An NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment can feel unfamiliar when you do not know what the assessor will ask or what happens next.
It is not a test. It is a practical conversation about the tasks you find difficult, your goals and whether equipment could help you manage daily activities more safely or independently.
This guide explains how to prepare, what happens during the appointment, how equipment trials work and what comes after the report.
What Is an NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment?
The assessment looks at your disability-related needs and whether equipment could support you in daily life. The assessor considers the activities you want to complete, the barriers you face and where the item will be used.
Assistive technology can include mobility equipment, bathroom aids, seating, communication devices and other items that help with tasks affected by disability.
A general assistive technology assessment should cover your goals, equipment you have used before, other supports, trial outcomes where relevant and the expected cost of the recommended item. The evidence required depends on the cost and risk of the equipment.
How to Prepare for Your NDIS AT Assessment
You do not need to arrive with a product already chosen. Start by thinking about the problem you want the equipment to solve.
Before the appointment, note down:
- Tasks that are difficult, painful or unsafe
- When and where you need help
- Equipment you have tried before
- What worked and what did not
- Changes in your mobility or routine
- NDIS goals connected to the equipment
Bring relevant documents if available, such as your NDIS plan, recent reports, quotes, photographs or measurements of the space.
You can ask whether a family member, carer or support coordinator can attend when their input would help. The discussion should still reflect your goals and preferences.
What Happens During the Assessment?
The appointment varies depending on the equipment. A wheelchair assessment will look different from an assessment for a shower chair or communication device.
A Conversation About Your Daily Life
The assessor will ask what you want to do more easily, safely or independently. The discussion could cover personal care, cooking, transfers, communication, sleep, work, study or community access.
Describe what happens on easier and harder days. If pain, fatigue, sensory needs or concentration affect the activity, explain how often this occurs and what support you need.
Specific examples help. Instead of saying, “The bathroom is difficult,” explain that you need help standing after a shower.
A Functional Assessment
The assessment may include observing how you complete an activity connected to the equipment, such as standing from a chair, transferring into a shower or moving through a doorway.
The aim is to identify where the difficulty occurs and which features could improve safety or independence.
For example, when considering a shower chair, an occupational therapist might review the bathroom layout and the assistance you need before comparing chair heights, armrests or transfer options.
A Review of Your Environment
Equipment needs to work where you will use it. Depending on the item and service arrangements, parts of the assessment may happen at home or in another relevant environment.
The therapist might review available space, flooring, storage, power access and whether carers can use the item safely.
NDIS guidance recognises that equipment may need to be trialled in a participant’s home or community to identify the most suitable option.
This is why NDIS occupational therapy in Adelaide sometimes involves appointments outside a clinic.
A Discussion of Suitable Options
The assessor should explain suitable options, including their benefits, limitations, risks and setup needs.
A recommendation should consider your goals, routine, environment, support needs, safety and value for money. Ask questions and explain what feels practical.
Will You Trial the Equipment?
A trial lets you use equipment before a final recommendation or purchase. It is particularly useful for customised, unfamiliar or high-cost items.
During the trial, the assessor checks whether the item feels comfortable, fits your body and environment, supports the intended activity and can be used safely.
The NDIS may ask you to trial assistive technology or rent high-cost equipment before it is included in your plan. The evidence needed depends on the likely cost of the item and the funding available.
Be honest about anything that does not work. Discomfort or difficult controls could mean another option or adjustment is needed.
Do You Always Need a Formal Assessment?
Not every assistive technology item requires the same evidence.
Low-Cost Assistive Technology
Low-cost assistive technology costs less than $1,500.
When an item is also low-risk and the correct funding is available, you generally do not need an assessment, quote or supporting evidence before buying it. You also do not usually need prior NDIS approval.
Professional advice can still help when you are unsure whether the item is safe.
Mid-Cost Assistive Technology
Mid-cost assistive technology costs between $1,500 and $15,000.
Written evidence from a suitably qualified AT advisor is normally required. This can be a report, letter or email explaining what is needed, why it is suitable and how it will support you. It does not always need to be a formal assessment.
High-Cost Assistive Technology
High-cost assistive technology costs more than $15,000 and requires an assessment from a qualified AT assessor.
The NDIS will also generally need at least one quote and may ask you to trial or rent the equipment first.
Higher-risk assistive technology still requires specialised written advice, even when it costs less than $1,500.
The right professional depends on the item and could include an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist or another suitably qualified practitioner.
When choosing an NDIS service provider in Adelaide, ask whether the professional has relevant experience with the equipment being considered.
What Is Included in the Assessment Report?
After the appointment and any trials, the AT advisor or assessor prepares the required written evidence or assessment report.
The report should explain why the recommendation suits your disability-related needs. It should not simply list product features.
It usually covers:
- Your functional needs and NDIS goals
- Current equipment and supports
- Items considered or trialled
- The recommended item and key features
- Safety, setup and training needs
- Purchase, rental and maintenance costs
For high-cost equipment, the NDIS usually expects an assessment completed within the previous two years. A newer report or update may be needed when your needs or circumstances are changing quickly.
You can read the NDIS guidance on preparing evidence for an assistive technology assessment for more detail.
Ask to discuss the report if something does not reflect your situation accurately.
What Happens After the Report?
You or your assessor can provide the required evidence and quotes to the NDIA. The NDIA then considers whether the requested equipment meets NDIS funding criteria.
The next steps can include submitting the evidence, answering requests for more information, receiving the decision, ordering or renting the item, arranging fitting or installation and completing training.
An NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment supports the request but does not guarantee funding. The NDIA makes the final decision.
There is no single timeframe. Customised equipment can involve measurements, supplier visits and trials, so ask when you can expect the report.
For a broader explanation of OT assessments and supporting evidence, read our guide to NDIS occupational therapy assessments.
NDIS Assistive Technology Assessment in Adelaide
At Soaring Together, our occupational therapy services focus on the activities that matter in everyday life.
Our therapists support daily living skills, independence and the selection and use of assistive devices. We also work with families and other providers where helpful.
When you contact us about an assistive technology assessment in Adelaide, we begin by discussing the difficulty you are experiencing and the outcome you want to achieve.
From there, we can explain whether our occupational therapy team is suited to your referral and what the next step will look like.
As an NDIS service provider in Adelaide, we keep the participant’s goals, choices and everyday routine at the centre of the process.
To discuss our NDIS occupational therapy services in Adelaide or submit an OT referral, call Soaring Together on 1300 119 302 or email info@soaringtogether.au.
Contact our team today to discuss your assessment needs and take the next practical step towards finding equipment that fits your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an NDIS AT assessment take?
The timeframe depends on the equipment. Complex or customised items may require extra measurements, trials or follow-up appointments.
Can the assessment happen at home?
Yes. A home visit can help the assessor understand the activity, available space and environment where the equipment will be used.
Can I choose a particular product or brand?
You can share your preferences and ask about a specific item. The recommendation must still consider safety, suitability and value for money.
Does the assessment guarantee NDIS funding?
No. The report provides supporting evidence, but the NDIA decides whether the equipment meets NDIS funding criteria.
Who pays for the assessment?
Your plan may include funding for AT advice or an assessment. Check with your plan manager, support coordinator or my NDIS contact.
