NDIS, DVA and Aged Care Funding for an E-trike
The short answer: some people use NDIS funding for an adaptive trike, but there is no automatic yes. A standard electric bike or trike is on the NDIS list of supports it does not fund. An adapted trike that meets a disability-related need can be considered. The NDIA decides each case against your plan. We will never tell you a trike "qualifies", because only the NDIA can say that.
What we can do is make the process easier: a written quote for your planner, a test ride with your OT, and honest advice about which model fits.
NDIS: what the rules say
What the NDIS does not fund. The official list of supports that are not NDIS supports includes standard bikes and recreational vehicles, personal mobility devices including electric bikes, and devices that are not legal to use in your state or territory.
What it can fund. The NDIS can fund "assistive equipment for recreation", which includes modifying personal recreation equipment, and "personal mobility equipment" that supports or replaces your ability to get around. It does not fund general items everyone needs, but it may fund the extra cost of adapting an item for your disability.
Every support must be reasonable and necessary. In plain terms it must:
- relate to your disability
- help you pursue the goals in your plan
- support your participation in the community
- be value for money compared with other options
- be likely to work and benefit you
- not be something family or the community would reasonably provide
Assistive technology cost levels. Most of our trikes fall in the mid-cost level.
| Cost per item | NDIS level | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1,500 | Low cost | Usually no written advice, if the item is low risk |
| $1,500 to $15,000 | Mid cost | Written advice from an allied health professional or assistive technology advisor (a letter, email or report) with a cost estimate |
| Over $15,000 | High cost | An assessment report from a qualified assessor and usually a quote. A trial may be needed |
Mobility devices can count as higher-risk assistive technology, which needs written advice whatever the price.
Source: ndis.gov.au, "How to buy mid-cost or high-cost assistive technology" and "What are NDIS supports", read 27 October 2026.
Veterans (DVA) and aged care (Support at Home)
DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). Items are prescribed by your GP, specialist or allied health provider and approved by DVA. A shop cannot sell to you through RAP directly. The current RAP schedule (1 November 2025) has no tricycle or bicycle item. Your health provider can ask DVA to review an item that is not on the schedule, with a clinical reason and a supplier quote. We can supply that quote.
Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages). The assistive technology and home modifications list (updated 17 July 2026) excludes cycles, including tricycles and cycle adaptations. On the current list, Support at Home cannot fund a trike.
Source: dva.gov.au RAP schedule (November 2025) and health.gov.au AT-HM list (17 July 2026), read 27 October 2026.
How you pay us
How you buy depends on how your NDIS plan is managed.
| Your plan is | Can you buy from Ridewave? | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Self-managed | Yes | You pay us and claim the cost back through the myNDIS portal or app. Keep your tax invoice |
| Plan-managed | Yes | We send a tax invoice to your plan manager, who pays it |
| NDIA-managed (agency-managed) | Not yet | Agency-managed plans must use a registered NDIS provider. Ridewave is not a registered NDIS provider yet, and our registration is in progress |
Five steps if you are asking for funding
- Talk to your OT or physio. Ask whether a trike suits your goals and what features you need: step-through height, seat and backrest, speed limits, or a lower assist level.
- Try before you decide. Bring your OT, physio or support worker to a test ride at our Vermont, Girraween or Marrickville showroom.
- Get a written quote from us. It lists the model, specifications, price, delivery, assembly and handover, ready for your OT's letter or your planner.
- Your OT writes the supporting letter, and your plan manager or planner tells you whether funding is available.
- We deliver and set it up, and show you or your carer how to ride, fold and charge it.
How Ridewave helps
- Written quotes and tax invoices with our ABN (93 640 297 963) and full specifications.
- Test rides with your OT or support worker at three showrooms.
- Every Ridewave trike folds and has a low-step frame.
- Platypus, our semi-recumbent trike, has a seat with a backrest, fits riders from 150 to 190 cm, and has a maximum total load of 120 kg.
- A phone call to talk it through: 0468 095 888.
Before you buy: check the law in your state
The NDIS does not fund devices that are not legal to use where you live. Check the power and speed rules for your state on our e-bike laws by state pages.
Questions to ask your planner or OT
- Does a trike fit a goal already in my plan?
- Is this a modification or adaptation for my disability, or standard equipment?
- Which budget would it come from, and is the money already in my plan?
- What written evidence do you need from my OT, and do you need our quote first?
- If my plan is NDIA-managed, do I have to use a registered provider?
Common questions
Is a Ridewave trike NDIS approved?
No product is "NDIS approved". The NDIA decides whether a support is reasonable and necessary for you. Be wary of any seller who promises approval.
Can I use my Home Care Package or Support at Home funding?
Home Care Packages were replaced by Support at Home in 2025. The current Support at Home assistive technology list excludes tricycles.
Will DVA pay for a trike?
Tricycles are not on the current RAP schedule. Ask your GP or OT whether DVA would consider one for your clinical needs. If they request it, we can supply a quote.
Do I need a quote before my OT writes a letter?
For mid-cost items, an estimate is usually enough. For items over $15,000, the NDIS usually asks for a quote. We are happy to provide one either way.
Are you a registered NDIS provider?
Not yet. Our registration is in progress. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can still buy from us.
Funding rules change. This page was checked against ndis.gov.au, dva.gov.au and health.gov.au on 27 October 2026. It is general information, not advice about your plan.