Most C-Pens for students are bought by schools as a reasonable adjustment. NDIS participants may be able to use their plan funding when the pen supports daily life, not just schoolwork. Workers can apply to the JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund. The right route depends on who needs the pen and where they will use it.
Three funding routes at a glance
| Route | Who it is for | Where the pen is used | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| School budget | Any student who needs a reading adjustment | Classroom, assessments, exams | A school decision, usually recorded in the student's learning plan and NCCD evidence |
| NDIS | NDIS participants | Across daily life: home, community, work and study | A link to the participant's disability and plan goals; a therapist recommendation is strongly advised |
| JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund | Workers and some job seekers with disability | The workplace | An EAF application; the workplace assessment may be waived for items up to $1,000 |
Schools: reasonable adjustments and NCCD
Under the Disability Standards for Education 2005, schools must make reasonable adjustments so students with disability can take part in learning on the same basis as their peers. A reading pen is a common, low-cost adjustment for students with reading difficulties, and the school usually funds it.
How a reading pen fits the NCCD
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) records the adjustments schools provide. Its data informs Australian Government school funding for students with disability. To be counted, a student needs an adjustment at the supplementary level or above, provided for at least 10 weeks of school (not counting holidays) in the 12 months before the August collection.
A reading pen used for particular tasks usually counts as a supplementary adjustment. If it is part of a wider set of frequent supports, the student's overall level may be substantial. The level reflects all the adjustments a student receives, not the device alone. A diagnosis is not required: teachers can impute a disability based on their professional judgement.
Keep evidence in the four areas NCCD asks for:
- Assessed needs: reading assessments, teacher observations, any specialist reports.
- Adjustments provided: the learning plan, and a record of when and how the pen is used.
- Monitoring and review: progress data, such as reading comprehension results with and without the pen.
- Consultation: notes of meetings with the student and their family.
The same records support an exam provision application (see reading pens in Australian exams).
Buying for a school
- Start with one or two pens and a short trial with the students who need them.
- Match the model to the job: the Exam Reader 2 for assessments and exams, the Reader 2 or Reader 3 for everyday learning (see which C-Pen to choose).
- Ask Assistive Tech for a school quote and purchase order options.
- Plan who looks after charging, storage and firmware updates.
NDIS: low-cost assistive technology
The NDIS groups assistive technology into three cost levels:
| Level | Price per item | Quote needed | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-cost | Under $1,500 | No | Core: Consumables |
| Mid-cost | $1,500 to $15,000 | Written evidence from an allied health practitioner or AT advisor | Capital |
| High-cost | Over $15,000 | AT assessor report and a quote | Capital |
C-Pen reading pens are low-cost, low-risk assistive technology, so participants can usually buy one from their Consumables budget without a quote. The purchase still has to be reasonable and necessary, related to the participant's disability and linked to their plan goals.
The education boundary
This is the question that decides most NDIS applications for reading pens. NDIA guidance from July 2026 says the school system funds learning aids and equipment needed for learning. The NDIS funds assistive technology a person needs whatever activity they are doing.
In practice:
- A pen used mainly for schoolwork or exams is likely to be seen as the school's responsibility. The Exam Reader 2, which only suits exams, is usually a school purchase.
- A pen used across daily life has a stronger case: reading mail, forms, medication labels, menus, timetables, community signage or work documents.
The Reader 2 and Reader 3 suit daily-life use because they work anywhere and include dictionaries. For how to document this, see Building NDIS evidence for a reading pen: a guide for therapists.
Who can buy it
- Self-managed and plan-managed participants can buy from any provider.
- NDIA-managed participants must use a registered NDIS provider.
The NDIA decides who is eligible for the NDIS. For participants, a C-Pen is low-cost assistive technology. Make sure the purchase aligns with your plan goals, and check with the NDIS before ordering if you are not sure.
Assistive Tech is a registered NDIS provider. Eligible participants may be able to use NDIS funding for this product. Speak with your plan manager or support coordinator for guidance.
What's changing
The NDIA's new framework planning, with flexible budgets and stated items, has been delayed to 1 April 2027. Current plan rules apply until then.
Work: JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund
The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) pays for workplace equipment and assistive technology for eligible workers with disability. Applicants need to be Australian residents with a job of at least 13 weeks and 8 hours a week, and a disability expected to last two years or more. For items up to $1,000, the workplace assessment may be waived.
Frequently asked questions
Is dyslexia covered by the NDIS?
A dyslexia diagnosis does not by itself make someone eligible. The NDIA decides eligibility against its disability requirements, which look at the functional impact of a permanent disability. Many people with reading difficulties receive NDIS support because of another primary disability.
Can NDIS funding be used for a C-Pen?
Eligible participants may be able to use NDIS funding for a C-Pen as low-cost assistive technology, where it is reasonable and necessary and linked to their goals. A pen used across daily life has a stronger case than one used only for school. Check with the NDIS before ordering if you are not sure.
Do I need a quote to buy a C-Pen with NDIS funding?
No. Assistive technology under $1,500 is low-cost, and the NDIS does not require a quote. Keep a therapist recommendation on file to show how the pen links to your goals.
Which NDIS budget pays for a reading pen?
Low-cost assistive technology comes from the Core budget, under Consumables.
What NCCD level is a reading pen?
Usually supplementary, when the pen is used for particular tasks. The level reflects all the adjustments a student receives, so it may be higher if the pen is one of several frequent supports.
Will the school pay for a reading pen?
Schools must make reasonable adjustments for students with disability, and a reading pen is a common one. Talk to the learning support team about the student's needs and the school's process.
More C-Pen guides for schools and therapistsSetup help, exam provisions, funding and model comparisons in one place.
