NDIS Funding and Pet Insurance for Assistance Animals

For many people with disability, an assistance animal is much more than a companion.

They support independence, safety and confidence in daily life. 

Under the NDIS, accredited assistance animals can be funded as assistive technology if they are considered reasonable and necessary to support your goals. 

When it comes to pet insurance, however, the rules are different. Here’s what you need to know. 

What does the NDIS usually cover? 

If your assistance animal is approved in your plan, the NDIS may fund costs that are directly linked to your disability support needs. This can include: 

• Assessments to match the animal with you 

• The cost of acquiring and training the animal 

• Any equipment the animal needs to do its job, such as harness 

• Ongoing maintenance costs 

The NDIS generally expects an assistance animal to have a working life of at least 6.5 years. During this time, it may fund ongoing maintenance that keeps the animal healthy and able to perform its tasks. This may include food, grooming, flea and worm treatments, medication, vaccinations, vet services and yearly reviews with the assistance animal provider. These costs are usually reviewed at your plan reassessment. 

If your assistance animal becomes sick or injured, the vet services can be funded under the NDIS where they are considered reasonable and necessary. However, you should contact your NDIS planner as soon as possible because in many cases, this requires a plan review, which can take time. Vet clinics often require payment upfront, and delays in funding approval can create financial pressure. 

This is one reason some people consider pet insurance, as it may help cover immediate costs while funding decisions are being finalised.  

Does the NDIS pay for pet insurance? 

Unfortunitly NOT. Pet insurance is considered a personal expense. It is not funded under the NDIS, even if your assistance animal is included in your plan. 

This means if you choose to take out pet insurance, you will need to pay the premiums yourself. 

This can sometimes come as a surprise, especially since an assistance animal plays such an important role in your life. However, the NDIS separates disability-related supports from general animal health and insurance costs. 

Should you consider pet insurance? 

Even though the NDIS does not pay for pet insurance, many handlers still choose to take out a policy. 

Assistance animals work in busy environments such as shopping centres, public transport, and community spaces. Like any animal, they can become sick or injured. Pet insurance can help cover unexpected accidents and injuries, illnesses, and some breed-specific conditions that fall outside NDIS supports. 

For example, pet insurance may assist with the cost of treating skin, ear or eye infections, stomach issues, or emergency surgery after an accident, which may not be considered “reasonable and necessary” under NDIS criteria. 

Some participants prefer to set aside savings for unexpected vet bills. Others prefer the peace of mind that insurance can provide, especially as emergency veterinary care can be expensive. It is a personal choice and not mandatory. 

What if your assistance animal cannot work as expected?

Your assistance animal provider is responsible for supplying a properly trained and qualified animal. If your assistance animal is not performing the tasks it was trained to do, contact your provider directly. Your service agreement should outline any guarantees or warranties. 

You have rights under Australian Consumer Law if the service does not meet expected standards. This is separate from NDIS funding and also separate from pet insurance. 

What happens when your assistance animal retires? 

Assistance animals retire when they can no longer work at full capacity due to age or illness. When this happens, the NDIS does not automatically fund a new assistance animal. At your plan reassessment, the NDIA will consider whether you still need an assistance animal and meet the funding criteria. You may need to provide updated evidence. 

If there is a gap while you wait for a new assistance animal, you can speak with the NDIA about temporary supports. These could include short-term assistive technology or capacity building supports. 

If you decide to keep your retired assistance animal as a pet, the ongoing costs at that point are your responsibility. They are no longer funded by the NDIS. 

In Summary 

If you have, or are considering, an assistance animal in your NDIS plan, it is important to understand what is and is not covered. 

The NDIS may fund approved disability-related supports for your assistance animal. However, it does not cover pet insurance premiums or general insurance policies. If you decide to have pet insurance, it sits outside your NDIS plan and is paid privately. 

If you are unsure how this applies to your plan, speak with your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager. We can help you understand what can and cannot be claimed, so you can make informed decisions about the best way to protect your assistance animal and your partnership together. 

For more information, you can read the NDIA’s Our Guidelines under Assistance animals including dog guides.