We’ve recently had a number of NDIS participants tell us they have been advised by their Plan Manager that they must personally pay the freight when purchasing an NDIS-funded Assistive Technology product.

This has prompted us to take a closer look at the current NDIS rules.

Is freight automatically the participant’s responsibility?

Not necessarily.

The current NDIS 2026–27 Pricing Schedule includes specific “Assistive Technology Delivery” support items covering delivery associated with a range of Assistive Technology categories.

This means it is important not to assume that all AT freight must automatically be paid by the participant.

Whether a particular delivery cost can be claimed will depend on the product, the applicable AT category and the NDIS claiming requirements.

Why does this matter?

For many participants, delivery isn't an optional extra.

A participant may:

• live in regional or remote Australia
• be unable to drive
• be unable to collect a bulky product
• have no suitable local supplier
• need the product delivered directly to their home.

In these circumstances, delivery may be essential to accessing the Assistive Technology in the first place.

And this raises an important question:

If the participant has the choice to select an appropriate NDIS-funded product, but cannot reasonably access that product without delivery, should freight automatically become an out-of-pocket expense?

We don't believe this question should be answered with a blanket “participants pay their own freight” policy.

What should participants ask?

If you are told that you must personally pay the freight for an NDIS-funded AT purchase, ask:

“Can you please explain why the delivery cost cannot be claimed?”

And:

“Can you please provide the specific NDIS rule or pricing provision that says I must pay this cost personally?”

There is an important difference between an NDIS requirement and an individual organisation's policy or interpretation.

What about suppliers?

At disAbility Equip Online, we believe freight should be transparent and reasonable.

Where we arrange delivery, our approach is to pass on the actual freight cost rather than add a freight margin.

We also believe participants and Plan Managers should have access to clear information about how delivery costs are treated under the current NDIS framework.

Choice and control should include the ability to access the support that has been identified as appropriate — not simply the ability to choose it.

Have you been told that you must personally pay the freight for an NDIS-funded Assistive Technology product?

We'd like to hear about your experience. Understanding what participants and Plan Managers are being told can help create greater clarity around this issue.

This article is provided for information only and is not NDIS, legal or financial advice. Individual claiming eligibility depends on the participant's circumstances, the product and current NDIS requirements.