'Cowboys and fly-by-nighters' no longer covered by NDIS

People with disability now know exactly what supports they can and can't claim on the government's support funding scheme.

For the first time, the federal government on Tuesday released a list of resources National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants can spend their money on.

The list will come into effect from Thursday, though there will be a one-year transition period so participants who have planned to access supports no longer on the list will be able to keep those until the expiry of their plan.

This update would help return the scheme to its original purpose and ensure it wasn't paying for supports that should be covered by Australia's other care systems or shouldn't be covered at all, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says the list will get rid of unproven therapies.

"This scheme is going to be run properly, transparently, and in the best interest of participants, not some service providers who are selling therapies which we cannot find much in the way of a scientific or evidence basis," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra.

"They're selling snake oil. They're selling stuff which, frankly, doesn't work.

"What this does is it gives all Australians confidence that the cowboys and fly-by-nighters can't sell their nonsense and be subsidised to do so."

The NDIS will continue to cover supports such as assistance animals, access to employment or higher education, help for travel and daily tasks and a host of other resources.

But costs such as rent, holidays and alternative practices including tarot card reading, shamanic healing and hypnotherapy can no longer be claimed.

Fertility treatments and specific wellness and coaching supports such as sports supplements and life coaches have also been ruled out.

A guide dog (file image)
Assistance animals will continue to be covered under the NDIS.

If people continue to claim items that are not NDIS supports despite being provided with information and advice, remedial action will be taken.

The government will also provide a substitution list so participants can request a replacement support in cases where a standard household item might be able to provide them with better outcomes.

"There'll be a fair bit of common sense," Mr Shorten said.

The lists are the result of a month-long public consultation which received more than 7000 responses from the public, organisations and peak disability bodies.

Though they are believed to help with the NDIS's ballooning costs, the government hasn't banked any savings from the lists.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store