Getting hearing support through the NDIS doesn't need to be confusing
If you have NDIS funding or may be eligible for government-funded hearing services, we'll help you understand which pathway applies and what you may need before choosing your hearing aids.
- NDIS and HSP explained clearly
- Audiologist-led hearing care
- Remote fitting included with your hearing aids
Which hearing funding pathway applies to you?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction.
This tool is a general guide only. The NDIA and Hearing Services Program determine eligibility and funding.
Are you already an NDIS participant?
Are you eligible for the Australian Government Hearing Services Program?
HSP may apply to people under 26 and certain eligible adults, including some concession card holders, veterans and Australian Defence Force members. Check HSP eligibility
How is the relevant part of your NDIS funding managed?
What are you looking for help with?
Your hearing aids may be funded through the NDIS
For NDIS participants aged 26 and over who are not eligible for the Hearing Services Program, the NDIS may fund reasonable and necessary hearing supports included in the participant's plan.
Your next step is to confirm that the hearing support funding is available in your plan and what evidence or approval is required.
Talk to TellyHearYou may use HSP for primary hearing services and NDIS for additional supports
If you are eligible for the Hearing Services Program, your primary hearing services may be provided through HSP. The NDIS may still fund additional disability-related hearing supports that HSP does not provide.
The same support cannot be funded by both HSP and NDIS.
Help me understand my optionsYou may still have other hearing funding options
Depending on your age and circumstances, you may be eligible for the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Private health insurance and payment plans may also help with eligible hearing aid costs.
Not sure? Start with us.
Tell us a little about your situation and we'll help you work out which questions to ask the NDIS, HSP or your plan manager before you purchase.
Talk to our teamNDIS or HSP: what's the difference?
They are different government programs, and which one applies depends on your circumstances.
NDIS
Your NDIS plan may fund eligible hearing aids and related hearing supports when they meet the NDIS funding requirements.
- Funding must relate to your disability
- Hearing supports are treated as assistive technology
- Evidence or prior approval may be required
HSP
The Hearing Services Program provides subsidised hearing services and approved hearing devices to eligible Australians.
- Some hearing devices are fully subsidised
- Others are partially subsidised, with a gap to pay
- Eligibility is different from the NDIS
Some people can access both programs, but the same hearing support cannot be funded by both at the same time.
Common questions
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is disability-related funding. For eligible participants, it may fund reasonable and necessary hearing supports, including hearing aids, when they meet the NDIS funding requirements and any approval conditions in your plan.
What is the Hearing Services Program (HSP)?
The Australian Government Hearing Services Program provides subsidised hearing services and approved hearing devices to eligible Australians. Some devices are fully subsidised and others are partially subsidised, with a gap to pay.
Can I access both NDIS and HSP?
Sometimes, yes. If you are eligible for HSP, the NDIS may fund additional reasonable and necessary hearing supports that HSP does not provide. The same hearing support cannot be funded by both programs at the same time.
What can NDIS funding go toward for hearing aids?
If they are an approved support in your plan, NDIS funding may go toward eligible hearing devices and certain compatible accessories or assistive listening technology. What is funded is individual and depends on your approved plan.
Using your funding with TellyHear
How your plan is managed affects which providers you can use. Here is how it works and what to have ready.
Self-managed
You can usually choose registered or unregistered providers and manage payment and claims yourself.
Contact us before ordering if you're unsure.
Plan-managed
You can usually use registered or unregistered providers. Your plan manager handles payment from your available funding.
We can provide the purchase information your plan manager needs once our process is confirmed.
NDIA-managed
NDIA-managed funding must be used with a registered NDIS provider.
Contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether TellyHear can accept your funding.
Getting your hearing aids organised
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Tell us how your funding works
Let us know whether you're using NDIS, HSP or you're not sure.
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Choose your hearing aids
We can help you identify suitable hearing aids if you're unsure which model is right for you.
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We provide the information you need
We can provide relevant product and purchase information for your funding pathway.
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Confirm your funding
Where funding approval is required, confirm it before placing your order.
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Order and complete your fitting
Once your hearing aids are ordered, your remote fitting appointment with our audiologist is included.
Confirm funding before you order
Make sure your hearing aid purchase can be paid from your funding before ordering. Do not purchase hearing aids assuming the NDIS will reimburse you afterwards.
How HSP can reduce the cost of hearing aids
HSP does not provide one universal hearing aid rebate. The amount depends on your eligibility and the approved device.
Eligible HSP clients can access approved fully subsidised hearing devices through the program.
For eligible partially subsidised devices, the government contributes toward the device and you pay the remaining difference.
There is not one fixed HSP rebate for every hearing aid. The applicable subsidy depends on the program rules and hearing device.
HSP questions
Am I eligible for HSP?
HSP eligibility depends on your age and circumstances. The Australian Government provides an official eligibility checker, which is the best place to confirm whether you qualify.
Check HSP eligibility on the government siteWho can access HSP?
Community Service Obligations can cover eligible people under 26 through Hearing Australia. The voucher scheme may apply to certain eligible adults, including some concession card holders, veterans and current Australian Defence Force members. Exact eligibility should be checked through the official government service.
How much can HSP save me?
There is not one fixed HSP rebate for every hearing aid. Eligible fully subsidised devices may have no device gap, while partially subsidised devices involve a government contribution and a customer-paid difference. The amount depends on your eligibility, the device and current program rules.
Contact us if you plan to use HSP funding so we can confirm what options are available.
TellyHear support
Not sure what you need? Ask us first.
Government hearing funding can be confusing because the right process depends on your age, eligibility, NDIS plan and the hearing aids you want. Our team can help you work out the next step before you place an order.
Audiology Australia member NDIS and HSP questions
Can NDIS funding pay for hearing aids?
It can in some circumstances. For NDIS participants aged 26 and over who are not eligible for HSP, reasonable and necessary hearing supports may be funded through the NDIS. Funding depends on the participant's plan, needs and the NDIS funding criteria.
I already have NDIS funding. Can I just buy hearing aids and claim them?
Do not assume this. Check that the hearing support is included in your funding and whether evidence, a quote or prior approval is required before you purchase.
Can I use both NDIS and HSP?
Yes, in some circumstances. If you are eligible for HSP, the NDIS may fund additional reasonable and necessary hearing supports that HSP does not provide. The same support cannot be funded by both programs.
Does HSP give everyone the same hearing aid rebate?
No. HSP has fully subsidised and partially subsidised hearing devices. Your costs depend on the device and the applicable program subsidy.
Is HSP just a A$1,000 discount?
No. HSP does not operate as one universal flat A$1,000 rebate. Eligible fully subsidised devices may have no device gap, while partially subsidised devices involve a government contribution and a customer-paid difference.
Can I choose any hearing aid I want with NDIS funding?
Not automatically. The hearing support needs to meet the relevant NDIS funding requirements and any approval conditions in your plan. A more expensive device is not automatically funded simply because it is preferred.
Does an audiologist recommendation guarantee NDIS funding?
No. Clinical evidence can support a request, but the NDIA determines whether a support meets the funding criteria.
Does my level of hearing loss automatically make me eligible for the NDIS?
No single hearing-test number should be presented as guaranteeing NDIS access. Eligibility considers the NDIS age, residency and disability or early-intervention requirements, including the functional impact of a permanent impairment.
I'm under 26. Should I use NDIS or HSP for hearing aids?
Young Australians with hearing loss may be supported through the Hearing Services Program's Community Service Obligations component, delivered by Hearing Australia. NDIS may still fund other eligible disability-related supports depending on the participant's circumstances.
I'm over 65. Can I apply for the NDIS for hearing loss?
New NDIS applicants must be younger than 65 when they apply. People who are already NDIS participants may have different arrangements after turning 65. HSP and aged-care hearing support may also be relevant.
Can TellyHear work with a plan manager?
Plan-managed participants can usually use registered or unregistered providers, with your plan manager handling payment. Talk to our team about your situation before you order.
What if my NDIS funding is NDIA-managed?
NDIA-managed participants must use registered NDIS providers. Contact us before ordering so we can confirm whether we can provide your hearing supports under your current funding arrangement.
Can NDIS pay for hearing aid accessories?
Potentially. Additional assistive technology may be funded when it relates to the participant's disability, meets the NDIS funding criteria and is not more appropriately provided through another program such as HSP.
Let's find your hearing funding pathway
Tell us how your funding works and our team will help you understand the next step before you choose your hearing aids.