds like: funding to keep your assistive technology working safely or to rent equipment for a short time. It is a specific part of your Capital Supports budget designed to ensure you aren’t left stranded if your wheelchair breaks or your hoist needs a service.

That usually means paying for regular servicing of your equipment, urgent repairs if something breaks or renting a trial device to see if it works for you before you buy it. It recognises that owning equipment is an ongoing responsibility, not just a one-off purchase.

This page explains what AT Maintenance – Repair & Rental is intended to help with, what it looks like in everyday life and how the funding usually works.

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What is Assistive Technology – Maintenance, Repair & Rental Support Under the NDIS?

This support sits within your Capital Supports budget and is intended to cover the ongoing costs of owning or using assistive technology.

In practical terms, this funds the upkeep of your equipment. It is different from buying the item itself. The NDIS separates this funding to ensure that even if you spend your budget on a new chair, for example, you still have money set aside to fix a flat tyre or service the motor later in the year.

Common examples of supports in this category include:

  • Regular Servicing: An annual safety check and service for your hoist or power wheelchair to prevent breakdowns.
  • Urgent Repairs: Fixing a broken charger, replacing a worn-out battery or repairing a cracked screen on a communication device.
  • Rentals: Renting a hospital bed while you are on holiday or renting a wheelchair for a few weeks to “trial” it before the NDIS agrees to buy it.
  • Tyre Replacement: Replacing worn tyres on a manual or power wheelchair.

In your NDIS plan and the myplace portal, this appears under the Capital Supports budget. It may be listed as a specific line item for AT Rental and Maintenance or included in your broader Assistive Technology budget.

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Who Benefits from Assistive Technology – Maintenance, Repair & Rental Supports?

This support is for you if you use any kind of assistive technology that can break, wear out or run out of charge. It ensures your safety and independence aren’t at risk if your device stops working.

This support may be a right for you if you:

  • Own a power wheelchair or scooter that needs annual servicing to stay safe.
  • Use a hoist or ceiling track system that legally requires regular safety checks.
  • Are trying out new equipment and need to rent it for a month to see if it meets your needs.
  • Are travelling and need to rent equipment (like a shower chair) at your destination because you can’t bring your own.
  • Have an older device that is starting to wear out and needs frequent minor repairs.

This funding is generally not for cosmetic repairs (like fixing a scratch on the paint) or for fixing damage caused by misuse (though accidental damage is usually covered).

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What Assistive Technology – Maintenance, Repair & Rental Supports Can Help With Day-to-Day

These supports provide peace of mind. The focus is on ensuring your equipment is reliable so you can get on with your life without worrying about a breakdown.

Depending on your arrangement, this support can help you with:

  • Preventing Breakdowns: Catching a loose bolt or a fraying wire during a service before it breaks and leaves you stranded.
  • Emergency Fixes: Paying for a technician to come out on a weekend to fix your bed so you can sleep safely.
  • Testing Options: Renting two different wheelchairs for a week each so you can decide which one is actually comfortable before you commit to a $15,000 purchase.
  • Bridge Funding: Renting a replacement device while your main one is being repaired.

The goal is continuity, to ensure that a mechanical failure doesn’t stop you from leaving the house or receiving care.

Common Questions About Assistive Technology Maintenance, Repair & Rental Support

Do I need a quote for repairs?

For minor repairs (under $1,500), you generally do not need a quote, you can just get it fixed and claim the invoice. For major repairs (over $1,500), the NDIS will usually ask for a quote to check if it is cheaper to repair or replace the item.

Many repair providers offer emergency after-hours service. You can use your NDIS funding to pay for the emergency call-out fee. If you cannot find a repairer, you may be able to rent a replacement item using your NDIS funds until Monday.

No. The NDIS generally does not fund private insurance premiums. Instead, the NDIS acts as the insurer because they will fund the repair if the item breaks or is accidentally damaged. However, this doesn’t cover theft or loss in the same way private insurance might, so some participants choose to pay for private insurance themselves.

Yes. These are considered maintenance items. If your wheelchair tyres wear out or your battery stops holding a charge, you can use your maintenance funding to replace them.

Yes. If you are going on holiday and need equipment (like a hoist or shower chair) that you can’t take with you, you can use your AT funding to rent it at your destination. This is considered a reasonable cost to allow you to participate in the community.

If an item keeps breaking, you should get a report from a repairer stating it is beyond economic repair. You can then use this evidence to ask the NDIS for funding to buy a new one. The NDIS won’t keep paying for repairs if a new item would be cheaper in the long run.