Step 5 – Reasonable and Necessary Supports

While thinking about supports, remember that NDIS supports must be:

‘reasonable and necessary’ for a person living with a disability to live an ‘ordinary life’

(we prefer the term meaningful life – who wants life to be ordinary!)

Reasonable means fair. Necessary means you really need it. The NDIS will give money for things that are fair and that you need to overcome to live your life.

To decide if a support is ‘reasonable and necessary’ the National Disability Insurance Agency look at:

  • How it relates to your psychosocial disability
  • How the day-to-day costs relate to your support needs
  • Value for money
  • How effective and useful it is 
  • What other supports you already have – from family, carers, mainstream services and community
  • Safety.

Don’t forget, everyone is different and so are their support needs. What is reasonable and necessary for you might not be the same for another person. If the National Disability Insurance Agency decides a support is not reasonable and necessary but you think it is, you should try to explain by answering the questions above. If you are still not happy with the decision you can appeal. Check out our information on making an appeal here.

To help support your application to the NDIS download the Reimagine Your Life Workbook

As you explore the 6 steps to accessing the NDIS, you will be guided to activities in the Reimagine Your Life Workbook, where you can complete questions and activities to support your application.

Co-designed with people living with mental health conditions and their support networks.
  • Produced by the

  • Funded by the

Accessing the ndis in 6 Steps.