Small changes to a home can make a big difference to safety and independence. A grab rail by the shower, a ramp at the front step, or a lever tap in the kitchen can be the difference between managing a daily task or not. If you are an NDIS participant, many of these “minor home modifications” may be funded, depending on your plan and your needs.
This guide explains, in plain English, what counts as a minor home modification, common examples the NDIS may fund, and how the process works. It is written for participants, families and support coordinators.
A quick note on funding: nothing here is a guarantee. Whether a modification is funded depends on your individual situation and a “reasonable and necessary” decision by the NDIS. Always check with your support coordinator or planner, and confirm current details against the official NDIS guidance.
What counts as a minor home modification?
A minor home modification is a change to your home that is generally straightforward and does not alter the structure of the building. In the NDIS system, minor home modifications are those that cost up to $20,000 and do not involve structural change.
They are usually split into two categories:
- Category A minor modifications cost under $10,000.
- Category B minor modifications cost between $10,000 and $20,000, or involve minor changes to a bathroom floor.
If a change is structural, higher risk, or costs more than $20,000, it is usually treated as a complex home modification instead, which follows a different and longer process. We explain the difference in our guide to minor vs complex home modifications.
Examples of minor home modifications the NDIS may fund
Common minor modifications that may be funded, where they relate to your disability and support your goals, include:
- Grab rails and handrails in bathrooms, near toilets, along hallways or at steps. (See our guide to the types of grab rails.)
- Ramps, fixed or portable, for safe access in and out of the home or between levels (generally up to a 1:14 gradient).
- Lever-style taps that are easier to use than traditional taps.
- Slip-resistant flooring to reduce the risk of falls.
- Hand-held showers and simple bathroom fittings that make bathing safer.
- Minor bathroom changes, such as a modified shower area, within the minor cost range.
The aim of all of these is the same: to help you move around your home and manage everyday tasks more safely and independently. Small safety changes at home also connect closely with falls prevention.
Minor vs complex: the $20,000 line
The simplest way to think about it:
- Minor = non-structural, up to $20,000, faster process. Examples: grab rails, ramps, lever taps.
- Complex = structural or higher cost ($20,000+), needs building approvals and certification. Examples: major bathroom renovations, ceiling hoists and tracking, widening doorways that affect structure, lifts.
Complex modifications usually need an occupational therapist with specific home-modification assessor qualifications, working alongside building professionals.
How the funding works
Home modifications are funded from the Capital Supports part of an NDIS plan, under the home modifications category. To be funded, a modification generally needs to be reasonable and necessary, which means it:
- relates directly to your disability,
- represents value for money, and
- is likely to be effective in helping you reach your goals.
One point that surprises people: the occupational therapy assessment that recommends the modification is usually funded from your Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) budget, not from the home modifications capital budget. If you want to understand how OT time is priced, see how much an NDIS occupational therapy assessment costs.
Why an OT report matters
The NDIS generally needs an occupational therapy assessment and report before it will fund a home modification. The report links the recommended changes to your disability and your goals, and sets out the scope of works.
A clear, well-evidenced OT report is often the difference between a smooth approval and a delay. For a deeper look at when a report is needed and what it should include, see our guide on when you need an OT report for minor home modifications.
How to get started
- Talk to your support coordinator or planner about your goals and whether home modifications fit your plan.
- Arrange an occupational therapy assessment. The OT visits your home, looks at how you manage daily tasks, and identifies practical changes.
- The OT prepares a report with recommendations, scope of works and quotes.
- The NDIS considers the request against the reasonable and necessary criteria.
If you are in Liverpool or Western Sydney and would like an occupational therapist to assess your home, our team is happy to help.
Frequently asked questions
What is a minor home modification under the NDIS?
It is a non-structural change to your home that costs up to $20,000, such as grab rails, ramps or lever taps. Changes that are structural or cost more are usually treated as complex modifications.
Does the NDIS pay for grab rails?
Grab rails may be funded where they relate to your disability and support your safety and independence, subject to an OT assessment and a reasonable and necessary decision. Funding is not automatic.
Do I need an occupational therapist for minor home modifications?
Yes, in most cases. The NDIS generally needs an OT assessment and report to recommend the modification and link it to your goals before funding it.
Which budget pays for home modifications?
The modifications are funded from the Capital Supports home modifications budget. The OT assessment is usually funded from Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living).
How much can a minor home modification cost?
By definition, minor home modifications cost up to $20,000. Category A is under $10,000 and Category B is between $10,000 and $20,000.
Sources
- NDIS, Guide to home modifications and What are home modifications, ndis.gov.au.
- NDIS Guidelines, How do we fund home modifications, ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au.
- Provider guidance on minor vs complex home modifications and OT assessment requirements, accessed 18 July 2026.