Step 1: Get advice from an occupational therapist
We may fund modifications to a vehicle so you can drive it or travel in it. When considering if we will fund a vehicle modification, we look at if the vehicle modifications and driving supports:
- are needed because of your disability
- will help you work towards your goals
- are NDIS supports.
An occupational therapist can give you advice about vehicle modifications.
Tip: We can’t fund the purchase of a vehicle
It’s important to know that we can’t fund the purchase of a vehicle to modify.
Step 2: Gather your evidence for your planning meeting
For drivers: get a report from your doctor
If you’re planning to drive the modified vehicle, your doctor must check you’re fit to drive, using the national Assessing Fitness to Drive medical standards. The report should also outline your need for modified transport. Once we receive the report, we can decide if we’ll include funding in your plan for an assessment to explore your driving options.
When you’re a passenger
If you’re a passenger, or a parent or carer who needs to modify their vehicle, ask your NDIA planner at your planning meeting to include funding for a vehicle modification assessment with an occupational therapist.
Step 3: Use your funding to get an assessment
Talk to an occupational therapist
If you’re the one driving
If you want to drive the vehicle, we need an assessment from a driver-trained occupational therapist. Use our provider finder to look for one, or talk to your my NDIS contact or support coordinator, if you have one.
We have a vehicle modification assessment template your driver trained occupational therapist can complete to give us all the information about the assessment. This evidence should tell us what modifications you’re asking for. For a second-hand, already modified vehicle, it should confirm the modifications are safe for you and suit your current and future needs.
Vehicle modification assessment template
- Download the Vehicle modification assessment template docx file - DOCX 91.91 KB
If you’re a passenger
If you’re not driving, we need an assessment from an occupational therapist to understand what changes are needed to your vehicle to travel in it safely.
As a part of the assessment, we will also need to know:
- if you own the vehicle
- if you plan to buy or lease the vehicle.
If you don’t own the vehicle, you must tell us in writing that:
- its owner agrees to the modifications
- you can use the vehicle for your transport needs.
Mid- and high-cost modifications
If the modifications are being made to your vehicle, the assessment will need to:
- confirm the vehicle is suitable for any modifications
- provide details of the proposed modifications and the cost
- confirm that when the modifications are completed, they’ll meet the Australian standards and rules for your state or territory
- include any cost to get the engineering certificate or authorisation report for registration in your state or territory.
Modifying a second-hand vehicle
We need a vehicle condition report
If you’re planning to buy a second-hand vehicle older than 5 years and it’s no longer under warranty, we’ll need a vehicle condition report. This can be organised through your state or territory motoring organisation and will be at your own cost.
If the vehicle already has modifications that suit your needs, the report must describe those modifications, and confirm:
- that they meet the Australian standards and rules relevant to your state or territory
- how old the modifications are, and their likely remaining service life
- any additional modifications that are required for you to travel safely.
Step 4: Give us your evidence
After you have given us the assessment, supporting evidence and information about cost, we will consider whether the vehicle modifications can be funded.
Use our service hub
You can submit your completed assessment and supporting evidence through our service hub .
Send it in the mail
You can mail it to us at NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601.
Deliver your completed assessment and supporting evidence in person
You can deliver your completed assessment and supporting evidence to your my NDIS contact or local NDIA office.
Tip: Having a vehicle modified may reduce your other supports.
We look at vehicle modifications along with all your transport needs. For example, if we fund modifications to a vehicle, it might reduce your transport funding for things like accessible taxis.
If your vehicle modifications cost less than $15,000
You can follow our process for buying mid cost assistive technology.
If your vehicle modifications cost more than $15,000
You’ll need to get us a quote to approve before you can have your vehicle modified.
Step 5: Getting your vehicle modified
Once you have had funding for vehicle modifications put in your plan, you can contact the vehicle modifier to arrange a time for your modifications to be done.
We don’t fund running costs or optional extras.
We’ll only consider vehicle modifications you need because of your disability. We won’t pay your car registration, or for extras like window tinting.
Step 6: Ongoing use of your vehicle modifications
Your plan should include funding for repair and maintenance of your vehicle modifications. Funding for minor repairs to vehicle modifications would be in the core – consumables section of your plan.
Instructions and guidance on how to use your new modifications is usually provided by the licensed vehicle modifier. Funding will be included in your capacity building supports budget if you need more detailed training from an occupational therapist.