Yes, the NDIS can fund packing and unpacking when a move is reasonable and necessary, or when relocating works out more cost-effective than modifying a current home. The first step is practical: get an occupational therapy (OT) report that links the move to your goals, then line up an itemised quote. Some providers offer NDIS-compliant packing with live tracking, so your goods stay accounted for from box to doorstep.
TL;DR:
- NDIS funding for packing and moving is approved only when the move is reasonable, necessary, or more cost-effective than home modifications, supported by an OT report and detailed quotes.
- Professional packing services include full packing, labelling, handling of medical equipment, furniture disassembly, secure transport, and live tracking, with materials often charged separately.
- Confirm providers hold adequate insurance, including public liability and transit coverage, and verify staff screening and training before booking to ensure safety and liability compliance.
- To include packing in your NDIS plan, gather quotes and evidence early, and work with your plan manager or NDIA, especially if you are self-managed, to ensure invoices meet NDIS compliance.
- Early coordination with your OT, support coordinator, and movers simplifies the process, helps meet paperwork requirements, and ensures the move aligns with your goals and preserves your dignity.
Table of Contents
- What NDIS will and won’t fund for moves and packing
- What professional packing services include for NDIS participants
- Insurance, liability and safety: what to check before you book
- How to include packing services in an NDIS plan and who pays
- How to choose an NDIS-friendly packer and questions to ask
- What happens on move day: a simple timeline and checklist
- Practical examples and EasyMove Services’ NDIS experience
- Why planning and early coordination matters
- How EasyMove Services can help with your NDIS move
- FAQ
- Sources
What NDIS will and won’t fund for moves and packing
The NDIS does not treat packing and relocation as a standard, automatic funding line. According to NDIS guidance on relocation, the Agency will fund these costs when a move is reasonable and necessary for the participant, or when relocating is a more cost-effective way to meet a need than modifying the current home. That second point matters: if staying put means expensive structural changes, a move with funded packing support can be the cheaper, more practical path.
Approval hinges on evidence, not assumption. A delegate needs to see the link between the move and your disability-related goals, usually through an OT report, alongside quotes that show what the move will actually cost.
Expect to pull together:
- An OT report explaining why the move supports your goals and daily function.
- An itemised quote from a removalist, broken down by task and hour.
- A simple cost comparison if the move is proposed instead of home modifications.
How your plan is managed changes who check this paperwork first, but the underlying test from the NDIA stays the same either way.
What professional packing services include for NDIS participants
A proper NDIS packing service goes well beyond taping up boxes. It covers full packing and unpacking, clear labelling by room, and careful handling of fragile items like glassware and artwork. For many participants, the real value sits in how a team manages medical and mobility equipment: hoists, wheelchairs and other aids need specific handling, not a generic approach.
Most providers also offer furniture disassembly and reassembly, so beds, shelving and modular furniture arrive ready to use rather than in pieces on the lounge room floor. Secure transport, storage referrals for anything that needs to sit in between moves, and live tracking of your goods in transit round out a complete service. EasyMove Services’ NDIS-funded moving services cover each of these elements.
Materials, including boxes, tape and protective wrapping, are typically charged separately from labour. It is advisable to request this broken out on the quote so you can clearly understand the costs and match them against your plan’s budget.
Insurance, liability and safety: what to check before you book
Before you book anyone, confirm their insurance arrangements in writing. AFRA’s guidance on moving insurance notes that removalists should hold public liability cover and carrier’s legal liability insurance, and many can arrange transit insurance on top. If transit insurance is offered, ask for the Product Disclosure Statement so you know what is actually covered.
AFRA membership is a reasonable signal of industry standards, since member businesses are expected to meet baseline insurance and conduct requirements. For NDIS moves specifically, also ask how staff are screened and trained, particularly for jobs involving hoists, stairs or tight access where the risk of damage or injury is higher.
Pro Tip: Ask for proof of insurance and worker screening before the quote, not after you’ve paid a deposit.
How to include packing services in an NDIS plan and who pays
Getting packing funded is a sequence, not a single form. NDIS guidance on coordinating home transitions recommends lining up every party early, since that is what keeps invoices compliant and approvals moving.
- Discuss the move with your OT or support coordinator and confirm it meets the reasonable and necessary test.
- Gather two or more itemised quotes, including one from a provider experienced with NDIS removalist services.
- Submit the OT evidence and quotes to your plan manager or the NDIA, depending on how your plan is managed.
Plan management type changes who does the checking. Self-managed participants can contract unregistered providers directly and negotiate pricing themselves, as outlined in NDIS self-managed funding guidance. Plan-managed participants rely on their plan manager to process and pay invoices, which often means sticking with providers who already issue NDIS-compliant paperwork. Quotes should always include the provider’s ABN, insurance details, a clear scope of work and itemised pricing. For a longer walkthrough, see how to include moving supports in your NDIS plan.
How to choose an NDIS-friendly packer and questions to ask
Not every removalist understands NDIS paperwork or mobility equipment, so it pays to ask direct questions before booking. Look for providers with genuine NDIS experience, current worker screening checks, NDIS-compliant invoicing and insurance that covers both the goods and the move itself.
When you call a provider, ask them to:
- Send their ABN and a sample NDIS-compliant invoice.
- Provide evidence of current worker screening checks for staff on the job.
- Confirm how they handle hoists, wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.
- Explain whether live tracking or similar visibility is available during transit.
Be wary of a business that only lists an administrative address with no real operating depot, sometimes called a paper depot, as AFRA’s depot transparency guidance describes. Read the full guide to finding NDIS-friendly movers before you commit.
What happens on move day: a simple timeline and checklist
A well-run NDIS move follows a predictable rhythm, which is exactly what reduces stress on the day.
- A pre-move site visit confirms access, parking and any equipment needing special handling.
- Packing day covers boxing, labelling and securing fragile and mobility items — following top ten packing tips ensures your move goes smoothly.
- Transport and delivery happen with tracking available so you know where your goods are.
- Unpacking and setup put furniture and equipment back where they belong, reassembled and ready.
Have a support person or carer present if possible, and keep photos, serial numbers and invoices for anything high-value or medical. Pack medications and mobility aids separately, and keep them with you rather than in the truck, so they are never out of reach during the move.
Practical examples and EasyMove Services’ NDIS experience
Some providers run NDIS-compliant invoicing alongside live tracking, so plan managers and support coordinators can see exactly what was delivered and when. That transparency matters when evidence needs to go back to the NDIA or a plan manager for approval.
Some teams coordinate directly with OTs and support coordinators to make sure quotes and documentation match what a delegate expects to see: scope, ABN, insurance and itemised pricing. Specialist handling extends to mobility aids and medical equipment, not just furniture. You can see the full offering on the NDIS-funded moving services page.
Why planning and early coordination matters
Early coordination between your OT, plan manager and movers turns a stressful relocation into a manageable one. It also keeps control with the participant, not the paperwork; your goals and your dignity should shape the move, not just the logistics around it.
— EasyMovers
How EasyMove Services can help with your NDIS move
Packing for an NDIS move involves more moving parts than a standard house move, and EasyMove Services builds its process around that. Live tracking means you always know where your goods are, and NDIS-compliant invoicing means your plan manager gets exactly the paperwork they need the first time, without back-and-forth delays.
Specialist handling can include mobility aids and medical equipment alongside standard furniture and fragile items. If you want a sense of typical costs before you request a quote, the moving rates page sets out hourly pricing.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Get an OT report linking the move to your goals |
| 2 | Request an itemised quote from NDIS-funded moving services |
| 3 | Submit evidence to your plan manager or the NDIA |
Start with an OT report and an itemised quote, then get in touch to book your move.
FAQ
Who is the biggest NDIS provider in Australia?
There is no single published ranking of the largest NDIS provider, and provider size varies by service type and state. The NDIS Commission participant pack is the best place to check provider registration status for any business you’re considering.
Who are the best movers and packers in Australia?
The right mover depends on your needs rather than a single best option, but for NDIS participants, look for NDIS experience, compliant invoicing and proper insurance. EasyMove Services offers NDIS-compliant packing with live tracking as one option worth comparing.
What is no longer covered by NDIS?
General packing or relocation costs are not funded as a standard inclusion; funding depends on the move being reasonable and necessary or more cost-effective than home modifications. Full detail sits in the NDIS relocation guidance.
Is there a 2 hour minimum for NDIS?
Minimum call-out times vary by provider and service type rather than being set as a single NDIS-wide rule. Check the NDIS pricing schedule and confirm minimums directly with your chosen provider before booking.
Sources
- NDIS guidance — relocation and transition guidance (media download)
- AFRA — Moving insurance guidance
- NDIS Commission participant pack
Recommended
- How To Find NDIS-friendly Movers In Australia
- NDIS Home Transition Service Providers Comparison Guide
- Report Moving Outcomes In NDIS Review: A Coordinator’s Guide
- How To Include Moving Supports In Your NDIS Plan