If you or someone you care for has a disability that makes navigating stairs difficult, a stairlift can be a life-changing addition to the home. The good news is that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can fund stairlifts for eligible participants — and as an NDIS registered provider, Bespoke Mobility helps people across NSW access this funding every day.
This guide walks you through who's eligible, how the process works, and what to expect from start to finish.
Can the NDIS Pay for a Stairlift?
Yes. Stairlifts fall under the NDIS category of Home Modifications, which sits within Capital Supports in your NDIS plan. A stairlift may be funded when your disability prevents you from safely using stairs, there is no simpler or lower-cost alternative that would meet your needs, and an occupational therapist recommends the modification as reasonable and necessary.
The NDIS considers stairlifts a Complex Home Modification, which means the approval process involves an occupational therapy assessment, a written recommendation, and a quote from a NDIS registered provider.
Who Is Eligible?
To access NDIS funding for a stairlift in NSW, you need to be an NDIS participant under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability that affects your mobility. You must have Capital Supports funding in your NDIS plan, or the ability to request a plan review to include it. The stairlift needs to be recommended by a qualified occupational therapist as a reasonable and necessary support.
It's worth noting that if you are agency-managed, you must use an NDIS registered provider for the supply and installation. If you are plan-managed or self-managed, you have more flexibility in choosing your provider — but using a registered provider like Bespoke Mobility ensures the process runs smoothly and meets all NDIS requirements.
The Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Occupational Therapy Assessment
An occupational therapist (OT) will visit the home to assess your mobility needs and the staircase. They will evaluate how your disability impacts your ability to use the stairs safely, whether a stairlift is the most appropriate solution compared to alternatives like relocating living areas to one floor, and the specific requirements of the staircase including measurements, configuration, and whether a straight or curved stairlift is needed.
If you don't already have an OT, your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager can help you find one. We also work closely with OTs across NSW and can suggest professionals who are experienced in home modification assessments.
Step 2: OT Recommendation Report
The OT will prepare a written report recommending the stairlift as a reasonable and necessary support. This report is a critical part of the approval process and will outline why the stairlift is needed, the type of stairlift recommended, and how it supports your NDIS goals around independence and safety at home.
Step 3: Quote From an NDIS Registered Provider
This is where Bespoke Mobility comes in. We will assess the staircase, recommend the right stairlift model for your home, and provide a detailed quote that meets NDIS requirements. We supply and install both straight and curved stairlifts, including the Synergy Straight Stairlift and the Infinity Curved Stairlift, both manufactured by Bespoke Stairlifts in the UK.
Our quotes include supply of the stairlift, professional installation, a 2-year manufacturer warranty covering parts and labour, and a full demonstration and handover so you feel confident using the stairlift from day one.
Step 4: Approval
Your Plan Manager or the NDIA (for agency-managed participants) will review the OT report and our quote. For Complex Home Modifications costing over $15,000, additional approval steps may be required, and modifications over $30,000 require an NDIS-registered Building Works Project Manager.
Most stairlift approvals in our experience take between 2 and 6 weeks depending on the complexity and the participant's plan management type.
Step 5: Installation
Once approved, we schedule the installation at a time that works for you. For straight stairlifts, installation is typically completed within a few hours. Curved stairlifts require a custom-manufactured rail to match your staircase, so there is a manufacturing lead time before installation day. On the day, our technicians will install the stairlift, test it thoroughly, and walk you through how to use it safely.
How Much Does an NDIS-Funded Stairlift Cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of stairlift and the staircase configuration. As a general guide, straight stairlifts in Australia typically range from around $4,500 to $8,000, while curved stairlifts range from approximately $13,000 to $18,000 or more depending on the complexity of the staircase.
When funded through the NDIS, the cost is covered by the Capital Supports budget in your plan, meaning there is generally no out-of-pocket cost to the participant provided the stairlift has been approved as reasonable and necessary.
What If I Don't Have Capital Supports in My Plan?
If your current NDIS plan doesn't include Capital Supports for home modifications, you can request a plan review. This is common — many participants don't have this funding in their initial plan because the need for a stairlift or home modification wasn't identified at the time. Your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager can help you request a review, and the OT's recommendation report will support the case for including this funding.
Other Funding Options in NSW
The NDIS isn't the only pathway to funding a stairlift in NSW. Other options include My Aged Care Home Care Packages for Australians over 65 receiving government-funded home care, EnableNSW through icare for people who have been seriously injured in a workplace or road accident in NSW, the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Rehabilitation Appliances Program for eligible veterans, and private purchase with flexible payment options.
If you're unsure which funding pathway applies to your situation, give us a call and we can help you work out the best option.
Where We Service in NSW
Bespoke Mobility provides stairlift installation across all of NSW, including Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney, Hills District, Sutherland Shire, Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter region, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, and the South Coast.
We are based in both Queensland and New South Wales, and our team regularly services clients throughout metro and regional NSW.
How Bespoke Mobility Can Help
As an NDIS registered provider with over 18 years of experience, we handle the entire process from initial assessment through to installation and ongoing servicing. We are the exclusive Australian distributor of Bespoke Stairlifts, the UK's leading stairlift manufacturer and winner of Stairlift Manufacturer of the Year 2023.
We work directly with your OT, Support Coordinator, and Plan Manager to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Our goal is to make it easy for you to get the stairlift you need without the stress of navigating the NDIS process alone.
Get Started
If you're an NDIS participant in NSW and you think a stairlift could help you live more independently at home, we'd love to hear from you. Call us on 1300 495 572 or fill in our contact form for a free, no-obligation assessment.
Not sure if you're eligible? That's okay — call us anyway and we'll help you work it out.