International purchases and the NDIS.

Here at Leap in! HQ we are regularly asked whether people on the NDIS can purchase products or services from overseas suppliers with their NDIS funds.

The answer is: maybe.

In some circumstances items or services may be purchased from overseas. However, it’s important to be really clear on the rules so any purchases meet NDIS requirements.

Today, we take a look at international purchases and how they work under the three different ways to manage an NDIS Plan.

What do we mean by international purchases?

Note that when talking about international purchases, we are referring to buying items from overseas companies. Examples include:

• Purchasing assistive technology online through a company based overseas
• Buying accessible clothing from an online store registered in another country
• Signing up for an online therapy session by a person located outside of Australia.

We are not referring to purchases related to overseas holidays or supports needed while a person is overseas.

International purchases and plan management.

The NDIS has recently tightened the rules around the information plan managers need to provide to process reimbursements. The rules are:

“Plan managers must provide the Australian Business Number (ABN) of the service provider who delivers the support for all payment requests.”

An ABN is a unique identification number that identifies a business for the purpose of ordering and invoicing.

For people who are plan managed, invoices for supports purchased with NDIS funds must include an ABN, unless a valid exemption applies. One of the valid exemptions is that the business is not conducted in Australia and therefore not entitled to an ABN.

How can someone who is plan managed claim purchases from overseas?

If the supplier does not have an ABN, purchases from an overseas provider can only be made with NDIS funds if the business or individual completes a Statement by a Supplier Form. The form is provided to the plan manager who must keep a copy on file.

It’s important to reach out to any overseas suppliers and get the form signed prior to making purchases from overseas companies without an ABN. Otherwise, the NDIS will not reimburse the expense.

Once the form has been provided, it is valid for five years.

How does it work for people who self manage?

People who self manage can purchase supports directly from a business or organisation, use self-employed contractors or directly employ staff.

If a business or contractor is located overseas and therefore is ineligible for an ABN, the same rules apply as for people who are plan managed.

Purchases can only be made with NDIS funds if the business or individual completes a Statement by a Supplier Form.

How can someone who is plan managed claim purchases from overseas?

If the supplier does not have an ABN, purchases from an overseas provider can only be made with NDIS funds if the business or individual completes a Statement by a Supplier Form. The form is provided to the plan manager who must keep a copy on file.

It’s important to reach out to any overseas suppliers and get the form signed prior to making purchases from overseas companies without an ABN. Otherwise, the NDIS will not reimburse the expense.

Once the form has been provided, it is valid for five years.

How does it work for people who self manage?

People who self manage can purchase supports directly from a business or organisation, use self-employed contractors or directly employ staff.

If a business or contractor is located overseas and therefore is ineligible for an ABN, the same rules apply as for people who are plan managed.

Purchases can only be made with NDIS funds if the business or individual completes a Statement by a Supplier Form.

International purchases and Agency management.

People who choose Agency management for their NDIS Plan must use NDIS registered providers. To become a registered provider, an organisation must have an ABN.

That means organisations based overseas cannot register, and people who are Agency managed cannot purchase supports from overseas companies.

Quick recap:

How Leap in! can help you make the most of your NDIS Plan.

Our experienced plan managers are here to answer your questions and provide support. Our award-winning plan management app makes it easy to manage your NDIS funding in real time, keep your spending on track and get alerts when you are underspending or overspending in any budget.

Call us on 1300 05 78 78 or sign up to Leap in! plan management today.

Further reading.

Questions we get asked the most about assistive technology.

NDIS Consumables budget guide 2021

How the Leap in! app can help you to keep track of your spending.