What are NDIS Disability-Related Health Supports? 

Disability-related health supports are specific supports you may need to help manage a health condition because of your disability. They may also be needed if you can’t manage your own health condition on your own, due to the impact of your disability. 

These supports aren’t about general healthcare, like going to the hospital or seeing a GP. Those services are still covered by the regular health system. Instead, disability-related health supports are things the NDIS can fund to help you manage daily health needs that are directly linked to your disability. 

What types of supports are included?
Disability-related health supports can help in a range of areas, including: 

• Dysphagia – for participants who have trouble eating, drinking, or swallowing every day. 
• Respiratory – for people who need help with breathing or managing their respiratory health. This could include equipment, care plans, or daily support. 
• Nutrition – for those who need help with how they eat or understanding their specific food needs. 
• Diabetes – for people who need daily support to manage blood sugar levels. 
• Continence – for participants who need support with toileting or managing their bladder and bowel health. 
• Wound & Pressure Care – for daily care related to wounds or pressure areas, such as from swelling or being in the same position for long periods. 
• Podiatry – for help taking care of feet, ankles, and lower limbs. 
• Epilepsy – for people who need regular help managing how epilepsy affects their brain or nervous system. 

What does the NDIS fund? 
The NDIS funds 5 key types of disability-related health supports: 

1. Support from Disability Support Workers 
   This includes daily support activities (standard or high intensity) that can be delivered by trained support workers.  
2. Support from Therapists 
   This includes assessment, planning, and delivering supports by allied health professionals (like speech pathologists, dietitians or occupational therapists). Therapy supports must be approved by the NDIA.
3. Support from Nurses 
   Where nursing expertise is needed for assessments, plans, or daily supports, the NDIS can fund these using specific nursing support items. 
4. Consumables 
   This includes everyday items you use to manage a disability-related health condition, like continence products, wound dressings, or feeding equipment. 
5. Assistive Technology 
   These are devices or equipment that help you manage a disability-related health need, like respiratory machines or seizure monitors.

It’s important to know the NDIS does not replace the health system. Things like hospital stays, general medical treatment, or health supports unrelated to a person’s disability are still covered by mainstream health services (like Medicare or your state health department). 

You can find the full list of NDIS disability-health supports on their website. 

Need help? Chat with our team, we’re with you every step of the way.
Reach out through Live Chat, email [email protected] or call 1800 549 670.