What the Latest NDIS Reforms Mean for Home Tech Integrators

The integration of smart home technology into disability support has never been more relevant. For years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has partially funded a wide range of assistive technologies, from basic environmental controls to complex home automation systems. But as the scheme evolves, so do the expectations placed on providers, especially those working in and around the built environment. With the latest reforms, passed as the NDIS Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No.1) Act and officially in effect from October 2024, the bar has been raised for how technology supports are assessed, justified, delivered and maintained. And for small, professional integration companies in Australia, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

At the heart of the new legislation is a move toward greater accountability and sustainability. The reforms aim to bring clarity to what can and cannot be funded, ensure that participant plans are consistent and fair, and reduce wasteful or inappropriate spending. To do this, the government has committed to a more prescriptive framework around what counts as a ‘reasonable and necessary’ support. For home technology integrators, this means the days of casually including automation systems under vaguely worded budget lines are over. The new process is about evidence, alignment with disability-related outcomes, and value for money.

This matters, because smart home technology, when applied properly, can offer life-changing benefits for people living with disability. It can reduce reliance on full-time carers, improve personal safety, increase independence, and enable individuals to participate more fully in their homes and communities. But for that technology to be funded, it must now be described, documented and justified in clinical and functional terms. A smart lock is no longer just a convenience; it must be framed as a tool that enables someone with limited mobility to control access to their home. A video intercom system becomes a way for someone with an intellectual disability to communicate safely with visitors. An automated lighting system becomes a means to reduce falls risk for someone with a vision impairment.

This is where many integrators will need to evolve. Success under the new NDIS framework requires an understanding of allied health principles and an ability to speak the language of support plans and functional assessments. That means working closely with occupational therapists (OTs), physiotherapists, and support coordinators not only to identify needs, but to define how those needs are addressed through specific, measurable technology interventions. It’s not enough to say a system ‘improves independence’. You’ll need to demonstrate how it does that, and how the benefit is proportional to the cost.

Take, for example, a scenario where a participant requires assistance with entering and exiting the home. Under the new reforms, a recommendation for an automated front door, paired with a remote-access intercom and app-based monitoring, must be supported by an OT report outlining the participant’s physical limitations, history of support needs, and goals around independent access. The integrator’s role is to provide technical specifications, installation requirements, maintenance details and – crucially – a justification for why the proposed solution is the most efficient and durable option. This may involve comparing the cost of 24/7 staff support versus a one-off investment in automation.

That brings us to another key feature of the reforms: the emphasis on value for money. NDIS planners are being trained to ask whether a support delivers outcomes relative to its cost, and whether other options might be more appropriate. This doesn’t mean going cheap. It means choosing solutions that are scalable, maintainable and clearly linked to the participant’s goals. Integrators who know how to position their systems as long-term enablers will be better placed to win approval and build trust with plan managers.

Another important shift is the introduction of more robust registration and compliance requirements. While the scheme has always had registered and unregistered providers, the reforms signal a tightening of expectations across the board. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is being empowered to monitor, audit and, where necessary, deregister providers who do not meet the standards. This includes not only care providers, but those delivering supports such as assistive technology. Integrators who wish to position themselves as reliable NDIS partners will increasingly need to demonstrate competency, transparency, and a willingness to work within these structures.

That might sound daunting, but it’s also a chance to stand out. The NDIS market has long been plagued by inconsistency. For every skilled professional offering high-quality assistive technology services, there are others installing devices with little understanding of the client’s actual needs, offering no follow-up support, or cutting corners on compliance. As the reforms take hold, clients, carers and allied health professionals will be looking for providers they can trust, especially for complex installations that intersect with safety and wellbeing. Integrators who have strong documentation processes, client service frameworks and a willingness to collaborate will have a clear advantage.

From a practical perspective, the reforms also introduce more detailed planning processes. Participants will work within new ‘NDIS Support Catalogues’, which list approved supports and the conditions under which they can be funded. While this doesn’t mean every piece of technology needs to be pre-approved, it does mean that each item must map clearly to the participant’s plan and goals. For integrators, this requires proactive communication, ensuring you understand the participant’s plan early, coordinating with the OT or support coordinator, and preparing quotes and descriptions that align with the correct support categories. Vague or generic quotes are less likely to be approved. Detailed, targeted proposals complete with justification and outcome language are the new standard.

It’s also worth noting that the reforms touch on broader system efficiency. Planners are being given clearer guidelines for how to assess and approve technology supports, reducing the variance that once existed between different regions or decision-makers. That means fewer grey areas, but also fewer second chances. If a proposal doesn’t tick the right boxes, it’s less likely to be reconsidered. Integrators who take the time to understand the structure of these reforms will be more likely to see their proposals approved the first time.

To succeed in this environment, integrators need to become not just suppliers, but trusted advisors. That means:

• Developing strong relationships with local allied health professionals

• Learning how to document technology outcomes in the language of functional goals

• Creating templated justification documents that can be customised for each proposal

• Training your team on NDIS processes, standards and expectations

• Staying up to date with policy updates and compliance changes

It may also mean considering NDIS provider registration, particularly if you plan to grow or work directly with plan-managed or agency-managed clients. While registration involves additional overhead such as quality audits, policy frameworks and documentation systems, it also opens up a wider client base and positions you as a long-term player in the disability support ecosystem.

But the biggest shift is one of mindset. The NDIS reforms are not designed to make things harder for providers. They are designed to ensure that every dollar spent delivers a measurable benefit to the person receiving support. For smart home integrators, that means a focus on function, not flash. It means understanding that you are not just selling a system—you are delivering an intervention. When you help someone control their lights without help, you’re improving their autonomy. When you install a video intercom for someone who cannot answer the door independently, you’re enhancing their safety. These are outcomes. And that’s what the NDIS now funds.

There’s also a broader context to consider. The disability sector in Australia is under immense pressure to deliver better services, more consistently, and at greater scale. Assistive technology will play a growing role in that effort. Whether it’s enabling people to live independently, reducing the need for in-home support, or supporting better access to education and employment, smart systems will be at the centre of the solution. Integrators who can align with this vision, who can demonstrate impact, collaborate effectively and navigate compliance, will be the ones invited to the table.

So, what do the latest NDIS reforms mean for your integration business?

They mean you need to lift your game. Understand the structure. Learn the language. Document the value. And most of all, build relationships with the people who make the funding decisions. You’re not competing with other integrators. You’re competing with the question, “Is this support really necessary?” If you can answer that clearly and convincingly, you’ll not only survive the changes – you’ll build a business that matters.