Picture this. Your little one has been happily cruising around the Sunshine Coast in a regular pram. Beach walks at Mooloolaba. Saturday mornings at the Eumundi markets. Then, halfway through the year, they hit a growth spurt. The pram doesn't support them any more. Their OT recommends a special needs stroller, and you think: easy, we'll just ask the NDIS to add it.
That used to be fairly simple. Since the NDIS changes that started in October 2026, it's a bit trickier. The good news? A little planning ahead makes a big difference.
What's changed for NDIS equipment
First, a few words you'll hear a lot.
• Assistive technology (AT) is equipment that helps your child do everyday things. Think supportive strollers, seating, bath chairs, standing frames, walkers, communication systems and specialised or disability car seats.
• A plan variation is a small update to your child's current NDIS plan. It's quick, and the rest of the plan stays as it is.
• A plan reassessment is a full review of the whole plan. Every budget gets looked at again.
Here's the change. Our AT professional association, ARATA, meets directly with the NDIA (the agency that runs the NDIS). Their latest update tells us a plan variation will no longer be used to add AT funding mid-plan if the need wasn't raised at your last planning meeting. Instead, the request triggers a full reassessment.
A reassessment can lead to changes in other parts of your child's plan too, including therapy funding. That's why it pays to get ahead of it.
Four things you can do now
1. Talk about equipment at every planning meeting
Even if your child's current gear works fine today, ask yourself: will they outgrow it in the next 12 months? Prams, highchairs and car seats are the big ones. If the answer is maybe, say so at the meeting. Has your therapy team been suggesting a walker, first communication device or supportive seat? Let the planner know, even if you’re not sure which equipment solution you will end up with.
2. You don't need the exact product yet
This one surprises lots of families. You can tell the planner your child is likely to need equipment without knowing the brand or model. Getting the need on the record is what counts. Then, when the time comes, the equipment can be added with a simple plan variation. It is helpful to know the approx cost - low (under $1500), mid-cost ($1500-$15,000) or high-cost (over $15,000) of each item.
3. Book a pre-planning chat with your OT
Your OT knows your child's body, growth and goals. A quick chat before your planning meeting helps you name what's coming. We love these conversations. They save so much stress later.
4. Already mid-plan? Bring evidence for everything
If your child needs equipment now and it wasn't raised at planning, don't panic. You can ask for a plan reassessment to have this added. Ask your therapy team for a report that covers your child's whole picture, not just the equipment. Strong evidence helps protect the rest of the plan when it's reviewed.
Take this with you
We've put everything here onto a free one-page guide. Therapists, download it and share it with your families. Families outside the Sunshine Coast, or working with another therapy team, print it and take it along to your next session or planning meeting.
Download the free one-page guide
We're in your corner
Kids grow. Watching it happen is one of the best parts of our job! It's also the most predictable thing about childhood, so let's plan for it together.
If your family is on the Sunshine Coast and you'd like help preparing for your next planning meeting, or working out what NDIS equipment your child might need, reach out to the Kids + Co.Lab team. We'd love to chat.
Get in touch with Kids + Co.Lab
A quick note: this information was correct at the time of writing (October 2026). With everything NDIS, things change regularly, and different NDIA staff can interpret the rules differently. Please check with your planner or therapy team about your child's situation before making decisions.