Work & Study on the NDIS
Work and study supports under the NDIS can be confusing because multiple systems have responsibilities at the same time. In general, the NDIA describes the NDIS role as funding disability-related supports that meet all NDIS funding criteria, while schools, universities, training providers, and employers remain responsible for education delivery and workplace requirements (including reasonable adjustments). The NDIA’s “Work and Study” guideline is intended to explain how decisions are made about what the NDIS can fund for work and studying.
It’s important for participants and families to separate “education or workplace responsibilities” from “disability support needs,” by documenting the extra support that is needed because of disability. Where a person thinks they need additional support to study or work, the NDIA encourages them to talk with their myNDIS contact, support coordinator, or (where relevant) psychosocial recovery coach.
Supports While Studying
According to the NDIA, “supports while studying” refers to extra supports a person needs because of disability to participate in:
Primary or secondary school; and/or
Tertiary education (university, TAFE, Registered Training Organisations), including apprenticeships and traineeships
They note that many students can access necessary supports through their school or tertiary provider. The NDIS may fund additional disability-related supports for study if they meet all NDIS funding criteria and are not primarily about education delivery or learning content. Education delivery and learning content remains the education provider’s responsibility.
What Schools are Responsible For
The NDIA states that schools are responsible for what is part of education and learning, and for making reasonable adjustments so students can access education on the same basis as students without disability. Examples given include adjustments to learning materials, ensuring safe access around the school, and providing equal opportunities to participate in class and school activities.
This aligns with broader disability discrimination obligations. For example, the Australian Human Rights Commission explains that disability discrimination law applies in the workplace, and employers must make workplace adjustments where needed to perform essential job activities. The same general legal framework underpins reasonable adjustments more broadly (including in education settings).
NDIS Funding at School
The NDIA includes examples of what may be funded at school, including:
Additional specialist training for teachers about a student’s individual disability support needs; and
Disability-related supports needed at school that meet the NDIS funding criteria
The guideline also suggests some school-related supports are delivered through “in-kind” arrangements (pre-paid, delivered through state/territory systems rather than purchased from plan funds). Two commonly referenced in-kind programs are personal care in schools and student transport.
Personal Care in Schools
The NDIS explains personal care in schools is funded by state or territory governments in government schools and delivered by the school. It covers personal care (not school work).
Student Transport
The NDIS states that student transport between home and school is also funded and provided by state and/or territory governments.
The NDIS is clear that in-kind supports are delivered as pre-paid supports, not purchased using plan-managed budgets.
Not Funded at Schools
The NDIA provides examples of items and costs that are not funded for education, which include:
Tuition and education fees
Standard school supplies (uniforms, lunchboxes, etc.)
Learning supports primarily about educational achievement
Education-specific equipment and software
Fixed/non-transportable equipment or building modifications required for access (ramps, lifts, hearing loops)
Tutors/scribes and home schooling supports
School refusal programs
Camp/incursion/excursion fees
Transport between school activities (excursions, sporting carnivals, etc.)
Work experience that is part of the school curriculum
Work Experience & School-Based Traineeships
The NDIA states that curriculum work experience is a school responsibility. The NDIS may be able to fund disability-related supports that help a student participate in work experience, particularly for additional work experience outside curriculum requirements. For school-based traineeships (combining school, training, and work), the NDIS cannot fund what employers, schools, or traineeship providers must provide, but may fund disability-related supports needed to complete the traineeship if funding criteria are met.
Tertiary Level Supports
The NDIA explains that tertiary providers must make reasonable adjustments so students can participate in education on the same basis as students without disability. For example, changes to learning resources and ensuring access around campus.
NDIS May Fund in Tertiary Study
The NDIS may consider funding disability-related supports needed at university/TAFE/RTO, during apprenticeships, or during training where these supports enable daily activities and meet NDIS funding criteria. Examples include:
Help to connect with learning supports offered by the education provider
Personal care during study, placements, or specific tertiary projects
Transport to/from tertiary education if the participant cannot drive or use public transport due to disability
Training for lecturers/trainers/host employers (placements) about individual disability support needs
Not Funded in Tertiary Study
Examples listed for what the NDIS does not fund in tertiary study include:
Education/tuition fees
Supports primarily relating to education/training outcomes
Building modifications
Education-purpose staff employed by the tertiary provider
Fixed/non-transportable assistive products in tertiary settings for access
Textbooks and teaching aids (including alternative formats)
General transition-to-employment training typically provided in tertiary settings
The NDIA also indicates that the NDIS won’t fund supports where a person is not likely to benefit or where they withdraw/are expelled due to misconduct.
Assessing Study Supports
The NDIA frames decision-making around the NDIS funding criteria, including whether the support is:
An NDIS support for the participant
Directly related to disability support needs (not education responsibilities)
Effective and beneficial (including likely outcomes)
Linked to plan goals (a study goal is required for study supports)
Legal and safe
Value for money
Not something reasonably expected from informal supports
NDIS supports cannot replace mainstream supports. This is why supports primarily about learning or education delivery remain with schools and tertiary providers.
Supports for Work
“Supports for work” is used to describe disability-related supports that may assist a participant to:
Prepare for work and build skills
Transition from school to work or further training
Find and keep a job
Change occupation or advance a career
Try paid work
Become self-employed
Receive support at work
The NDIS may fund supports needed because of disability, where they are beyond what employers and mainstream employment programs must provide and meet the NDIS funding criteria (like with study supports).
Preparing for Work Supports
Working-age participants (from around age 14) may receive supports that build confidence and work skills where disability creates additional barriers. Examples include:
Exploring suitable work options
On-the-job work experience
Building basic work skills (travel training, following directions, teamwork)
Overcoming barriers to finding/keeping work
Additional work experience outside curriculum
Part-time work while at school
Building skills to connect with a disability employment service (where eligible)
The NDIA also outlines the kinds of information that may be discussed to determine funding and support needs, including a person’s tasks, interests, prior experience, independence, instruction-following, money management, community participation, travel capacity, and perceived barriers.
Transition from School to Work
Many people need additional support during the transition period between school and work particularly where there are difficulties in learning, social interaction, or self-management. Examples of supports that may be considered include building work skills, identifying suitable roles, job customisation, employer education, on-the-job coaching, and supports aimed at maintaining employment.
The NDIA publishes a “Let’s Talk About Work” booklet intended to help participants prepare for conversations about work, including strengths, barriers, work history, and goals.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers must provide reasonable adjustments to enable a person to work effectively and safely. They must also provide supervision or training as part of usual employment practice.
JobAccess explains reasonable adjustments can include physical changes, equipment/services, and changes to tasks or work methods, and notes employers have legal obligations to make adjustments.
The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)
Where workplace modifications, equipment, or services are needed, the Employment Assistance Fund provides reimbursements for eligible workplace changes and supports (including for people about to start work or self-employed).
Funding at Work
The NDIS may fund supports at work that are not the employer’s responsibility and are related to disability needs, such as:
Personal care supports at work
Occupational therapy or vocational assessments
Additional on-the-job training and support related to disability (as needed)
Supports to manage behaviour or complex needs at work
Not Funded at Work
There are a few examples of supports the NDIS does not fund because they are considered to be employer responsibilities or mainstream employment responsibilities, including:
Wages, insurance, superannuation
Recruitment costs and interview process changes
Workplace building changes (eg. Accessible bathrooms)
Work-specific aids/equipment/computers/software
Travel as part of work
General training and supervision employers provide to all employees
Workplace reasonable adjustments
Self-Employment, Career Change & Advancement
The NDIS may fund disability-related supports to help a person work in their own business, but not typical business expenses that everyone pays. For example, the NDIS won’t fund bookkeeping courses or accountancy fees. The NDIS may also fund certain employment-related assessments and counselling or advice where disability prevents return to a previous occupation, including functional and vocational assessments and workplace education supports.
Mainstream Employment Programs
The NDIS does not fund supports that other government programs are responsible for, referencing programs such as JobAccess and broader employment services.
Since late 2025, Disability Employment Services (DES) has been replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia, which is described by government resources as a specialist disability employment program.
After Supports are Included
Once a plan is approved, participants can begin using funded supports. If work or study circumstances change, participants are encouraged to discuss this with the NDIA or their supports, as funding may be used flexibly in some cases or a plan change may be required.
Disagreeing With a Decision
If the NDIA decided requested work or study supports do not meeting funding criteria and does not include them in a plan, they will provide written reasons. Participants can request an internal review and must usually do so within three months of receiving the decision in writing.
Work and study supports under the NDIS are determined by how the support relates to disability needs, whether it is an NDIS support, and whether it sits outside the responsibilities or schools, tertiary providers, employers, and mainstream employment programs. Understanding these boundaries can help participants set clearer goals, gather the right evidence, and request supports that align with the NDIS funding criteria.
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For more information on your NDIS Access Request visit: ndis.gov.au
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