NDIS Consumables: What You Can and Can't Buy
Updated: 3 days ago
If your NDIS plan has a Consumables budget, you have probably wondered what you are actually allowed to spend it on. Can it pay for nappies? Vitamins? A shower chair? The answer depends on whether the item is linked to your disability, and on the NDIS rules about what counts as an NDIS support.
This guide explains what NDIS consumables are, what they usually cover, what they don't, and a few practical tips for families on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
What are NDIS consumables?
Consumables are everyday items you need because of your disability support needs. The NDIS gives examples such as continence products and low cost assistive technology and equipment that improves your independence or mobility.
Your Consumables budget sits within your Core supports. Our post on what NDIS Core funding can be used for explains how Core funding works more broadly.
What NDIS consumables usually cover
Depending on your needs and your plan, consumables can include:
Continence products, such as pads, pull-ups, liners, bed and chair protection, and catheter supplies like collection bags and straps.
Low cost assistive technology (under $1,500), such as shower chairs, handrails, walking sticks, four-wheeled walkers, modified eating utensils, talking kitchen scales and incontinence alarms.
Communication and visual supports, such as visual schedules, timers and communication cards.
Home enteral nutrition (tube feeding) products, where they are needed because of your disability.
Modified or adaptive products, such as adaptive clothing and adaptive products to manage menstruation (for example period underwear).
Spare parts and consumable items specific to your assistive technology, such as replacement tips or parts for equipment you already use.
What NDIS consumables don't cover
The current NDIS rules list supports that are not NDIS supports. Your Consumables budget can't be used for items like:
Groceries, including food, drinks, cleaning and household products
Standard household items, appliances and tools
Prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, sunscreen, weight loss products and sports supplements
Makeup, cosmetics and cosmetic accessories
Standard clothing and footwear
A simple way to think about it: if most people would buy the item anyway, it usually isn't funded unless it has been modified or adapted because of your disability. Adaptive clothing can be funded, for example, but a standard pair of shoes can't.
There is a limited exception called a replacement support. In some cases the NDIA can approve a standard household item, tablet, smartphone or smart watch as a replacement for a more expensive support. This needs the NDIA's approval before you buy.
Can NDIS consumables pay for nappies?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from families.
Children under 5: Most children under 5 are not yet toilet trained, so nappies are treated as a usual family expense. The NDIS only funds continence products for children under 5 in rare situations, where a disability related medical condition means the child needs much more continence support than other children the same age.
Children aged 5 and over: The NDIS may fund continence products, including night time nappies for children who are toilet trained during the day, and a bed wetting alarm if a continence nurse recommends one. This is where incontinence is ongoing and related to the child's disability or developmental delay.
In both cases you will usually need evidence, such as a continence assessment from a continence nurse or another suitable health professional.
Low cost assistive technology and your Consumables budget
Low cost assistive technology is equipment that costs less than $1,500. You can buy it with your Consumables budget.
If an item is under $1,500 and low risk, you don't need a quote, assessment or NDIA approval before you buy it. It still needs to relate to your disability, help you work towards your goals and be safe for you to use. The NDIS recommends getting advice before buying any assistive technology, even low cost items, and some higher risk items under $1,500 may need written advice from an occupational therapist or another assistive technology advisor.
For more on the different levels of equipment, see our guide to NDIS assistive technology.
Practical tips for buying NDIS consumables
Check how your plan is managed. If you are plan managed or self managed, you can buy eligible consumables from registered or unregistered providers, including local pharmacies and shops on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast. If your plan is NDIA managed, you need to use registered providers.
Keep your receipts. Under the new NDIS laws, participants will need to keep records of supports and payments for 3 years.
Claim quickly. The NDIS has said claims must be made within 90 days of receiving a support, and plan managers are advising this starts on 1 December 2026. If you self manage, our post on the new record keeping and 90 day claim rules explains what to do. If you are plan managed, send receipts to your plan manager straight away.
Watch your funding periods. Most plans now release funding in set periods rather than all at once. Buying a large amount of stock in one go can use up a period early. Our post on NDIS funding periods explains how this works.
If you're not sure, ask first. Your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA can tell you whether an item can be funded before you buy it. Anything that isn't an NDIS support has to be paid for yourself.
NDIS support on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
Loving Life provides 1:1 support and group programs across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, including help at home and getting out into the community. If you would like to talk about support for you or your family member, we would love to hear from you.
📍 Based on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
Information current as at 6 November 2026. The NDIS supports lists are currently under review, so check with your plan manager or the NDIS before buying if you're unsure.
Sources: NDIS (Supports) Transitional Rules 2024 (legislation.gov.au); NDIS: What is low cost assistive technology (ndis.gov.au); NDIS Our Guidelines: Continence supports and Early childhood continence consumables (ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au); NDIS: Changes for participants, August 2026 (ndis.gov.au).
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