Once you have funding for vehicle modifications or other supports included in your plan, you can start using these supports. Talk to your my NDIS contact or support coordinator about the next steps.
You can also refer to What do you need to do before you buy your assistive technology? and our factsheet Understanding assistive technology evidence, advice, assessments and quotes .
Your funding will be in different budgets in your plan, depending on the type of support.
If you have any questions, please contact us . If your needs change, remember you can talk to us at any time or ask for a change to your plan. Learn more about changing your plan.
Funding to explore vehicle modifications and specialised driver training
If you have funding to explore what vehicle modification supports you need, this means you can get help from a suitably qualified assessor to:
- help you trial the equipment you need to make sure it’s the best fit for your needs
- recommend equipment that will meet your needs
- give us evidence or an assessment and quotes if you need high cost vehicle modifications.
If a low cost assistive technology solution will help with your vehicle access needs, your assessor or advisor can help you:
- choose and buy the right equipment once the funding has been approved
- set up the equipment
- learn how to use the equipment.
Funding for low cost assistive technology
If your vehicle is older than 5 years and no longer under warranty, you can also use this funding for one inspection for a vehicle condition report. This will confirm your vehicle is safe and reliable for daily use, and suitable to modify.
Although you can buy some low cost equipment without an assessment from your occupational therapist, you need to get their advice for your safety.
However, there are some types of low cost equipment that legally require a driver-trained occupational therapy assessment. For example, manual spinner knobs are low cost, but you need a driver-trained occupational therapist assessment to make sure they are safe and appropriate for you.
You can give us a copy of any written advice you get. You don’t need further approvals from us to get low cost assistive technology based on your occupational therapist’s advice if you have funds in your budget.
You can refer to our factsheet Understanding assistive technology evidence, advice, assessments and quotes .
Funding for mid and high cost vehicle modifications
If you have funding for mid and high cost vehicle modifications, we’ll specify this in your plan. You may also receive funding for repair and maintenance of your vehicle modifications.
Instructions and guidance for you and your carers to use any new modifications is usually provided by the licensed vehicle modifier. If you need more detailed training from a driver-trained occupational therapist, funding will be included in your plan.
Funding for extra insurance costs
If you have funding to help with extra insurance costs because of your vehicle modifications, we’ll specify this in your plan.
What happens if your vehicle modification costs change?
Sometimes the amount of funding you need for your vehicle modifications or specialised driver training may change after your funding is approved. We can consider increasing the funding in your plan if:
- the support is not available at the same cost as expected in the plan
- the support is not available in the same way expected in the plan
- there is extra, unexpected information needed for the support to be provided, such as quotes, assessments, services or materials.
To find out more about changing your plan for a minor variation, go to Changing your plan.