NDIS Orders

Can I use NDIS funding?

As you may know, from 3rd October 2024 there is a new definition of NDIS supports.  This means that participants can only spend NDIS funding on things that are on the list of 'Supports that are NDIS Supports' OR are not on list of 'Supports that are not NDIS Supports'. 

The good news?  We recently spoke to the Legislation Team at the NDIS and after reviewing our products, they have said that most are considered 'Specialist Sensory Equipment' and can be purchased using funding only if:

  • the participant has a core budget, and
  • an Occupational Therapist has deemed it appropriate for the participant from a risk point of view, and
  • an Occupational Therapist has deemed it necessary for the participant for therapeutic and behaviour modifying benefits and therefore necessary for assisting the participant to reach their NDIS plan goals

This means that there should be no need to submit a ‘replacement support’ application for most of our products when purchasing them using NDIS funding, as long as the above criteria are met.  The purpose of a ‘replacement support’ application is to apply to the NDIS to fund supports that are not NDIS supports (like standard household items or standard furniture) with the intention of using the item or equipment instead of an NDIS support in your plan. 

Some products that we sell would be more common in most Australian households and can be bought off the shelf anywhere (such as our Round Gym Ball, Stretch Band and fidget toys), and would therefore be considered "standard household item" or "standard furniture" and would generally not be approved, even with a letter from your Occupational Therapist.

Here is a link to the NDIS website with more information. 

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As usual, the general guidelines for Assistive Technology still apply:

  • item must be considered “reasonable and necessary” and represent value for money
  • item must be related to your disability and NDIS goals (eg. "increase my independence to have more participation in social and community activities" or "manage my emotions and improve my relationships with my family and peers").

If you're still unsure, please get in touch with us and we can point your in the right direction.

How do I make an NDIS purchase?

SELF MANAGED PARTICIPANTS:

  • can make their own decision about their purchase and may choose to just keep their evidence on file for future reference, should they be requested to produce it.
  • if you're feeling unsure or are worried about having to pay the NDIS back, then you should seek approval first by sending an email to the NDIS (with the quote and OT letter attached) before making the purchase.
  • having said that, even if the NDIA does an audit and finds that the product/s was not appropriate and necessary for the participant (you will have a chance to produce a letter from your OT at that point), it is unlikely that they will issue a ‘debt’ to the participant as all of our products are under $1,500 and we were told by the Legislation Team that this is not the purpose of the new NDIS legislation.

If you're ready to go ahead with your self-managed purchase you can either:

1) Order online and pay now

    • you will automatically receive a PDF tax invoice from us via email showing that the order is paid in full (you may need to check your spam or junk folder)
    • you can then reimburse yourself in the next few days from your NDIS claim
2) Request an invoice and pay later
    • DO NOT COMPLETE AN EXPRESS CHECKOUT using Google Pay or Apple Pay.  Also, make sure you are logged out of your 'Shop' account before going through the checkout process.During checkout, scroll down and choose the payment option "Request Invoice - pay within 21 days".
    • Scroll up and complete all fields like name, phone number and address etc.
    • If you require the invoice to include the NDIS participant's name and NDIS number, then please enter these in the "Company" field in the shipping address.
    • Once you finalise your online order you will automatically receive a tax invoice from us (you may need to check your spam or junk folder) which you can keep on file.
    • Submit your own NDIS claim, then do a bank transfer to us in a few days to complete your order.
    • NOTE: The invoice is valid for 21 days and only becomes an active order once payment has been received into our bank account

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PLAN MANAGED PARTICIPANTS:

  • should include a letter from their Occupational Therapist along with the invoice when they submit it to their Plan Manager.
  • the letter should state that this product (specifically) is appropriate for the participant from a risk point of view, AND is necessary for the participant for therapeutic and behaviour modifying benefits and therefore necessary for assisting the participant to reach their NDIS plan goals.
  • should also keep in mind that the Plan Manager cannot approve or decline the purchase of Sensory Equipment as they are not qualified to do so. The participant (or a representative) can advocate for themselves and remind the Plan Manager of this.

To request an invoice and submit it to your Plan Manager:
    • DO NOT COMPLETE AN EXPRESS CHECKOUT using Google Pay or Apple Pay.  Also, make sure you are logged out of your 'Shop' account before going through the checkout process.
    • During checkout, scroll down and choose the payment option "Request Invoice - pay within 21 days".
    • Scroll up and complete all fields like name, phone number and address etc.
    • If you require the invoice to include the NDIS participant's name and NDIS number, then please enter these in the "Company" field in the shipping address.
    • Once you finalise your online order you will automatically receive a PDF tax invoice from us via email (you may need to check your spam or junk folder).
    • Submit the invoice to your Plan Manager.  Once the Plan Manager processes the payment to us then we will confirm your order and dispatch it.
    • NOTE: The invoice is valid for 21 days and only becomes an active order once payment has been received into our bank account 

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AGENCY MANAGED PARTICIPANTS:

Unfortunately we cannot help you with purchasing therapeutic resources if your budget is NDIA (Agency) managed. As we are a small a family business, we have chosen to not register with the NDIA at this time. For those that are NDIA managed, we welcome private purchases and consider our products to be very reasonably priced.

 

What about other NDIS changes?

  • Likely that most service and support providers will now be required to be NDIS registered based on the risk level (the taskforce recommended 4 types of registration from advanced to basic), however this does not apply to Sensory Super Heroes as we fall into a 5th type where no registration is required as we are a mainstream retailer of goods.
  • Likely that participants will be asked to reprove their disability to determine they need NDIS supports (called a reassessment) - most likely in 2025.
  • Likely changes to who is eligible to join the scheme (new participants only).