Consumables

What are NDIS consumables?

NDIS consumables are everyday products a participant uses up and replaces regularly because of their disability, such as continence products, and low-cost assistive technology. They are funded from the Consumables category of the core supports budget. To be funded, an item must relate to the participant's disability and meet the reasonable and necessary criteria.

In a plan, the line is usually shown as "Core – Consumables". It is one of the core support categories, alongside others such as assistance with daily life and social, economic and community participation. The NDIA's guide to using your funding describes core as the budget for everyday activities and products, including purchases such as continence aids.

What consumables funding covers

The Consumables category covers two broad groups of products:

• Disability-related everyday products that are used up, such as continence products (pads, catheters, related supplies), some nutrition products and feeding supplies, and similar items needed because of the disability.
• Low-cost assistive technology: equipment under the NDIA's lowest per-item cost threshold, such as shower stools, non-slip mats, adapted cutlery or dressing aids. The NDIA publishes the current threshold on its low-cost assistive technology page.

The test for any item is whether it is needed because of the participant's disability, rather than being something everyone buys. A continence pad for someone with a disability-related continence need is a consumable; toilet paper, soap and groceries are everyday living costs.

Since the NDIS Act changes of October 2024, the law lists what is and isn't an NDIS support (NDIA summary of legislation changes). If you aren't sure whether a product counts, ask the NDIA before you buy.

How consumables funding works

Consumables funding is usually flexible. Core budgets are generally the most flexible part of a plan: where categories share a management type, money can usually be used across them, so you're not locked into the consumables sub-total. A few items may be stated in your plan, which means they can only be used as described.

How you buy depends on how your plan is managed:

1. NDIA-managed: buy from registered providers, who claim from the NDIA.
2. Plan-managed: buy from registered or unregistered suppliers and send the invoice to your plan manager.
3. Self-managed: buy from any supplier, keep receipts, and claim through the my NDIS portal or app.

Many plans now release funding in funding periods, often every three months. Bulk-buying a year of continence products at once may not be possible if only one period's funds are available, so plan orders around the release schedule. The free NDIS budget tracker shows whether your consumables spending is on track.

2026 changes to keep in mind

From 1 October 2026 the NDIA is reducing budgets for two support categories, social, economic and community participation and improved daily living skills, as plans are created or reassessed (NDIA news). Consumables is not one of the two categories named. However, because core funding is often used flexibly, a smaller community participation budget may leave less room to cover overspending elsewhere in core, so track consumables separately.

From 1 February 2027, unspent funds from a previous plan won't carry over into a renewed plan. If you have been building a buffer of consumables money, it won't roll forward, so order based on actual need.

Consumables vs assistive technology vs capital

People often ask why a shower chair comes from consumables but a wheelchair comes from capital. The answer is cost and risk: low-cost AT is funded with consumables for speed and flexibility, while mid- and high-cost AT needs professional evidence and is usually funded in the capital supports budget.

Continence products, shared homes and support workers

Continence products are the most common consumables purchase. A continence nurse or other suitably qualified health professional can assess what products suit the person and how many are needed. That assessment isn't always required, but it is strong evidence of what is reasonable and necessary, especially if usage changes or the NDIA asks why spending has gone up.

In shared homes, remember that Supported Independent Living (SIL) funds support, not products. Each resident's continence aids and other consumables are bought from that resident's own consumables budget, not pooled across the house. Providers should keep stock separate and labelled so each person's purchases match their own plan.

Support workers are often the first to notice when supplies are running low or when a product isn't working, such as skin irritation or leaks. A short note in the shift record and a message to the coordinator means the order can be changed before it becomes a health issue.

Consumables at plan reassessment

At a plan reassessment, the NDIA looks at what you have spent and what you need next. To make sure your consumables funding matches your needs:

• Bring a summary of what you bought and roughly how often, using receipts or plan manager statements.
• Explain any changes, such as new continence needs, growth in a child, or new low-cost AT recommended by a therapist.
• Include reports from health professionals where they recommend specific products or quantities.
• If funding runs short mid-plan because your needs have changed, ask the NDIA about a plan change rather than going without.

What suppliers and providers should know

• Check the management type before supplying: NDIA-managed participants can only use registered providers.
• Itemise invoices so plan managers and participants can see each product and match it to the right support item in the NDIS pricing arrangements.
• Don't upsell. Products must relate to the disability and be good value, and every provider must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct.
• Know the low-cost AT limit. If an item is above it, the participant needs assessor evidence and usually capital funding.
• Support workers and SIL providers should flag when stock such as continence aids is running low, so orders can be placed within the participant's budget.

Common mistakes

• "Consumables means anything I use up." Only disability-related items are funded; everyday living costs aren't.
• Buying above the low-cost AT threshold from consumables. Items above it need evidence and usually capital funding.
• Running out late in the plan because a large order early used most of the budget, or a funding period's money was spent ahead of schedule.
• No receipts. Self-managed participants must keep records of what they bought and why.
• Assuming the health system and NDIS overlap. Medicines and health-related products are usually funded by health, not the NDIS.