The NDIS can fund an assistance animal, such as a dog guide or another trained assistance dog, when it is a reasonable and necessary support for your disability and it is trained, or being trained, by an accredited assistance animal provider. The NDIS does not fund pets, companion animals, emotional support animals or therapy animals. If an assistance animal is approved, your plan may also include its ongoing maintenance costs, such as food, grooming and vet fees.
If you are thinking about an NDIS assistance dog, this guide sets out what the NDIS says counts as an assistance animal, what it funds, how to apply, and where help at home from PetCloud can fit in.
What is an assistance animal under the NDIS?
The NDIS explains that assistance animals are specially trained by accredited providers to help you do things you can’t do because of your disability. To be an assistance animal, the NDIS says the animal needs to be trained to:
- a high level of obedience in community and public spaces, like train stations or shopping centres
- perform at least 3 tasks or behaviours that you can’t do because of your disability
Examples the NDIS gives include opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, pressing the button at traffic lights, guiding you through crowds and reassuring you in times of extreme anxiety. Source: What are assistance animals, NDIS.
Assistance animal vs therapy dog vs emotional support animal
The NDIS is clear that not every helpful animal is an assistance animal. It lists animals that do not meet the definition, including animals that:
- are kept for company or fun, including pets
- provide emotional and informal support
- take part in therapy activities led by a therapist
- belong to a volunteer or provider and are trained to visit residential, health or educational facilities
The NDIS also notes that animals included in animal-assisted therapy are not assistance animals. In animal-assisted therapy, the animal is a tool an appropriately qualified person, like a clinical psychologist, uses as part of structured therapy. You can read more in our guides to emotional support animals in Australia and animal assisted therapy.
What can the NDIS fund for an assistance animal?
According to the NDIS, when assistance animal funding is included in your plan, it may cover:
- an assessment to match an animal with you
- buying or leasing an assistance animal
- training the assistance animal by a qualified provider
- ongoing maintenance costs, such as vet fees, food and grooming
The NDIS says it cannot fund pet insurance, or taxidermy and pet cremations, burials or funerals. Its guideline also explains that ongoing maintenance funding is for a fully trained and qualified assistance animal, not while the animal is still being trained.
Who can provide an NDIS-funded assistance animal?
The NDIS will only fund an assistance animal that has been trained, or is being trained, by an accredited assistance animal provider. Its assistance animals guideline describes the ways an animal can qualify, including accreditation under a state or territory law, accreditation by an animal training organisation prescribed under the Disability Discrimination Act regulations, or accreditation by a registered NDIS provider registered to provide assistance animals. The provider must be able to show evidence that they are accredited.
How to ask the NDIS for an assistance animal: 6 steps
The NDIS sets out these steps on its page How to ask for funding for assistance animals:
- Learn what an assistance animal is and whether it suits your needs.
- Contact your my NDIS contact to talk about the process and the evidence needed.
- Ask for an assessment. A dog guide mobility instructor assesses for dog guides, and an assistive technology assessor completes an assistance animal assessment for other assistance animals.
- Gather evidence. For assistance animals other than dog guides, this includes evidence from a registered assistance animal provider, your allied health professionals and you. The animal also needs to pass your state or territory’s public access test.
- Get a quote from an accredited assistance animal provider. The NDIS says the quote needs to include the costs of caring for the animal and keeping it accredited.
- Send your information and evidence to the NDIS, for example through your my NDIS contact.
If the NDIS decides the assistance animal does not meet the funding criteria, it will explain why, and you can ask for an internal review.
Help caring for your assistance animal at home
Living with an assistance animal brings daily care tasks: feeding, exercise, toileting clean-up and keeping your home hygienic. If those tasks are hard for you because of your disability, a Support Worker may be able to help you with them, in line with your plan goals.
PetCloud connects self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants with NDIS-trained Support Workers Australia-wide, who are strongly encouraged to hold a current police check. PetCloud is not an NDIS Registered Provider, so for the animal itself you will need an accredited assistance animal provider. Read How to care for an assistance dog for practical tips, or visit the PetCloud NDIS Support page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NDIS pay for assistance dogs?
It can. The NDIS can fund an assistance animal when it is a reasonable and necessary support, meets the NDIS funding criteria, and is trained or being trained by an accredited assistance animal provider.
Does the NDIS fund therapy dogs?
Therapy animals are not assistance animals under the NDIS definition. Animals used in animal-assisted therapy are a tool used by a qualified practitioner as part of therapy, not an assistance animal funded for you.
Does the NDIS cover emotional support animals?
No. The NDIS says animals that provide emotional and informal support do not meet the definition of an assistance animal.
Will the NDIS pay for a pet dog?
No. The NDIS lists animals other than NDIS-funded assistance animals, including pets and companion animals, as supports it cannot fund.
Does the NDIS cover food and vet bills for an assistance dog?
If your plan includes an assistance animal, it may fund ongoing maintenance costs such as food, grooming and vet fees. The NDIS does not fund pet insurance.
Where do I get an NDIS-funded assistance dog?
The NDIS will only fund an assistance animal trained, or being trained, by an accredited assistance animal provider. You can search for a provider online, ask your my NDIS contact or use the NDIS provider finder. Once your animal is home, PetCloud can connect self-managed and plan-managed participants with Support Workers who help with daily tasks, in line with their plan.
Request support at home
If you have an assistance animal and need help with day-to-day tasks, PetCloud’s NDIS Bookings Coordinator can talk through your goals with you. Request NDIS Support.
