Getting the Right Chair: NDIS, Aged Care & DVA Explained

Getting the Right Wheelchair: How NDIS, Aged Care, and DVA Funding Can Help You Move Freely

Updated August 2026 | 12 min read

If you or someone you care about needs a wheelchair, the price tag shouldn't be the thing standing in the way. Australia has three major funding programs that can cover the full cost of a wheelchair, and chances are you qualify for at least one of them.

The problem? Nobody explains the process in plain English. Most of the information out there is buried in government jargon or written by service providers trying to funnel you into their own services.

We're a wheelchair store, not a service provider. So we're going to lay out all three wheelchair funding options clearly, with real prices, honest timelines, and the actual steps you need to take.

Three Ways to Get Wheelchair Funding in Australia

Here's the short version. There are three government-backed programs, and which one you use comes down to your age and circumstances.

Not sure which one applies to you? Keep reading. We'll break each one down step by step.

Option 1: NDIS Wheelchair Funding (Under 65)

The NDIS is the most common pathway for getting a funded wheelchair in Australia. If you're under 65 and have a permanent disability that affects how you get around, this is almost certainly your route.

Who's Eligible?

To qualify for NDIS wheelchair funding, you need to tick four boxes:

• Be under 65 years old when you first apply
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
• Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your daily life
• Live in Australia

The key word is "permanent." A broken leg won't qualify, but conditions that aren't going to improve on their own generally will. Common qualifying conditions include spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, and amputation.

What Does the NDIS Actually Cover?

Wheelchair funding sits under "Capital Supports" in your NDIS plan, specifically the Assistive Technology category. Here's what the NDIS can pay for:

• Manual wheelchairs — standard, lightweight, ultralight, and custom-built
• Specialist seating systems — custom cushions, backrests, positioning supports
• Wheelchair accessories — trays, bags, cup holders, phone mounts
• Repairs and maintenance: tyre replacements, brake adjustments
• Training on how to use your wheelchair

How to Get a Wheelchair Through the NDIS

Step 1: Make sure you have NDIS access. If you're not already an NDIS participant, you'll need to apply. Call 1800 800 110 or visit ndis.gov.au to start an access request.

Step 2: Check your plan includes Assistive Technology funding. Wheelchair funding needs to be in your plan under Capital Supports. If it's not there, get in touch with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator and request a plan review to add it.

Step 3: Get an assessment from an Occupational Therapist (OT). This is where an OT evaluates your mobility needs, measures you up, and recommends the right type of wheelchair. For items over roughly $1,500, the NDIS requires a formal AT assessment and report.

Step 4: Get quotes from suppliers. Your OT will recommend specific wheelchair models. You (or your OT) then get quotes from wheelchair suppliers. This is where we come in — we provide quotes for any wheelchair in our range.

Step 5: Submit for approval. Your OT submits their assessment report and quotes to the NDIS. Straightforward requests can be approved within a few weeks. More complex setups may take longer.

Step 6: Purchase and delivery. Once approved, you purchase the wheelchair. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you can buy from any supplier (including us). If you're NDIA-managed, you'll need to use a registered NDIS provider.

How Your NDIS Funding Is Managed

This bit matters because it directly affects where you can shop:

If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you've got the most freedom. You can shop around, compare prices, and buy from any supplier that suits you — including online stores like ours.

Option 2: Aged Care Wheelchair Funding (65 and Over)

If you're 65 or older (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), the NDIS isn't an option. Instead, your wheelchair funding comes through the aged care system. There are two main programs.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP is the entry-level aged care program. It's designed for older Australians who need a bit of help to stay living at home. CHSP can fund basic mobility aids including standard wheelchairs. Itsuits people who need a straightforward manual wheelchair without complex positioning or seating needs.

Home Care Packages (HCP)

Home Care Packages offer more comprehensive support, and come in four levels depending on the complexity of your care needs:

Wheelchair assessment, supply, accessories, and ongoing maintenance can all be funded through your Home Care Package when they're central to helping you keep living at home.

How to Access Aged Care Wheelchair Funding

Step 1: Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au.

Step 2: Complete an assessment. You'll be assessed by either a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) for CHSP, or an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for Home Care Packages.

Step 3: Work with your Home Care Package provider to include wheelchair services in your care plan.

Step 4: Your provider arranges the OT assessment, wheelchair selection, and supply.

The main difference from the NDIS: with aged care funding, your Home Care Package provider manages the process. You'll have less direct control over which supplier to use, but you can absolutely express your preferences.

Option 3: DVA Wheelchair Funding (Veterans)

If you're an Australian veteran or an eligible war widow/widower, the Department of Veterans' Affairs can fund your wheelchair through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP).

Who's Eligible?

• Gold Card holders: Comprehensive access to most mobility aids and health services
• White Card holders: Funding for equipment related to your accepted service-related conditions

What DVA Covers

DVA covers the full scope of wheelchair needs:

• Wheelchair assessment and prescription by an OT or physio
• Manual wheelchair supply
• Specialist seating and positioning
• Repairs, maintenance, and replacements
• Delivery, fitting, and training

How to Apply for a DVA Wheelchair

Step 1: Get a referral from your GP or specialist. Unlike the NDIS, DVA typically needs a medical referral to get things started.

Step 2: Your GP sends a request to DVA for an OT assessment.

Step 3: An OT assesses your needs and recommends appropriate equipment.

Step 4: DVA approves and funds the wheelchair through the RAP program.

DVA tends to be more straightforward than the NDIS. The referral pathway is well-established and there's less paperwork on your end.

How Much Do Wheelchairs Actually Cost?

Most websites dance around the pricing question. We won't. Here are the real price ranges for the types of wheelchairs you can get funded in Australia:

The important thing to remember: if you're funded through the NDIS, Aged Care, or DVA, you're typically not paying these prices out of pocket. The funding covers the cost of whichever wheelchair your OT assessment determines is reasonable and necessary for your needs.

What Happens During the Assessment?

Regardless of which funding pathway you use, you'll need an Occupational Therapist (OT) assessment before you can get a funded wheelchair. This is the part that makes a lot of people nervous, so here's exactly what to expect.

What the OT Will Ask About

• Your daily routine and the activities you do (or want to do)
• Where you'll use the wheelchair — home, work, outdoors, public transport
• Your living situation — house type, doorway widths, ramps, steps
• Your goals — what do you want to be able to do that you can't right now?
• Any discomfort or skin issues you currently experience

What the OT Will Measure

• Your height, weight, and body dimensions
• Your sitting position and balance
• Your arm strength and reach
• Your ability to transfer in and out of a wheelchair
• Your home environment — doorways, corridors, bathroom access

What They'll Recommend

Based on the assessment, your OT will recommend a specific type of wheelchair, along with any features you need (tilt, recline, elevating leg rests, cushion type), accessories, and any home modifications that might be required.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

Timelines vary depending on your funding pathway and how complex your wheelchair needs are. Here are realistic estimates:

NDIS Timelines

• Already a participant with AT in your plan: 4-8 weeks from OT assessment to delivery
• Need to add AT to an existing plan: 6-12 weeks (includes the plan review process)
• New NDIS applicant: 3-6 months (includes access request, planning meeting, assessment)

Aged Care Timelines

• Already on a Home Care Package: 4-8 weeks from assessment to delivery
• New applicant: 3-12 months (waitlists for Home Care Packages can be long)

DVA Timelines

• With GP referral: 4-8 weeks from assessment to delivery

These are estimates. Simple manual wheelchair requests tend to be faster. Complex chairs with custom seating take longer because they often need to be built to order.

Can You Combine Funding Sources?

Sometimes, yes. This is called "blended funding" and it can work in certain situations:

• If your NDIS plan covers the wheelchair but not all the accessories, private health insurance might cover the extras
• If you're transitioning between the NDIS and aged care (turning 65), there may be a bridging period
• Some state-based equipment schemes can supplement NDIS or aged care funding
• Charities and community organisations sometimes provide top-up funding

Blended funding gets complicated fast, so have a conversation with your Support Coordinator or plan manager about whether it applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay anything out of pocket?

In most cases, no. NDIS, Aged Care, and DVA funding typically covers the full cost of the wheelchair and accessories that are deemed "reasonable and necessary." If you want a premium upgrade beyond what's clinically recommended, you may need to cover the difference yourself.

Can I choose which wheelchair I get?

Yes, but with guidance. Your OT recommends options based on your needs, and you have input on which one you prefer. The funding body needs to agree it's "reasonable and necessary," but within that range, you've got genuine choice. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants have the most flexibility here.

What if my wheelchair breaks down?

All three funding programs cover repairs and maintenance. Keep your wheelchair serviced regularly (usually once a year) and report any issues to your provider or supplier. Emergency repairs are usually prioritised.

Can I get a second wheelchair?

Possibly. If you need one wheelchair for indoors and another for outdoors or travel, your OT can make a case for two. It comes down to your individual circumstances and what the funding supports.

What if I'm not sure which funding I qualify for?

Start with the basics:

• Under 65? Try the NDIS first — call 1800 800 110
• 65 or over? Contact My Aged Care — call 1800 200 422
• A veteran? Contact DVA — call 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)

If you're still unsure, talk to your GP. They'll point you in the right direction.

How often can I get a new wheelchair?

There's no fixed replacement schedule, but wheelchairs are typically replaced every 5-7 years, or sooner if your needs change significantly or the chair is beyond economical repair. Your OT will assess whether a replacement is justified.

Do I need an OT assessment for every wheelchair purchase?

For the NDIS, yes — especially for items over $1,500. The OT assessment is the foundation of your funding application. For simpler items like basic cushions or accessories, you may not need a full formal assessment.

Can I buy a wheelchair online with NDIS funding?

Yes. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you can buy from any supplier, including online stores like ours. We can send invoices directly to your plan manager.

What's the difference between a registered and unregistered NDIS provider?

A registered NDIS provider has been formally approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If your plan is NDIA-managed, you must use registered providers. If you're self-managed or plan-managed, you can use either — which means you can shop with us.

I'm a carer or family member. Can I apply on behalf of someone else?

Absolutely. Family members, carers, and guardians can apply on behalf of the person who needs the wheelchair. You can also attend planning meetings and OT assessments as a support person.

All content in this guide is for general information purposes. We are not NDIS registered providers or financial advisers. For specific advice about your situation, speak with your OT, Support Coordinator, or plan manager. Information about NDIS, Aged Care, and DVA programs is sourced from publicly available government resources and is current as of August 2026.

Related Articles

• Over 65? Your Wheelchair Funding Options (Aged Care + DVA)
• How Australians Fund Mobility Equipment in 2026
• Everything NDIS Covers for Mobility Equipment
• Applying for Wheelchair Support Through the NDIS