What Are Replacement Supports, Anyway? Here’s the Simple Version

We’ve had a few chats in the Kindship community recently about replacement supports—and wow, it can be confusing if no one’s explained it before! One parent told us they thought it meant they had to apply to replace something they already had, like an old printer that broke. Totally understandable (and honestly, that sounds logical)… but that’s not what the NDIS means when they talk about replacement supports.

So, what does it actually mean? Let’s break it down in plain English.

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The Simple Explanation

When the NDIS talks about replacement supports, they don’t mean replacing a broken item with a new one. What they’re really talking about is replacing the type of support you’re getting with something else that achieves the same thing—but in a different way.

For example:
Let’s say your child’s therapist usually prints out visual aids for sessions. Instead of paying the therapist to do that every time (which can be $$$), you might apply to get a printer at home. That way, you can print the visuals yourself, and it saves money in the long run.

Basically, you’re replacing a human service with a piece of equipment or item that can do the job just as well (or better), and more cost-effectively.

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So… Can I Just Buy Whatever I Want?

Not exactly. The NDIS is pretty clear about what they’ll fund. Replacement supports usually need to:
✔️ Be considered reasonable and necessary
✔️ Be linked to a support you already have in your plan
✔️ Help you achieve the same goal as the original support

This is where things like tablets, headphones, or even something like a robot vacuum might come in—if you can show they’ll replace or reduce the need for a funded support.

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What About Evidence?

Here’s where it gets a bit tricky:
Technically, the form says you don’t need to provide extra assessments or reports to apply for a replacement support. BUT in reality? It’s really helpful to have a therapist’s letter or some kind of supporting evidence that explains why the item is needed and how it will replace the existing support. It just makes the process smoother and gives your request a better chance of being approved.

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How to Apply

If you think a replacement support might help your family, you’ll need to fill out the Replacement Support Request Form (available on the NDIS website). You can submit it via email, post, or drop it off in person.

👉 Check out the form here: ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/funding

And if you want help filling it out, you can always contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

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It’s no wonder this stuff gets confusing—so many of us have been there! Hopefully this clears things up a bit. And remember, if something still doesn’t make sense, you can always reach out to the Kindship community (or your plan manager) for a bit of guidance. 💛

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