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 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
Your doctor must check you’re fit to drive using the national Assessing Fitness to Drive medical standards if you’re planning to drive a modified vehicle. The report should also outline your need for modified transport. We can decide if we’ll include funding in your plan for an assessment to explore your driving options when we receive the report.
When you’re a passenger
Ask your NDIA planner at your planning meeting to include funding for a vehicle modification assessment with an occupational therapist, if you’re a passenger, or a parent or carer who needs to modify their vehicle.
Step 3: Use your funding to get an assessment
Talk to an occupational therapist
If you’re the one driving
We need an assessment from a driver-trained occupational therapist if you want to drive the vehicle. 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, the evidence should confirm the modifications are safe for you and suit your current and future needs.
Download the vehicle modification assessment template:
- Vehicle modification assessment template (DOCX 92KB)
If you’re a passenger
We need an assessment from an occupational therapist to understand what changes are needed to your vehicle to travel in it safely if you’re not driving.
We’ll also need to know if you:
- own the vehicle
- plan to buy or lease the vehicle.
You must tell us in writing if you don’t own the vehicle and if:
- its owner agrees to the modifications to it
- you can use the vehicle for your transport needs.
Mid and high-cost modifications
Before you arrange for modifications to be 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, if they 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
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. Your state or territory motoring organisation can help organise this and it’ll be at your own cost.
The report must describe if the vehicle already has modifications that suit your needs and confirm:
- these modifications 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
We’ll consider whether the vehicle modifications can be funded after you’ve given us the completed assessment, supporting evidence and information about cost.
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 NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601.
Deliver it in person
You can deliver it to your my NDIS contact.
Tip: Having a vehicle modified may reduce your other supports.
We look at vehicle modifications along with all your transport needs. For example, it might reduce your transport funding for things like accessible taxis if we fund modifications to a vehicle.
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 send us a quote to approve before you modify your vehicle.
Step 5: Getting your vehicle modified
You can contact the vehicle modifier to arrange a time for your modifications to be done after you have funding for vehicle modifications put in your plan.
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 new modifications to your vehicle are usually provided by the licensed vehicle modifier. You may need more detailed training from an occupational therapist. Funding for this will be included in your capacity building supports budget.