Policy Priority: Availability of assistive technology
Assistive technology comprises devices or systems used by people to make tasks easier. Apps on a smart phone and remote controls are examples of this technology. Other types of assistive technology include grab rails, hoists, wheelchairs, hearing aids, text captioning services, home modifications, digital assistive technology, prosthetics and devices to support memory. For people with disability, access to assistive technology supports inclusion, participation, communication and engagement in all aspects of life.
The purpose of the “Availability of assistive technology” policy priority is to increase and support access to assistive technologies and aids where needed for people with disability. There are 2 measures under this policy priority:
- NDIS participants use of assistive technology (updated)
- Additional aids.
The updated measure is discussed below.
Measure: NDIS participants use of assistive technology
Full name – Proportion of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports in the last 12 months
Assistive technology helps people with disability do things they may not otherwise be able to do easily or safely due to their disability. Assistive technology is designed to help with everyday tasks and may reduce the need for other supports over time (NDIS 2025b). For more information, see Data Dictionary: NDIS participants use of assistive technology.
The measure looks at the percentage of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports in the last 12 months.
NDIS participants use of assistive technology
Latest update: 36% (2024–25 Q4)
Baseline: 49% (2021–22 Q2)
Progress status: Regress
Note: Decision made in December 2025 to suspend reporting pending data review.
In 2024–25 Q4:
- the proportion of female NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports was 44%, compared with 30% of male participants
- the age group with the highest percentage of NDIS participants who received assistive technology supports was 45–64 years (50%), and the lowest was the 15–24 age group (26%)
- by disability group, the highest percentage of NDIS participants who received assistive technology support was for the spinal cord injury group (87%) and the lowest was other sensory/speech group (15%).
Figure 5.2: Proportion of NDIS participants aged 15–64 who received assistive technology supports, 2021–22 Q2 to 2024–25 Q4
The data in the graph and the table below show the proportion of NDIS participants (aged 15–64) who received assistive technology supports. Data from 2021–22 Q2 to 2024–25 Q4 are used. In 2024–25 Q4, 36% of NDIS participants received assistive technology supports, compared with 49% in 2021–22 Q2.
Additional trend data can be found in the downloadable tables.
| Quarter | Proportion (%) |
|---|---|
| 2021–22: Q2 | 49% |
| 2021–22: Q3 | 48% |
| 2021–22: Q4 | 48% |
| 2022–23: Q1 | 48% |
| 2022–23: Q2 | 48% |
| 2022–23: Q3 | 48% |
| 2022–23: Q4 | 48% |
| 2023–24: Q1 | 48% |
| 2023–24: Q2 | 48% |
| 2023–24: Q3 | 47% |
| 2023–24: Q4 | 45% |
| 2024–25: Q1 | 44% |
| 2024–25: Q2 | 41% |
| 2024–25: Q3 | 39% |
| 2024–25: Q4 | 36% |
Notes:
- From 2022–23 Q3 (March quarter), data presented in these webpages measures the proportion of active NDIS participants receiving assistive technology supports of any value in the last 12 months. This differs from earlier releases of these webpages (in December 2022 and March 2023) where data was restricted to assistive technology supports valued more than $1,500. The change is due to additional data becoming available, which means that measure data are more complete. Baseline data have also been revised.
- Data are for NDIS participants aged 15–64 who had an active plan at the start and end of the 12-month period.
- Participants are likely to still be using and benefitting from assistive technology (as a capital investment) even if there are no costs incurred during a 12-month period.
- To be eligible for the NDIS, a person must meet the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements. Disability requirements include that the disability is caused by an impairment, is likely to be permanent and significantly impacts the individual's ability to perform everyday activities and is likely to need NDIS support for life. Early intervention requirements are that the individual has an impairment that is likely to be permanent or are a child younger than 9 with development delay and that early intervention supports are likely to reduce their future support needs and be of benefit to the individual.
- All supports funded in a NDIS participant’s plan must meet the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Criteria, which includes that the support will be effective for the participant and be related to their specific disability needs. Not all NDIS participants would necessarily have a reasonable and necessary requirement for assistive technology supports.
- Time series analysis for the NDIS data presented here is different from the longitudinal approach taken in NDIS reporting. See Data sources | National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for more details.
- Data as at 30 June 2025. This is a three month lag to the latest quarter. Results may change as a result of lagged claims.
Source: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Business Systems.
Source:
NDIA Business Systems.
|
Data source overview
For figure notes, see Appendix B: Figure notes and sources.
NDIS (2025a), Am I eligible, NDIS, Australian Government, accessed 8 October 2025.
NDIS (2025b) Our Guidelines, NDIS, Australian Government, accessed 8 October 2025
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