If getting in the front door or using your own bathroom has become a daily struggle, home modifications might be one of the most overlooked parts of your NDIS plan. Here's what's actually covered and what the approval process looks like.
Minor vs major modifications
Minor modifications (grab rails, small ramps, lever taps) are usually straightforward and don't always need a full assessment. Major modifications (walk-in showers, doorway widening, stairlifts) typically need an occupational therapist assessment and a licensed builder's quote before the NDIA will approve funding.
What's actually covered
- Ramps for entry and exit
- Bathroom modifications: showers, toilets, non-slip flooring
- Handrails and grab rails throughout the home
- Doorway and hallway widening for wheelchair access
- Kitchen modifications in some circumstances
The approval process, step by step
First, an OT assessment establishes what you need and why. Then a licensed builder provides a formal quote. Both go to the NDIA together as part of a funding request. Once approved, the work gets scheduled. This whole process typically takes weeks rather than days, so it pays to start early if you know changes are coming.
Renting complicates things, but doesn't rule it out
If you're renting, you'll usually need written landlord consent before any modification work starts. It's worth raising this early, since some landlords need convincing that changes can be reversed at the end of a tenancy.
Getting the paperwork right the first time
Most delays happen because the initial assessment or quote doesn't match what the NDIA needs to see. Our home modifications service handles the OT assessment, quote, and paperwork together, coordinated with our allied health team, so nothing gets sent back for corrections.