NDIS participants can choose how they want to manage the funded support in their plan. Therefore, you can claim sexual devices as assistive technology in your NDIS plan as long as:

1. It meets the reasonable and necessary criteria
2. It meets your needs
3. It helps you to pursue your goals

The NDIS defines assistive technology based on the World Health Organisation definition, which states, “any device or system that allows individuals to perform tasks they would otherwise be unable to do or increases the ease and safety with which tasks can be performed".

Simply put, assistive technologies can be categorised as physical supports that help you do something more easily or safely or otherwise cannot do because of your disability. NDIS will fund assistive technology that allows people with a disability to reach their fullest potential at home, in the community, and in the workplace, and therefore reach the goals within their NDIS plan.

• Low cost is considered less than $500
• It must be safe to use and doesn’t require any help setting it up
• You don't need an assessment or any quotes
• It can be bought from your local store or online
• You must have funding for low-cost assistive technology in your NDIS Plan under your Core Budget

Thankfully, participants can use their funding flexibly to purchase low-cost or basic assistive technology using funding in their Core - Consumables budget. Most participants have funding allocated in their Core budget for consumables. Following a change made in 2020, participants can use their Core budget more flexibly, including purchasing low cost AT under the consumables category. If you’re plan-managed or self-managed, you can purchase these items from any provider. NDIA-managed participants can purchase these from any NDIS provider registered to deliver assistive technology supports.

We strongly encourage that you keep a copy of your invoice and although it’s not always necessary, it can be handy to keep any information that relates to how the purchasing of sexual assistive technology meets your NDIS goals. For example, this could be a recommendation from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, or another allied health professional that a sexual device will help you improve your functioning in your everyday life to deliver assistive technology support. 

It’s very important to remember that if you’re self-managed, you can purchase the Ziggy yourself, but it still needs to relate to the goals in your NDIS plan. If you can’t link it back, and you’re audited, you will need to pay back the cost of the Ziggy that you purchased using your NDIS funding.

It’s very important to remember that if you’re self-managed, you can purchase the Ziggy yourself, but it still needs to relate to the goals in your NDIS plan. If you can’t link it back, and you’re audited, you will need to pay back the cost of the Ziggy that you purchased using your NDIS funding.

If you review your goals and find that Ziggy does not help you to pursue these, at your next review, we encourage you be sure to identify a goal around your sexual health or well-being, so that there is a goal to support you in buying a device in the future. If possible, have your therapy team put it in writing for you to take along to support your request.

Below are some examples of NDIS goals for both broad and specific goals that you might be able to use to claim sexual assistive technology as part of your NDIS plan:

1. NDIS broad goal examples:

• Maintain your general, emotional, and/or mental health and wellbeing
• Understand, explore and engage in the sexual activities of your choosing
• Explore your sexuality

2. NDIS specific goal examples:

• I would like to experience less periods of high tone / spasticity, by increasing my ability to engage in sexuality activities of my choosing
• I would like to experience less periods of extreme stress/distress/anger by increasing my ability to engage in sexuality activities of my choosing
• I would like to increase my emotion regulation skills, through engaging in masturbation/sexual intercourse with my partner
• I would like to increase my independence in using a sex toy with assistance from my partner
• I would like to better understand my body and engage in self-exploration / masturbation
• I would like to engage in mutual masturbation/sex alongside my chosen partner
• I would like to learn how to have different kinds sex, in order to develop skills for sexual relationships/to help meet my physical needs

Wouldn't it be great if everyone could openly talk about their sexual needs? We recommend NDIS participants should consider discussing their needs with their families, carers, and existing providers. This ensures that they find the best way to receive the support they need to live the most fulfilling life possible. These conversations are also really important in helping to de-stigmatise the exploration of sexual well-being amongst people with disabilities. However, we know it can be hard to talk about sex, so let us know if you're not sure who to talk to and we'll try and find someone to help you out.