“How much will it cost?” is one of the first questions people ask about home modifications. The honest answer has two parts, because there are really two costs involved: the occupational therapy assessment, and the modifications themselves. This guide explains both in plain English, and how each is usually funded under the NDIS.
As always, nothing here is a guarantee of funding. What the NDIS pays for depends on your plan and a “reasonable and necessary” decision. Check with your support coordinator or planner, and confirm current figures against the official NDIS guidance.
The two costs to understand
- 1. The OT assessment that recommends the modifications.
- 2. The modifications themselves (the equipment and installation).
These are funded from different parts of your plan, which trips a lot of people up.
Cost 1: the occupational therapy assessment
An OT assessment is charged by the hour, not as a flat fee. In 2026-27 the NDIS occupational therapy price is $193.99 per hour nationally, and your total depends on how many hours the assessment and report take. A simple grab-rail recommendation takes less time than a complex, multi-room modification plan.
Importantly, the OT assessment is usually funded from your Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget, not from the home modifications budget. For a fuller breakdown of how OT time is priced, see how much an NDIS occupational therapy assessment costs.
Cost 2: the modifications themselves
There is no fixed price for a home modification, because it depends entirely on the work involved. The cost is set by a quote from the builder or installer, and it is funded from the Capital Supports (home modifications) part of your plan if the NDIS agrees it is reasonable and necessary.
The NDIS groups minor home modifications by cost:
- Category A – minor modifications costing under $10,000.
- Category B – minor modifications costing between $10,000 and $20,000, or minor changes to a bathroom floor.
Anything above $20,000, or that is structural, is generally treated as a complex home modification with a different process. For more on that line, see minor vs complex home modifications and what minor home modifications the NDIS may fund.
What affects the cost
- How many changes you need (one grab rail vs a full bathroom rework).
- The type of modification (a portable ramp costs less than fixed structural work).
- Your home’s layout and access, which affects installation.
- Products chosen, where there are options that meet the same need.
Will it come out of my own pocket?
If a modification is funded in your plan, it is generally paid from your NDIS funding, not your own pocket. The published costs and category limits are about how the NDIS classifies and funds the work, not a bill you personally pay. If a modification is not funded, your provider should be upfront about that before any work goes ahead.
How to get an accurate cost
- Have an OT assessment. The occupational therapist identifies what changes will genuinely help.
- Get builder or installer quotes for the recommended work, which the OT report can include.
- Submit to the NDIS so it can be considered against the reasonable and necessary criteria.
If you are in Liverpool or Western Sydney and would like an OT to assess your home and prepare the report, our team is happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a minor home modification cost under the NDIS?
Minor home modifications cost up to $20,000. Category A is under $10,000 and Category B is between $10,000 and $20,000. The exact cost comes from a quote for the specific work.
Does the NDIS pay for the occupational therapy assessment too?
The OT assessment is usually funded from your Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) budget, separate from the home modifications budget. It is charged at the OT hourly rate, $193.99 in 2026-27.
Why is there no fixed price for home modifications?
Because the cost depends on the specific work. A single grab rail is very different from a modified bathroom, so the price comes from a builder or installer quote for your situation.
Will I have to pay for modifications myself?
If the modification is funded in your plan, it is generally paid from your NDIS funding, not your own pocket. A good provider will tell you before any work if something is not funded.
Sources
- NDIS, Guide to home modifications and How do we fund home modifications, ndis.gov.au / ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au.
- NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 (occupational therapy hourly rate), ndis.gov.au.
- Provider guidance on minor home modification cost categories, accessed 18 July 2026.