Case
Roger thinks being able to drive a vehicle will increase his independence. He talks to his occupational therapist who agrees this is a suitable disability related support.
Rather than buy a vehicle then modify it, Roger decides to buy one that has already been modified.
Roger finds a car that has the driver controls he needs. It also has modifications that will allow him to secure his wheelchair and move it in and out of the car.
The vehicle Roger wants to buy is more than 5 years old and out of warranty.
He asks us to cover the cost of modifications already in the vehicle.
Would we typically fund this?
Yes, the NDIS will generally fund the depreciated cost of modifications already in a vehicle you may be looking to buy.
We calculate this by considering how long ago the modifications were made and how much their value has reduced since this time.
This is called depreciation. To calculate the depreciation Roger will need to tell us the original cost of the modifications and their age, in years, where possible.
Roger will also need to give us evidence the modifications:
- relate to his disability
- meet his disability support needs
- meet the Australian standards and rules relevant in his state or territory.
The vehicle is more than 5 years old and out of warranty, so Roger will need to give us a vehicle condition report.
A licensed vehicle modifier or certifier needs to provide this report.
Because the modifications are so Roger can drive the vehicle, Roger will also need to give us evidence from a driver trained occupational therapist that he has ongoing capacity to drive.
We will not fund the vehicle purchase because this is a day-to-day cost, not a disability related support.
For more information, refer to Our Guideline – Vehicle modifications and driving supports.
Why would we fund this?
We would fund this because the vehicle modification meets the NDIS Funding Criteria.
We have used the evidence Roger has provided for an existing vehicle modification.
The evidence Roger provided shows this disability support is suitable for his needs.
This is because:
- an occupational therapist recommended these modifications as suitable for Roger’s disability support needs. They assessed the modified features and determined they would allow Roger to move his wheelchair in and out of the vehicle independently and secure his wheelchair for transit.
- the driver trained occupational therapist confirmed Roger is independent in all driving related activities, has ongoing capacity to drive and the applied conditions on his driver’s licence match the modifications he will drive with.
- an occupational therapist has considered Roger’s ongoing personal care support needs, circumstances and expected changes to his functional capacity.
Roger has provided evidence the modifications and vehicle will be suitable on a long-term basis, based on:
- the age and condition of the vehicle and the modifications
- the professional opinion of a driver-trained occupational therapist who has assessed the driver controls, such as steering control, alteration to the brake and accelerator controls
- the professional opinion of a driver trained occupational therapist who tells us how Roger can get in and out of the vehicle safely, and manage all driver-related tasks
- the assessment by an authorised vehicle modifier stating the modifications meet the Australian standards and rules relevant in his state or territory, especially if the modifications were installed overseas
- the expected need for maintenance or repairs.
As the modifications are already installed, we need to calculate their depreciated value, as this is the amount of funding we would add to Roger’s plan.
For more information, refer to Our Guideline – Vehicle modifications and driving supports.
What else do we think about?
The modifications must be value for money compared with other supports that would get the same outcome.
Your planner will look at all your transport needs to work out the reasonable and necessary cost based on other options available.
We won’t fund extra items that don’t relate to your disability. You may choose to use your own money to pay for special features not related to your disability needs.
We will generally not fund:
- buying a motor vehicle
- regular insurance, registration or running costs.
These are day-to-day costs related to your transport needs, rather than your disability support needs.
Case example
Susan has Spina Bifida and needs a wheelchair to get around.
She has been taking driving lessons in a modified vehicle using hand controls to operate the accelerator and brakes. Susan recently passed her driving test.
Susan wants to buy a car large enough to fit her wheelchair.
Her driving instructor suggests she look at second hand vehicles that have already been modified with hand controls and can fit a wheelchair.
It’s likely this is more affordable than a new vehicle, and we may provide funding toward the cost of the fitted modifications.
Susan contacts her planner to talk about the next steps. The planner explains we need a vehicle condition report if the vehicle is more than 5 years old and out of warranty.
Her planner advises we may fund the depreciated value of modifications fitted to the vehicle, but only if they relate to, and are suitable for, her disability.
They also need to be value for money when compared with other vehicle modifications or comparable supports.
The planner recommends that if Susan wants to buy a vehicle already modified to support her disability, she needs to give us evidence from a driver trained occupational therapist.
The driver trained occupational therapist must recommend the types of vehicles that would best suit Susan.
This should include an itemised list of the minimum modifications she needs to operate a vehicle safely and be independent in things like getting her wheelchair in and out of the vehicle and other driving-related tasks.
Susan also needs to prove to us the modifications already fitted in the second-hand vehicle, or modifications that are factory fitted in an imported vehicle:
- are legal, safe and in good working condition
- are appropriate and suitable for her transport needs
- meet the Australian standards and rules relevant in her state or territory.
Susan sees a second hand car within her price range.
The vehicle, imported from Japan, has been factory modified to support a wheelchair and uses hand controls to operate the accelerator and brakes.
Susan works with her driver trained occupational therapist to make sure the modifications include everything she needs to operate the car and do things such as securing her wheelchair.
The car dealer lets Susan get the vehicle inspected by an authorised vehicle modifier who finds that the wheelchair restraint does not meet the Australian standards and rules relevant in her state or territory. It will need replacing.
The modifier gives Susan an assessment of the equipment and a quote on the cost of replacing the wheelchair restraint.
He also gives Susan an itemised list of the costs of the factory modifications.
The car dealer offers to discount the price of the car by the cost to replace the non-standard wheelchair lock and confirms how old the modifications are.
Susan submits her evidence to her planner. She includes:
- the modifications list from her driver trained occupational therapist and the therapist’s confirmation these are suitable for her to use
- evidence from the occupational therapist detailing the results of her vehicle trial including how she can enter the vehicle, restrain her wheelchair, exit the vehicle and manage all driver-related tasks
- the risk assessment from the vehicle modifications dealer
- a quote for fitting an Australian standards and rules compliant wheelchair restraint
- the factory cost of the compliant modifications.
When working out whether funding for Susan’s vehicle modifications meets the NDIS Funding Criteria, the planner considers:
- the benefits of the modification in achieving Susan’s desired outcome based on the evidence provided from the trial
- the depreciated cost of the modifications and whether other options are better value for money
- the effectiveness of the modifications in terms of Susan’s current and future disability support needs.
In Susan’s case, the planner decides other options are unlikely to meet her support needs or are poor value for money.
The planner decides the funding request meets the NDIS Funding Criteria and approves funding for:
- the depreciated value of the factory-fitted compliant modifications in the vehicle
- the installation of a new Australian standards and rules compliant wheelchair lock.
For more information, refer to;