The following information is to provide you with examples of what the NDIS may fund. It’s important to note that this is only a guide to assist you make an informed decision. Only your My NDIS Contact, an NDIS Delegate, or the explicit written information in a current NDIS plan serves as the source of truth. The NDIS considers requests based on whether the support is related to your disability and whether it meets the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Guidelines.
Is this funded by the NDIS?
Animal therapy is generally not funded by the NDIS unless specifically included in a participant’s plan as a therapy modality with clear evidence of its therapeutic benefit.
The List of supports that are not NDIS Supports PDF (p.7) states that animal therapy such as puppy therapy or goat therapy is not evidence-based under standard guidelines. The use of equine therapy is also considered a support the NDIS does not fund.
However, if the support is listed as an approved therapy in your NDIS plan, it would be funded. Therapy services which align with the NDIS plan, e.g. psychology, counselling and social work may be funded where the primary service is therapy that is provided with the use of animals. This should be claimed as the primary therapy, such as psychology, not animal related therapy.
The NDIS may also fund a support worker to attend self-funded animal therapy if it is in line with the participant's plan.
What's next?
Check your NDIS plan to see if animal therapy is included. If it is not, you will need to request written approval from your My NDIS Contact with supporting evidence from your therapy team
Helpful Resources
Participant Responsibilities
NDIS participants have an important responsibility to ensure supports are spent in line with their plan. Key responsibilities for participants include ability to understanding the inclusions of the plan, which includes:
- Know the Goals - All supports purchased should contribute to achieving these goals
- Understand Budget Categories – Ensure each category is used within the specific rules about what can be purchased within it
- Be aware of stated supports - If a plan states the exact supports on how the plan should be used, this is the prescribed use of the funds. If the supports are not stated, the NDIS plan has some flexibility within the funded supports, this does require the supports fulfill NDIS requirements and is spent in-line with the plan as intended by the NDIS.
- Know the plan funding periods: Understand how the plan funding is allocated across timeframes within the plan
- Spend in line with the plan and fulfill the NDIS Reasonable and Necessary Guidelines
If you are uncertain if a support can be funded within the NDIS plan, you should discuss this with your plan manager to ensure this support can be claimed.