Can NDIS Help With Moving House?
Moving house is stressful for anyone. For people living with a disability, the process can be physically, emotionally, and financially harder. If you’re on an NDIS plan, you may be wondering whether the National Disability Insurance Scheme can help cover some of the costs.
The short answer is that it depends on your situation. The NDIS doesn’t automatically fund moving costs for every participant, but there are circumstances where you can access support. Below, we break down what the NDIS will and won’t pay for, how to talk to your planner about a move, how to choose an NDIS removalist, and practical tips to make moving day easier.
What the NDIS covers when you move house
The NDIS treats most moving costs as everyday expenses. These are the kind of expenses that everyone pays, whether or not they have a disability. What this means is that a general move across town or interstate won’t usually qualify for funding on its own.
However, the NDIS may fund moving-related costs if your move is directly connected to your disability needs. This typically applies when your current home can’t be modified to suit your disability, or when modifications would cost more than relocating to an accessible property.
If the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) agrees that moving is the most practical option, funding could cover:
- NDIS removalist services and transport of your belongings
- Packing and unpacking support
- Storage costs during the transition
- Bond cleaning at the end of a rental tenancy
- Modifications to make your new home accessible
For renters, the NDIS may also fund the costs involved in moving to a more accessible rental property. For homeowners, it may contribute to some of the costs of selling and buying a more suitable home.
However, you have to remember that every decision is made case by case. The NDIA looks at whether the move is “reasonable and necessary” and whether it represents good value compared to modifying your current home.
What the NDIS won’t pay for
There are limits. The NDIS will not fund the purchase of a house or land, rent or rental bonds, mortgage repayments, stamp duty, strata fees, or home and property deposits.
It also won’t cover moving costs that aren’t related to your disability. If you’re moving for personal preference, such as to be closer to family, or for a bigger backyard, those costs will be your responsibility.
The NDIS also can’t fund crisis or emergency accommodation. If you need to leave your home urgently due to safety concerns, contact an emergency housing service in your state first. You can then request an urgent plan reassessment from the NDIA if your current plan no longer meets your needs.
How to request NDIS moving support
If you believe your move is linked to your disability needs, there’s a process to follow. And the earlier you start, the better the chances of you getting the right support in place before moving day.
Talk to your NDIS planner or support coordinator
Your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is the first point of contact. Let them know you’re considering a move and explain why your current home isn’t meeting your disability-related needs. But be specific. Describe the barriers you face daily, whether that’s stairs you can’t manage, a bathroom you can’t use safely, or doorways that are too narrow for a wheelchair.
If you don’t have a support coordinator, your planner can help you understand your options. You can also contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110.
Get a home modification assessment
Before the NDIA will consider funding a move, you’ll usually need an assessment from a home modification assessor. Typically, this would be an occupational therapist who specialises in disability-related housing needs. They can identify what changes your current home would need and provide evidence if those changes aren’t practical or cost-effective.
This assessment does two things. It shows the NDIA that you’ve explored alternatives to moving, and it gives them the evidence they need to justify the cost. If your assessor concludes that relocation is the better option, include their report with your funding request.
Collect quotes and submit them together
Once you have your assessment, gather quotes for the services you’ll need. This might include NDIS removalists, packing, storage, cleaning, and any modifications that need to be made to the new property. Submit these alongside the assessment report so the NDIA can review the full picture at once.
Getting a detailed removalist quote helps here. At Fragile Removals, every quote breaks down labour hours, travel time, truck size, and any extras, so you can present clear costs to your planner with no surprises.
Moving tips for NDIS participants
Whether your move is NDIS-funded or not, a few practical steps can take real pressure off the process. This is especially true when you’re managing a disability alongside the chaos of packing and relocating.
Start planning early
Give yourself as much lead time as you can. Six to eight weeks is a comfortable window for most moves, but NDIS participants may need longer. Particularly if you’re waiting on plan reviews, assessor reports, or modifications to a new property.
Write a checklist. Make notes about deadlines for things like notifying your energy provider, redirecting your mail, updating your address with Centrelink and Medicare, and booking removalists. Our moving house checklist is a good place to start.
Get your furniture and equipment sorted
This is the stage where NDIS moves differ from a standard house move. You may have specialised equipment, such as hospital beds, hoists, standing frames, mobility scooters, or assistive technology, and they all need careful handling during transport.
Make a separate inventory of disability-related items and flag them with your removalist. These items often need specific wrapping, secure loading positions in the truck, and sometimes disassembly and reassembly at the other end. Letting your removalist know in advance means the crew arrives with the right tools and packing materials.
If any of your furniture or equipment was funded through your NDIS plan, check whether you need to update your plan or notify your provider about the change of address.
Pack with your daily needs in mind
Pack an essentials bag or box. This should have everything you’ll need for the first 24 to 48 hours in your new home. For NDIS participants, this might include medications, continence aids, communication devices, chargers for powered equipment, a change of clothes, bedding, and any items your support worker will need access to on arrival.
Label it clearly and keep it with you (not on the truck). If you rely on mobility aids during the day, make sure they’re the last things loaded and the first things unloaded.
Our guide on protecting fragile items has more advice on wrapping and labelling.
Choose an NDIS removalist who understands disability needs
Not every moving company is set up to handle NDIS-related moves. Look for one that can provide a clear, itemised quote you can submit to the NDIA, has experience moving medical and mobility equipment, uses trucks with hydraulic lifts for heavy or bulky items, and can coordinate timing with your support workers.
It’s worth asking your support coordinator or planner if they’ve worked with particular NDIS removalists before. A recommendation from someone in the disability sector can save time and avoid misunderstandings on the day.
Prepare your new home before you arrive
If your new property needs modifications like ramps, grab rails, wider doorways, or accessible bathroom fittings, try to get these done before moving day. Moving into an unfinished space adds stress and risk, especially if the modifications affect areas you use daily.
If modifications can’t be completed before you move, talk to your support coordinator about temporary arrangements. You might be able to access short-term accommodation through your NDIS plan while the work is finished.
How Fragile Removals supports NDIS participants
Fragile Removals & Storage has been helping Australians move for more than 20 years. We’re AFRA-accredited, we use in-house staff only, and we operate across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth, with over 6,000 relocations completed every year.
We’ve worked with many NDIS participants and their support coordinators over the years, and our crews are experienced NDIS removalists. That means they understand the extra care that goes into an NDIS move, from handling mobility equipment and hospital beds to coordinating with carers and support workers on timing.
Every quote we provide details labour, travel, truck size, and optional extras like packing and storage in plain language. That means you get a document you can hand straight to your NDIS planner without needing to reformat or explain it.
If you’re planning a move and want to discuss your situation, talk to our team. We’ll walk you through timing, costs, and what to expect on the day.
Get a free quote or call 1800 500 584.
Frequently asked questions about moving house and the NDIS
Can the NDIS pay for a removalist?
The NDIS doesn’t usually cover removalist costs, because moving counts as a general living expense. However, if your move is directly related to your disability the NDIA may fund removalist services as part of a broader relocation package. Check with your NDIS planner before committing to a move.
What should I include in my NDIS moving funding request?
Include a home modification assessment from a qualified occupational therapist, quotes for removalist services, packing, storage, and cleaning, and a written explanation of why your current home doesn’t meet your disability needs. Submitting everything together gives the NDIA a complete picture and speeds up the decision.
Does the NDIS cover storage costs when moving?
Storage may be covered if it’s a reasonable and necessary part of a disability-related move. For example, if there’s a gap between leaving your current home and your new property being ready. Discuss storage needs with your planner early so it can be included in your plan.
How do I find an NDIS removalist?
Look for a removalist with experience moving medical and mobility equipment, who provides itemised quotes suitable for NDIS submissions. Ask your support coordinator for recommendations. Fragile Removals has worked as an NDIS removalist across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth for more than 20 years.
