The NDIS has found that many assistance animals aren’t an effective and beneficial support for many types of disabilities, taking into account current good practice. For example, an assistance animal recommended for emotional support is unlikely to be effective or beneficial in helping to reduce behaviours of concern.

So, the assistance animal is compared with other best practice supports. For example, a behaviour support plan or capacity building supports that tackle the issues that may be causing the behaviours.

Often there will be evidence that shows other more effective supports will give the same, or more benefits at a much lower cost.

Even if an assistance animal could be effective and beneficial in helping you to pursue your goals and improve your social and work activities, the NDIS need to make sure it’s value for money. For example, if you have a vision impairment, the NDIS needs to compare the cost of a dog guide, including its training and upkeep, with the cost of other supports available. This could be things like assistive technology or therapy supports.

The costs of training and qualifying an assistance animal often means they don’t meet the NDIS funding criteria.  The NDIS won’t fund an assistance animal if other supports are available that would cost a lot less to achieve a similar result.

This means that while the NDIS can fund an assistance animal, it must meet all of our funding criteria. Usually, an assistance animal isn’t found to be a reasonable and necessary support because it doesn’t meet your specific individual disability support needs.

When we assist with  your plan we must think about your supports as a total package of supports.

To access this service, please contact us online or call us on 0404 046 919 to enquire