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.
Which hearing funding pathway applies to you?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction.
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 teamThis tool is a general guide only. The NDIA and Hearing Services Program determine eligibility and funding.
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.
NDIS or HSP: what's the difference?
They are different government programs, and which one applies depends on your circumstances.
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
Disability support fundingYour 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 (Hearing Services Program)
Government hearing servicesThe 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.
How the two programs work together
If you are navigating hearing support in Australia, you might come across two key government programs. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides disability related funding for eligible participants. When hearing supports are an approved support in your plan, your NDIS funding may go toward reasonable and necessary hearing aids, certain compatible accessories or assistive listening technology. What is funded is individual and depends entirely on your approved plan and its specific conditions.
The Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP) works a little differently, offering subsidised hearing services and approved hearing devices to eligible Australians. Under this program, some devices are fully subsidised, while others are partially subsidised and you will have a gap to pay. Some people can access both programs at the same time. If you are eligible for HSP, the NDIS may fund additional reasonable and necessary hearing supports that the HSP does not provide, though the same hearing support cannot be funded by both programs simultaneously.
Whichever path you take, TellyHear makes the process simple and personal. Our service is led by an audiologist who ensures you receive professional care from the comfort of home. Every TellyHear hearing aid purchase includes remote fitting and setup with the audiologist, with no separate TellyHear fitting fee. This means you can move through your funding journey with confidence, knowing your clinical support is already taken care of.
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.
Navigating your NDIS funding for hearing aids depends on how your plan is managed, and we are here to make the process straightforward. If you self-manage your funds, you can generally choose from registered or unregistered providers and handle the claims yourself. For plan-managed participants, you also have the flexibility to use either type of provider while your plan manager takes care of the paperwork, and we can supply all the purchase information they need to process your payment from your available funding.
If your plan is NDIA-managed, sometimes called agency-managed, your funding must be used with a registered NDIS provider. We ask that you reach out to our team before placing an order so we can confirm whether we are able to accept your funding at that time. No matter how your plan is structured, you still receive the same complete care from TellyHear, with every purchase led by our audiologist and supported by a remote fitting and setup session tailored to your needs.
We help you claim hearing aid rebates through Australia’s leading health funds. See what your fund pays
What to have ready
You won’t necessarily need everything. It depends on how your funding works.
- NDIS detailsYour participant information where relevant, such as your NDIS number and current plan dates.
- Funding typeWhether your relevant funding is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed.
- Funding confirmationConfirmation that hearing aids can be purchased using the relevant funding.
- AudiogramA recent hearing test or audiogram where available. If you do not have a copy, we can help you arrange one.
- Plan managerTheir contact details if your funding is plan-managed, so we can provide the purchase information they need.
- HSP detailsVoucher or eligibility information if you intend to use HSP. Not sure? We can help you check your eligibility.
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.
Getting your hearing aids organised
When you buy hearing aids online with TellyHear, start by telling us how your funding works, whether you are using the NDIS, the Hearing Services Program (HSP), or you are not sure. Then choose your hearing aids, and if you are unsure which model is right for you, we can help you identify suitable hearing aids. We will also provide the relevant product and purchase information for your funding pathway.
If your NDIS hearing aids or other funding requires approval, confirm it before placing your order. Once your hearing aids are ordered, your remote hearing aid fitting appointment with our audiologist is included.
How HSP can reduce the cost of hearing aids
The Hearing Services Program does not offer one fixed rebate for every hearing aid. The subsidy you can receive depends on your eligibility, the approved device you choose, and the current program rules. If you are eligible, you may be able to access approved fully subsidised hearing devices through the program, which could mean no device gap for you to pay. For eligible partially subsidised devices, the government contributes toward the cost and you pay the remaining difference.
Your eligibility under the Hearing Services Program depends on your age and circumstances. The Australian Government provides an official eligibility checker, and this is the best place to confirm whether you qualify. 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.
Before you order, please contact TellyHear if you plan to use Hearing Services Program funding. Our team can confirm what options are available for your situation and help you understand how the subsidy may apply. We are here to make the process clearer and support you in getting the hearing care you need.
NDIS and HSP questions
How government funding pathways work when buying hearing aids with TellyHear.
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.
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.
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.
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.