When it comes to getting the most out of your NDIS Plan, understanding the different budgets and what they can cover is really important.
You may recall there are four main budget areas – Core, Capital, Capacity Building and Recurring. In this article, we take a closer look at NDIS Consumables, which are funded in the Core supports budget.
NDIS Consumables funds the purchase of ‘reasonable and necessary’ everyday items required to manage your personal disability-related needs. Most of these items will be readily available from a store or online.
3 things you need to know about the NDIS Consumables budget.
It’s for items that cost less than $1,500. Your NDIS Consumables budget can be used to purchase items valued at up to $1500. This may include single-use items such as absorbent pads, eating aids like modified cups, assistive technology such as walking aids and some personal care items.
It’s flexible. The best part about the Consumables budget is that it’s generally flexible. Once an amount is allocated in your plan, you can choose how you spend it, providing it’s an NDIS support for you, relates to your disability support needs and meets the reasonable and necessary test. Note: some NDIS Plans may list specific categories or itemised line items under Core supports, which can affect flexibility.
You don’t need quotes or approvals for most purchases. As most consumables are considered low-cost and low-risk, you usually don’t need prior approval or quotes if you purchase consumables in line with your plan.
NDIS Consumables examples.
Some examples of the things you might be able to purchase with your NDIS Consumables budget are listed below. Whether they’re covered depends on your individual circumstances.
- Continence products (subject to meeting the age requirements)
- Catheters
- Absorbent products and pads
- Disability-related wound and skincare
- Pumps and syringes for home enteral nutrition purposes
- Food preparation products
- Modified eating aids
- Personal care and safety products
- Auslan or signed English training
- Telephone or video interpreting
- Vision or hearing-related low cost assistive technology.
What the NDIS won’t fund.
Your NDIS Consumables budget can’t be used for everyday items that aren’t directly related to our disability needs.
The NDIS won’t fund:
- General groceries including food and household cleaning products
- Prescription and non-prescription medicines
- Weight loss products, vitamins, sport and athletic supplements
- Toiletries or cosmetics
- Standard household items, appliances, tools and products including non-modified utensils, electric toothbrushes and bedding
- Standard (non-modified and non-adaptive) clothing and footwear.
For the full list, see the NDIS guideline on What the NDIS doesn’t fund.
Can I buy nappies with NDIS Consumables funding?
Yes, but only in certain circumstances. If nappies are required solely and directly because of your disability, are needed regularly and represent value for money, you may be able to use your NDIS Consumables budget. The NDIS won’t fund nappies if they are related to a health condition rather than a disability.
- Children under five: Nappies, wipes and similar items are considered everyday family costs. Funding may only be available if the child has a disability with higher needs than other children their age or requires continence supports such as urinary catheters.
- Children aged five and over: As most children are toilet trained by this age, funding may be available if continence products are still needed because of a developmental delay or disability.
For more details, check out Early childhood continence consumables.
Does Consumables funding cover vitamins and medications?
No. The NDIS does not usually fund everyday vitamins, medicines or prescription medications. Supports for health issues unrelated to a disability – such as eating disorders or food allergies – are not covered either.
However, you may be able to claim nutritional supplements, thickeners or Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) items if they’re prescribed by a professional and directly related to your disability.
Where to buy Consumables products.
Consumables can be purchased from retail shops such as chemists, supermarkets and hardware stores or online.
Leap in! also has several provider partners that specialise in Consumables including:
- Mable Direct: provides participants, support workers and coordinators direct access to affordable consumables, equipment and wearables to support everyday needs
- Aleva® Australia: a company dedicated to providing technically advanced, high quality, affordable products for incontinence and kid’s bedwetting
- National Australian Necessity Supplies (NAN): one of Australia’s top suppliers of children’s nappies, adult continence, wet wipes, gloves and paper products
- Surgical House: offers a full range of medical consumables, medical equipment and patient care equipment.
How to purchase Consumables.
NDIS Consumables providers can be registered or unregistered.
- Plan managed or self-managed participants can purchase from any provider (including regular shops and online stores).
- NDIA-managed participants can only purchase consumables from NDIS registered providers.
Items under $1,500 do not require a quote. However:
- For low cost assistive technology (AT), the NDIS recommends getting advice from an AT advisor.
- For higher-risk low cost AT, you will need written advice from an assistive technology assessor, even if the item is under $1,500.
For information about claiming or payment processes, see our related article Claiming for consumables and low-cost AT.
Leap in! can help.
If you have any more questions about Consumables and the NDIS or would like support preparing for your NDIS Plan meeting, we’re here to help. Call us on 1300 05 78 78 or email [email protected].
Further reading.
- NDIS Plan budget categories explained.
- Core supports budget: A closer look.
- Top 5 reasons why people don’t spend their NDIS budget.
Originally published 12 February 2020, updated 4 November 2021, 27 April 2022, 15 August 2022, 5 January 2023 and 25 September 2025.
