Short answer: sensory seating and crash mats that cost less than $1,500 are usually treated by the NDIS as low-cost assistive technology, funded from the consumables budget, with no quote and no prior approval needed. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can buy from any supplier. NDIA-managed (agency-managed) participants must buy from a registered NDIS provider. Every Comfort Cloud sits under that $1,500 line: Crash Cloud $690, Cosy Cloud $890, Haven Cloud $1,090.
This guide sets out what the NDIS actually publishes, with links to the source pages, so you can check it yourself rather than take a retailer's word for it. It is general information, not advice about your particular plan. Every plan is different and your plan manager or support coordinator is the person who can confirm your situation.
The $1,500 rule, in the NDIS's own words
The NDIS defines low-cost assistive technology by price. Its guidance states that low-cost assistive technology costs less than $1,500
and that you can buy low-cost assistive technology with your consumables budget
.
The practical consequence is the part most families do not realise. For a low-cost, low-risk item, the NDIS states that you don't need to check with us first or send us a quote for approval if you have funds in your consumables budget and your assistive technology costs less than $1,500
. No quote, no assessment paperwork, no waiting for approval before you buy.
That threshold is why the price of the item matters so much. A $690 crash mat and a $1,900 crash mat are not just different prices, they are different processes.
What the item has to be
Price alone is not enough. The NDIS lists conditions the item has to meet:
- it is directly related to your disability
- it will help you work towards your goals
- it is safe for you to use
- it is supported by evidence, for example a recommendation from your allied health professional
For sensory seating and crash mats, the fourth point is the one to prepare. An occupational therapist's written recommendation is the evidence that turns a piece of furniture into a funded support, and it is the difference between a claim that goes through and one that gets questioned later.
How you buy, depending on how your plan is managed
| Plan management | What you do | Registered provider required? |
|---|---|---|
| Self-managed | Pay for the item upfront, then claim reimbursement through the my NDIS portal, myplace portal or the my NDIS app. | No. You can buy from any supplier. |
| Plan-managed | Give your plan manager the invoice and any supporting documentation. They handle payment and the claim. | No. You can buy from any supplier. |
| NDIA-managed (agency-managed) | Buy from a registered provider, who claims payment for the item directly from the NDIS. | Yes. |
This is the single most useful thing to establish before you start shopping, because it determines whether the whole market is open to you or only the registered part of it. Comfort Cloud is an NDIS registered provider, so we can invoice under all three arrangements.
Wording your OT can use
The most common weak point in a claim is a recommendation that says too little. "OT recommends a crash pad" states a product. What the NDIS is looking for is a link between the participant's disability, the support, and their goals.
Something closer to this is far more useful in a plan file:
Proprioceptive sensory equipment is recommended to provide [name] with the deep pressure and heavy work input identified in their sensory assessment. Regular access to this input at home supports self-regulation, reduces escalation, and increases [name]'s capacity to participate in daily routines and family activities. A [flat crash mat / foam sensory chair] of at least [dimensions] is required to provide a safe landing surface for the crashing and jumping behaviours observed.
Ask your OT to name the type of input needed rather than a brand, to reference their own assessment, and to connect it to a goal already written into the plan. Brand-specific recommendations are generally less useful than specifications, because specifications survive a product going out of stock.
Crash mat or sensory chair?
These are often lumped together and they do different jobs. Getting this wrong is the most common reason a funded purchase goes unused.
- A crash mat is a flat, thick landing surface. It is for jumping, falling and crashing, which is impact input. Surface area matters more than height. Our Crash Cloud is 150cm x 180cm x 30cm and 18kg, priced at $690.
- A foam sensory chair is for deep pressure while seated or lying still. It is for calming, reading, watching, winding down. Depth of foam matters more than surface area. Our Cosy Cloud is 127cm across at $890 and the Haven Cloud is 150cm across at $1,090.
If the assessment mentions crashing, jumping, climbing or heavy work, buy the mat. If it mentions deep pressure, calming, or a regulation space, buy the chair. If it mentions both, most families start with the mat because it doubles as floor seating.
What to check before you buy anything
- Is the fill foam or polystyrene beads? Beads compress and go flat, and they do not deliver sustained deep pressure. Shredded foam does. For a sensory purchase this is the specification that matters most. We have compared the Australian foam options, including our competitors, in our foam cloud chair comparison.
- Is there a water-resistant liner, not just a washable cover? A cover that washes is standard. A liner that protects the foam underneath is not. Every Comfort Cloud has a HydroShield water-resistant inner liner.
- Are the zips concealed and child-safe? Exposed zip pulls on sensory equipment are a known problem.
- What is the warranty on the foam? Foam going flat is the failure mode. Ours is 12 years.
- Can you return it? Sensory equipment is a guess until the child uses it. Comfort Cloud Clouds have a 7 day trial with a full refund if it is not right.
- Will it fit? A 150cm chair needs a clear circle bigger than 150cm. Measure the room, not the chair.
Common questions
Can I use NDIS funding to buy a sensory bean bag or crash mat?
In many cases yes, where the item is directly related to the participant's disability, supports their plan goals, is safe, and is backed by evidence such as an OT recommendation. Under $1,500 it is generally treated as low-cost assistive technology from the consumables budget. Confirm against your own plan before ordering.
Do I need a quote first?
For low-cost, low-risk assistive technology under $1,500 with funds available in the consumables budget, the NDIS states you do not need to send a quote for approval. Higher-cost or higher-risk items are a different process.
Do I have to buy from a registered NDIS provider?
Only if you are NDIA-managed (agency-managed). Self-managed and plan-managed participants can buy from any supplier. Comfort Cloud is registered, so all three arrangements work with us.
Which budget does it come out of?
Low-cost assistive technology is bought from the consumables budget within Core supports. Your plan manager can confirm what is available in yours.
How do I get an invoice for my plan manager?
Order as normal and we will issue a tax invoice, or contact us before ordering at hello@comfortcloud.com.au or 1300 530 709 and we will raise a quote or invoice addressed to your plan manager. Full detail is on our NDIS page.
Sources
- NDIS, What is low-cost assistive technology, ndis.gov.au, read 5 September 2026.
- NDIS, How to buy low-cost assistive technology, ndis.gov.au, read 5 September 2026.
Comfort Cloud is an Australian therapeutic seating brand based in Somerton Park, South Australia, and an NDIS registered provider. This page is general information about publicly published NDIS rules and is not advice about your individual plan. Rules change: check the NDIS source pages above, and confirm with your plan manager or support coordinator before purchasing.