NDIS for Amputees

Any Australian citizen or permanent resident under the age of 65, living with a permanent and significant disability, such as limb loss or a congenital limb deficiency, has the opportunity to not only imagine lifelong goals, but to create, reach and achieve those goals to their full potential, with funded support from the NDIS.

The NDIS offers those living with limb loss the unheralded opportunity of personalised support care plans. Plans, structured with personalised supports, activities and specialised prosthetics if required, to give you a new world of possibility, as you move with increased mobility in your day to day activities.

Mobility for a person living with limb loss is a significant life goal, affecting every interaction of their daily life.

With NDIS funding, a life goal as simple and significant as: ‘to live at home with more mobility, independence and contribution within my family unit’, becomes possible.

The NDIS and amputees

You may have limb loss due to an accident or result from an amputation due to limb loss from a life-threatening disease such as diabetes or meningitis. You may also have been born with a congenital limb deficiency or limb difference.

All amputee cases are personal and unique, and your case is based upon your personal impairment and the supports and services you will need to improve your daily functioning.

Does amputation qualify for disability?

To access the NDIS, your amputation must show how it has reduced your ability to manage your everyday tasks. You must also show how having NDIS funded supports will improve your daily functioning.

You will need an expert assessment from a qualified professional such as an occupational therapist or doctor. You may also need to provide documentation about whether your daily functioning is expected to improve or remain the same

What supports will my NDIS funding afford me?

Each of your supports are designed to improve your daily functioning and improve your ability to reach and achieve your life goals.

With an NDIS plan, you now experience a greater freedom to personalise your supports and services – after all, you are the expert about how your disability feels – and with these greater supports available to you, you can reduce the impacts of your disability and strengthen your social, mental and physical health.

One of the main criteria of an NDIS plan is to make sure your supports and services are reasonable and necessary and specific in assisting you to:

  • Reach your life goals
  • Improve and develop your daily skills, to increase your mobility and independence – supports such as physiotherapy and personal training can improve your strength and physical capabilities, strengthening your ability to manage your daily tasks
  • Increase your community connections and strengthen your relationships with yourself and your community – behavioural supports and therapeutic supports: such as aqua therapy for strength and relaxation training and yoga for flexibility and stress release.
  • Improve your daily functioning and safety – home modifications such as widening your doors for wheelchair access or showers installed and baths removed for safety and wheelchair access.
  • Improve your daily mobility – vehicle modifications: changing car pedals for lower limb, hand controls and spinner knobs for upper limb. Or accessing safe and effective suspension equipment.

How does the NDIS work in terms of prosthetics?

Supports such as assistive technology must be reasonable and necessary and represent value for money.

The NDIS has a set of criteria to determine whether your supports are beneficial and effective given your specific needs.

To demonstrate that your requests are necessary and reasonable you may be asked to document the evidence that supports your need of a certain prosthetic

In the case of a prosthetic leg, your records need to show your ability to wear a prosthetic device and your improved ability to bend, squat, walk and rise.

A prosthetic leg can cost anywhere between $5000 and $50,000 and will last for up to 5 years, meaning it is not a one-time cost.