Can NDIS funds hire or trial a robotic pet?
NDIS rental and trial rules for low-cost and mid-cost assistive technology in 2026, and when buying a robotic cat or pup outright costs less than hiring.
Yes, NDIS funding can pay to rent or trial assistive technology, but that money sits in the Capital assistive technology budget and needs written advice from an assistive technology advisor. It does not come from Consumables. For a companion cat or pup, which retail at $259 to $300 and $269 to $315, buying outright as low-cost AT is usually simpler and cheaper than hiring. A funded trial, or a trial-to-buy deal with the supplier, makes more sense for a mid-cost robot such as PARO, listed from $6,500.
When does the NDIS say renting makes sense?
The NDIS page on how to rent assistive technology gives five situations where renting may be the better choice. Here is how each one applies to a robotic pet.
| NDIS reason to rent | How it applies to a robotic pet |
|---|---|
| The item is for a child who is likely to outgrow it soon | A robotic pet does not need resizing. Interest, not size, is the risk with a child |
| The person’s needs are changing quickly | Can apply to progressive conditions, where a pet that suits now may not suit in a year |
| The item is needed only for a short time, such as while a regular item is repaired | Rarely relevant |
| The person wants a long trial before deciding | The main reason to rent a high-priced robot such as PARO |
| Renting is better value than buying | Unlikely for an item priced under the low-cost limit, as the table further down shows |
For participants with multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease or Huntington’s disease, our page on robotic pets for MS, MND and Huntington’s disease covers choosing a pet as needs change.
Where does rental and trial funding sit in a plan?
The NDIS separates buying low-cost AT from renting or trialling AT.
| What you want to do | Budget | What the NDIS needs first |
|---|---|---|
| Buy a low-risk item under $1,500 | Consumables, in the core budget | Nothing, if funds are available |
| Rent or trial, with rental funding already in the plan | Assistive technology maintenance, repair and rental budget | Written advice from an AT advisor |
| Rent or trial, with no rental funding yet | Capital assistive technology budget, once the NDIS approves it | Written advice, given to the NDIS to add the funding |
| Rent or trial an item over $15,000 | Capital assistive technology budget | A quote and an assessment from an AT assessor |
The NDIS page on how to trial assistive technology says existing rental funding can pay for a short trial if the participant already uses assistive technology. If you think you will need mid-cost or high-cost AT, a planner can include funding in the capacity building improved daily living budget for advice from an AT advisor.
What evidence does the NDIS ask for?
The written advice for a rental has to come from an assistive technology advisor, usually an allied health practitioner such as an OT. It must say:
- what type of item is needed
- why it needs to be rented
- how it will help with the person’s disability support needs
- how long it will be rented for
- why renting is the best value way to pursue the person’s goals
- how much it might cost to rent
A cost estimate is enough for items under $15,000. For a mid-cost trial between $1,500 and that figure, the NDIS needs no quote, only the written advice. The NDIS also publishes a guide for minor trial and rental funding that sets out how much it can fund for mid-cost trials. Our page for OTs and therapists has product details for the advisor writing the advice.
Buy or hire: the numbers for common robotic pets
| Product | Listed purchase price | NDIS cost band | Usual route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companion cat | $259 to $300 | Low-cost | Buy from Consumables |
| Companion pup | $269 to $315 | Low-cost | Buy from Consumables |
| MetaCat | $349 to $399 | Low-cost | Buy from Consumables |
| PARO | From $6,500 | Mid-cost | Funded trial or rental with written advice, then buy if funding is in the plan |
Purchase prices are Australian retail listings and include GST. Suppliers set their own hire rates, so get any hire price in a written quote. To compare the two, divide the purchase price by the weekly hire fee. That gives the number of weeks after which hiring has cost more than buying. If a supplier quoted a weekly fee of one tenth of the purchase price, hire would overtake buying in the eleventh week, before you add delivery and return freight, cleaning charges or a bond.
For a pet under the low-cost limit, renting also means written advice and possibly a plan change, for an item a participant could otherwise buy without asking the NDIS first. Our product picks page lists current prices, and the GST guide explains how tax appears on the invoice.
PARO and other mid-cost robots
PARO is listed from $6,500, which puts it above the $1,500 low-cost limit and inside the mid-cost band. A trial is the realistic first step:
- The AT advisor writes advice covering the item, the reason for the trial, how it helps, how long it runs and the likely trial cost.
- The NDIS adds trial funding to the Capital AT budget once it approves the item and cost, unless rental funding is already in the plan.
- Some providers offer trial-to-buy arrangements. The NDIS suggests asking whether the trial cost will come off the price if you buy the item afterwards.
- If the robot suits, the advisor can provide a letter or report supporting the purchase. A mid-cost item can then be bought if the plan already has funding for it.
- If it does not suit, contact the provider to arrange its return.
Who can you rent from, and what happens at the end?
The rental page says NDIA-managed participants must use a registered NDIS provider, while plan-managed participants can rent from any supplier. If you are not sure which applies, our comparison of registered and unregistered suppliers lists questions for your plan manager.
Read the rental agreement before signing. Rented equipment goes back to the supplier when the agreement ends, so make sure there is funding for a longer rental, or funding to buy, if the person will need the item long term. For needs that change quickly, the NDIS says rental through a subscription service is sometimes an option worth discussing with a support coordinator or AT advisor.
Questions to ask a supplier about hire and trial-to-buy
- What is the weekly or monthly hire fee, and is there a minimum term?
- Is there a bond, and when is it returned?
- Who pays delivery and return freight?
- Will any trial or hire fees come off the price if we buy?
- Who covers damage, wear and battery replacement during the hire?
- Is the unit cleaned between hirers, and how?
- Are you a registered NDIS provider, and will you invoice the plan manager?
What to do next
If buying outright suits, read how to claim a robotic pet from Consumables. If a trial or hire is the better route, ask for a quote that shows hire, trial and purchase prices side by side and tell us how the plan is managed.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use my Consumables budget to hire a robotic pet?
No. The NDIS treats renting and trialling assistive technology separately from buying low-cost items. Rental and trial costs come from the Capital assistive technology budget, either the maintenance, repair and rental part already in your plan or new funding the NDIS adds once it approves the item.
- Do I need an OT's written advice to rent assistive technology?
Yes. Written advice from an assistive technology advisor is needed before the NDIS funds a rental. The advisor is often an occupational therapist, and the advice covers the item, why renting suits, how it helps, how long the rental runs and the likely cost.
- Can a trial fee come off the purchase price?
Sometimes. The NDIS notes that some providers offer trial-to-buy arrangements and suggests asking whether the trial cost will be taken off the price if you go on to buy the item. Get the answer in writing before the trial starts.
- Can NDIA-managed participants hire from any supplier?
No. If your funding is NDIA-managed, the rental must come from a registered NDIS provider. Plan-managed participants can rent from any supplier, and the plan manager pays the invoice.
- What happens at the end of a rental agreement?
The item goes back to the supplier. If the person will need it for longer, make sure the plan has funding to extend the rental or to buy the item before the agreement ends, and check who pays for return freight and cleaning.