Reasonable and Necessary Support Needs Calculator
This tool helps estimate whether a support need is likely to meet the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria under Section 34 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, and provides an indicative weekly funding allocation based on functional capacity, support frequency, and intensity.
Formulas Used
Reasonable & Necessary Assessment (s.34 NDIS Act 2013):
All five criteria must be satisfied (binary AND logic):
R&N = C1 ∧ C2 ∧ C3 ∧ C4 ∧ C5
where C1 = disability-related, C2 = effective & beneficial, C3 = value for money,
C4 = informal support not available, C5 = not another system's responsibility.
Weekly Cost:
Weekly Cost = Hours per Session × Sessions per Week × Hourly Rate × Intensity Multiplier
Annual Cost:
Annual Cost = Weekly Cost × Weeks per Year
Intensity Multipliers: Level 1 = 1.00, Level 2 = 1.10, Level 3 = 1.20, Level 4 = 1.35, Level 5 = 1.50
Indicative Hourly Rates (NDIS Price Guide 2024–25, weekday daytime):
Daily Activities: $67.56/hr | Community Participation: $67.56/hr |
Capacity Building/Therapy: $193.99/hr | Support Coordination: $100.14/hr
Assumptions & References
- Assessment is based on the five criteria in Section 34 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth).
- Hourly rates are indicative weekday daytime rates from the NDIS Support Catalogue and Price Guide 2024–25 (NDIS, July 2024).
- Intensity multipliers are indicative adjustments reflecting increased complexity of support delivery at higher functional impairment levels; they are not official NDIS multipliers.
- This calculator does not account for travel, non-face-to-face time, cancellation policies, or provider-specific pricing within the NDIS price limits.
- Informal support availability is assessed as a binary factor; in practice, the NDIS considers the reasonableness of relying on informal supports (NDIS Operational Guidelines – Reasonable and Necessary Supports).
- Results are indicative only and do not constitute an NDIS planning decision. Participants should consult their NDIS planner, Local Area Coordinator (LAC), or a registered Support Coordinator.
- Reference: National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), s.34; NDIS Price Guide 2024–25; NDIS Operational Guidelines.