For the NDIS, reasonable and necessary means a support relates to the person's disability-related needs and goals, is likely to be effective and value for money, meets the requirements for an NDIS support, and is appropriately funded by the NDIS rather than another system or informal support. An FCA recommendation has to explain how the proposed support meets those tests. The NDIA still makes the decision; the recommendation is evidence for it.
The NDIA makes the funding decision. A clinician's recommendation is evidence for that decision, not an approval.
The main questions
The current NDIS guidance considers matters including whether a support:
- relates to the person's disability-related needs and helps pursue their goals or participation;
- is likely to be effective and beneficial, represents value for money and meets the requirements for an NDIS support;
- is appropriately funded by the NDIS, taking account of other systems and what it is reasonable to expect from family, carers and other informal supports.
The NDIA considers individual supports and how the overall package works together. These points are an overview, not a substitute for the full rules or the requirements applying to a particular plan.
Explain the need and the proposed response
A report should describe the relevant activity and why assistance is needed. It should then explain what the proposed support would do and why that approach is appropriate.
For example, if help with a household task is recommended, the report should identify the difficult steps, existing arrangements, frequency and any relevant alternatives. A statement that assistance would improve quality of life may be true but does not, on its own, explain the particular recommendation.
Where a number of hours or a staffing ratio is recommended, the calculation and assumptions need to be understandable. A requested budget should not determine the findings in advance.
Risk is not the only reason for support
Risk may be relevant, but an assessment should not manufacture a danger narrative for every need. Support may enable participation, maintain an ability or help someone complete an activity with appropriate assistance.
An absence of recent incidents can also reflect effective support. It does not automatically establish that the support can be removed. The report needs to explain the evidence rather than rely on either assumption.
Informal support and other services
The assessment should describe the help already available and whether it can reasonably continue. It should not presume unlimited family availability or promise paid replacement for every gap.
Some needs are responsibilities of health, education, employers or other systems. An FCA can identify a need while explaining that a different funding or service pathway may apply.
Keep the rules current
This explanation is based on official guidance checked on 22 September 2026. NDIS reforms have staged commencement dates, and announced future arrangements should not be described as already applying to every plan.
Before relying on a particular funding argument, check the current official requirements and the decision being made. Adding statutory language to a report does not make an unsupported recommendation stronger.