15_047_0135_1_3
Selection And/or Manufacture Of Customised Or Wearable Technology

Line Item Description

This support item is located within the NDIS Capacity Building support category, under Early Childhood Supports (Category 15), although it is commonly used for all participants when the purpose is to fund the professional labour involved in custom technology. This item is typically used for Assistive Technology (AT) Specialists.

This line item funds the professional labour component associated with the selection, prescription, and/or custom manufacture of Assistive Technology (AT) that is either highly customised or in the form of wearable technology. The cost of the AT itself is often claimed separately under the relevant Capital support line item.

Key Outcomes and Activities:

Specialist Assessment and Prescription: Involves the time spent by a qualified professional (e.g., Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Rehabilitation Engineer) to assess the participant's complex needs and determine the most suitable customised or wearable technology solution.

Customisation and Manufacture: Covers the labour and expertise required to design, modify, or manufacture a non-standard item of assistive technology to meet the participant’s unique functional requirements (e.g., custom seating, highly personalised communication device configurations).

Wearable Technology: Specifically includes the professional time for selecting and setting up wearable devices that support independence, safety, monitoring, or communication (e.g., smartwatches with fall detection, customised sensory or tracking devices).

Training and Capacity Building: Includes training the participant, family, and support workers on the complex operation, maintenance, and integration of the customised or wearable technology into the participant’s daily routines to maximise functional benefit.

Complex Assistive Technology: This item is used for technology solutions that are not readily available off-the-shelf and require specialist knowledge for successful deployment, ensuring the AT is appropriate and safe.

Professional Requirement: This support must be delivered by a suitably qualified professional with expertise in complex assistive technology, such as an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, or Rehabilitation Engineer.

Claimable Costs: As well as direct service provision, this item can be used to claim for:

Non-Face-to-Face Support Provision
Provider Travel
Short Notice Cancellation (two clear business days)
NDIA Requested Reports
Provider Travel – Non-Labour Costs (using the support item 15_799_0135_1_3)

Note on use: This support is typically used to fund the expertise needed before or during the acquisition of the AT itself, which is funded under the Capital budget.