Category: Special Needs

Current as at 31 August 2026. NDIS reform is being rolled out in stages between 2026 and 2030, and further rules are still being developed. Check the NDIA website for the latest position before making funding decisions.

If you are an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, support coordinator or family member involved in prescribing postural seating, the NDIS you knew is changing. New laws received Royal Assent on 20 August 2026, with the first changes starting 27 August 2026 and the rest rolling out in stages through to 2030.

Quick answer: postural seating is funded as assistive technology under Capital Supports. The two budget reductions announced for October 2026 apply to social, civic and community participation supports and to capacity building daily activities, not to assistive technology. The changes most likely to affect a seating prescription are the new 90-day claim deadline from 1 December 2026, the end of leftover funds carrying over under plan renewals from February 2027, and new framework planning from April 2027.

What Has Not Changed

Postural seating is still funded. A saddle seat prescribed to stabilise the pelvis, open the hip angle and support a person’s functional goals is assistive technology, and assistive technology remains a funded support category.

The Government has also confirmed that the October 2026 budget reductions will not apply to a list of critical supports, including home and vehicle modifications, supports in the home, personal mobility equipment and transport, consumable products, and Specialist Disability Accommodation. Further amendments protect employment supports, disability-related health supports, high-intensity supports, complex behaviour supports, and some customised and wearable technology and hearing supports.

For most participants, PWDA’s guidance is that you do not need to do anything differently right now. Current plans and supports continue as usual, and the NDIA has said it will notify participants before changes affecting them are introduced.

The Timeline That Matters for Seating

The Three Changes Worth Acting On

1. The 90-day claim deadline

From 1 December 2026, participants and plan managers must claim within 90 days of the support being delivered. Custom seating has a lead time. A chair ordered in one quarter and delivered in the next can easily drift past 90 days before anyone submits the claim, particularly where a plan manager is waiting on paperwork from a supplier.

The practical fix is simple. Agree at the point of order who lodges the claim and when, and diarise it against the delivery date rather than the order date.

2. Leftover funds stop carrying over

From February 2027, when a plan reaches its reassessment date the NDIA may create a renewed plan instead of reassessing it. A renewed plan carries the same level of supports the participant was previously assessed for, adjusted for current prices. Money left over in the previous plan does not carry into the renewed one.

If a seating assessment has been completed and the funding is sitting unused, that is now a use-it-or-lose-it situation rather than a rollover.

3. Evidence has to work harder

From February 2027, the NDIA must consider equity between participants, the sustainability of the Scheme, and the circumstances of participants with similar needs when deciding what is reasonable and necessary.

This does not mean seating gets refused. It does mean a prescription that reads as a comfort upgrade is weaker than one tied to specific functional outcomes. The strongest reports describe what the person cannot currently do, what the seating changes mechanically, and what functional goal that unlocks. Postural collapse leading to fatigue that limits school attendance is a functional argument. A more comfortable chair is not.

Two Worked Examples of Functional Framing

Our Australian special needs case studies show the difference in practice.

Ruby, who has muscular atrophy, was collapsing in a standard classroom chair. Her pelvis tilted backward, her spine rounded, and she extended her neck to see her work, which exhausted her quickly. Her occupational therapist trialled a Small Adaptive Saddle Chair with a reduced abduction seat, standard backrest, 80 mm drop-through gas lift and locking castors. The functional outcome was that her arms were freed from bracing her torso, so she could focus on schoolwork for longer without fatigue.

Notice what makes that fundable. It is not “Ruby finds the chair comfortable.” It is a described postural problem, a specified configuration with a reason for each element, and a functional gain in a defined setting.

David, an adult with cerebral palsy and increased adductor tone, was largely confined to a wheelchair. Seated on the saddle, his hips were held abducted and extended, his feet reached full contact with the floor, and he began using his legs to propel the chair himself. He reported walking further independently and relying on the wheelchair less on daily outings.

Again, the fundable elements are mobility, independence and reduced reliance on other equipment, not comfort.

Both cases were documented before the 2026 changes, and neither is a guarantee of a funding outcome for anyone else. They are useful as a model for how to write the argument.

What a Strong Seating Prescription Contains

Whether you are writing the report or reading one, these are the elements that carry weight:

The functional goal, in the participant’s own words where possible. A trial record showing what was tested and what changed. The specific configuration prescribed, including seat size, stem height, base and any accessories, with a reason for each. Evidence of clinical reasoning linking the postural mechanism to the functional outcome. Independent certification of the equipment, such as AFRDI Level 6 for severe commercial use. A quote valid for long enough to survive the approval process.

For seating in particular, sizing detail matters. Pelvic width varies between individuals, so a report that specifies which seat size was trialled and why is considerably stronger than one naming a product alone.

What Is Still Being Decided

A great deal. The legislation creates the framework and the powers, but detailed rules, policies and operational processes are still being developed. Areas still open include the new access assessment, the detailed operation of support needs assessments and budget setting, record keeping rules, and provider registration.

Anyone telling you exactly how postural seating will be assessed under new framework planning is guessing. The honest position is that the funding pathway for assistive technology has not been reduced, the timing rules around claims and renewals have tightened, and the case for any prescribed support needs to be well evidenced.

Where to Get Help

If the NDIA has made a decision you disagree with, you may be able to request an internal review. For most reviewable decisions, the request must be made within three months of receiving the decision in writing. The Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 can connect you with disability advocacy services, and the NDIA publishes a guide to decision reviews.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing maintains a page on the NDIS legislation changes, and PWDA is collecting participant experiences as the changes roll out.

Bambach has designed saddle seats in Australia since 1989, and they are prescribed by occupational therapists and physiotherapists for participants who need pelvic stability and an open hip angle. See the special needs and adaptive seating range, read the full Australian case studies, or browse the complete range. To discuss a configuration for a specific participant, call +61 2 8966 4800.

This article is general information about NDIS funding processes. It is not financial, legal or clinical advice, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDIA. Funding decisions depend on individual circumstances.

When sitting on a conventional flat chair or static wheelchair, individuals with physical disabilities and neurological conditions often face severe biomechanical challenges. Without stable pelvic support, the torso collapses, the spine curves into a slumped “C” shape, and upper-limb movement becomes heavily compromised.

The concept of adaptive saddle seating originated in Australia in 1988. Mary Gale, a qualified Australian Occupational Therapist at Hornsby Hospital in Sydney, noticed a remarkable physiological phenomenon: patients with severe physical trauma and neurological impairments who could not sit unsupported on a standard seat could sit upright, with balance and symmetry, when mounted on horseback.

By replicating the natural rider’s saddle position, the Bambach Saddle Seat was engineered to stabilize the pelvis in a neutral position, open the hip angle to 135°, and restore the natural “S” curve of the spine. Today, Bambach posture chairs are prescribed across Australia by Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Physiotherapists as clinically validated assistive technology.

Real Australian Case Studies: Transforming Special Needs Posture

Case Study 1: Ruby – Managing Muscular Atrophy & Classroom Fatigue

• Clinical Background: Ruby was diagnosed with muscular atrophy, a condition causing progressive muscle weakness and difficulty maintaining upright posture over extended periods.
• The Postural Problem: In a standard classroom chair, Ruby suffered severe postural collapse. Her pelvis tilted backward (posterior pelvic tilt), collapsing her spine into a flattened lumbar “C” curve with hunched shoulders and forward head projection. To view her work, she hyperextended her cervical spine and protruded her chin, leading to rapid physical exhaustion, thoracic compression, and an elevated risk of progressive spinal deformities.
• The Bambach Intervention: Ruby’s Occupational Therapist recommended trialling a Bambach Small Adaptive Saddle Chair fitted with a reduced abduction seat, standard backrest, an 80 mm drop-through gas lift, and locking castors.
• Clinical Outcome:
  • Neutral Pelvic Alignment: Opening Ruby’s hip angle naturally rotated her pelvis into a neutral upright position, eliminating the slumped “C” curve.
  • Upper Limb Independence: With her core and lower body stabilized, her head and shoulders returned to a comfortable, neutral position. This freed her arms from bracing, allowing her to focus on fine motor tasks and schoolwork without premature fatigue.
  • Optimized Respiration: Restoring natural lumbar lordosis expanded her thoracic cavity, reducing abdominal compression and supporting overall respiratory function.

“With her pelvis now in its neutral position, Ruby can assume and maintain a correct posture, which greatly improves her ability to perform functional tasks as well as working longer without fatigue.” — Bambach Clinical Case Report

Case Study 2: David – Adult Cerebral Palsy & Functional Mobility

• Clinical Background: David lives with Cerebral Palsy characterized by increased adductor muscle tone, predominantly on his right side.
• The Postural Problem: David’s tight hip adductors made walking difficult, confining him largely to a wheelchair. When seated sacrally in his wheelchair or on flat chairs, his shoulders hunched, his shoulder blades winged, his chin protruded, and his pelvis pulled obliquely to the right.
• The Bambach Intervention: David trialled a Bambach Saddle Seat adjusted to accommodate his frame and computer workstation.
• Clinical Outcome:
  • Inhibition of Abnormal Tone: The saddle seat’s contoured design held David’s hips abducted and extended at a 45° angle, inhibiting abnormal muscle tone and restoring symmetrical alignment.
  • Active Weight Bearing & Mobility: Rather than remaining passive, David’s legs and feet achieved full plantar contact with the floor. He began actively using his legs to push, pull, and propel his chair around the room.
  • Gait and Functional Gains: Activating his postural core and back muscles significantly improved his spinal strength. David reported walking greater distances independently, reducing his reliance on his wheelchair during daily outings.

“My back is a lot straighter and it has helped my walking, as I can now walk straighter and have more strength in my back.” — David, Bambach User

Biomechanical Comparison: Conventional Seating vs. Bambach Adaptive Saddle Seating

Tested Strength & Trust: AFRDI Level 6 Certification & NDIS Approval

When prescribing adaptive seating for special needs users, durability, structural integrity, and clinical safety are paramount.

• AFRDI Level 6 Certification: The Bambach Saddle Seat is certified to AFRDI Level 6 (Severe Commercial Use) by the Australasian Furnishing Research and Development Institute. This certification guarantees that the chair can withstand intense dynamic loads, sudden movements caused by spasticity, and continuous heavy-duty use in schools, clinics, and homes.
• Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Endorsed: Recognised by clinical bodies across Australia for its proven anatomical benefits.
• NDIS Assistive Technology Funding: As a clinically validated posture device, the Bambach Saddle Seat is regularly funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) under Capital Supports / Assistive Technology.

Explore our complete range of Special Needs Adaptive Saddle Chairs or read more real-world results in our Australian Clinical Case Studies Archive. For paediatric requirements, view the Bambach Small Adaptive Chair Range.

All of us, particularly those with physical impairments, need to sit in the best posture chair possible to avoid deformities developing or deteriorating. The key to good posture and a healthy spine is the pelvis being secure in an upright, neutral position while sitting. Using the best ergonomic office chair available can help to prevent future disabilities, and improve the quality of life for children and adults with special needs. The Bambach Saddle Seat is used by health professionals and carers worldwide as a posture chair, with case studies showing dramatic improvement for people with mild to severe disabilities aged from two to ninety years old.

This month, we discuss the advantages of using the Bambach Saddle Seat as an ergonomic chair for children and adults with special needs:

Postural Control

The first advantage of the Bambach is that it allows more postural control for people with disabilities. Many specially made seats are often bulky, cumbersome to move, and distort natural spinal alignment, with the result that function is actually impaired and can further disable and disempower those with special needs. In a Bambach saddle stool, the muscles of postural control are activated so that they can work in balance, rather than being inactive as in conventional seating and wheelchairs. We provide the best ergonomic office chair for postural control, helping users maintain an upright stable pelvis, and placing the hips in their optimal resting position of 45 degree flexion. 

A Bambach posture chair helps make trunk and head control easier so that functional activity, such as speech and swallowing, is improved. It also helps the chest and abdomen to open up and maintain maximum space, so that breathing and digestion are easier, and allows individuals to bend forward from the hips rather than the waist. This allows both children and adults to maintain balance while reading and writing, even when leaning forward. 

Read our case studies to learn more about how the Bambach ergonomic desk chair can improve postural control.

Functional Improvements

The Bambach saddle stool also offers several functional improvements for children and adults living with special needs. Our range of saddle seats encourage independent sitting, and facilitate upper limb and hand coordination. By promoting an upright posture, the individual’s muscles are actively engaged, rather than in an inactive and collapsed state as we see in conventional seats or wheelchairs. In many cases, the Bambach Saddle Seat has improved breathing, digestion, circulation and lung function in users through maintaining thoracic, abdominal and pelvic spaces in an open position. 

By positioning the body with the centre of gravity over the seat bones, our saddle stools promote balance and symmetry, and aid coordination and dexterity. The active sitting position reduces the fatigue associated with poor posture, and encourages muscle activity and partial weight bearing with full plantar contact enabled. Providing a greater control of sensory output can also help reduce involuntary motor responses. These functional benefits are growing with every new and varied disability case, improving quality of life for the individual as well as for their families and friends. 

Each Bambach chair is tailored specifically to meet individual needs and requirements. Browse our range of ergonomic desk chairs to find the best saddle stool for you.

Positive Social and Psychological Impact

Another advantage of the Bambach is the way it can positively impact the self-esteem and independence of users. This is particularly important for the healthy psychological development of children. Most disabled children wish to be as much like other children as possible, participating in school activities, excursions, family outings and other activities like their peers. Wheelchairs can inhibit socialisation, with disabled children unable to easily see or communicate with others because of the bulk of the seat. With a Bambach posture chair, maintaining an upright posture, eye contact and speech all become easier, making socialising more natural. 

We pride ourselves on providing the best ergonomic office chair to facilitate enhanced functional ability and mobility. In conventional seating, poor posture can inhibit writing, drawing and the use of educational equipment, resulting in learning deficiencies. With a saddle stool, writing, schoolwork and performance in hobbies improve due to increased efficiency and the ability to control the upper body and arms in an upright, stable position. The Bambach Saddle Seat can also improve self-esteem in users, who are able to perform personal self-care tasks such as meal preparation, washing and dressing more easily than in a wheelchair. 

On our Bambach Accessories page, you will find a range of special needs accessories to increase mobility including the H-harness, which offers additional body stability, and the LAP Strap, for our customers who require the option of being clipped into their seat for safety or added pelvic support. 

Growth In Children And Adolescents

Finally, using the Bambach Saddle Seat can stimulate normal bone growth in children and adolescents. In both children and teenagers, muscles and tendons often grow at unpredictably differing rates. Conventional seating and wheelchairs are not designed to allow for healthy growth, which can create deformities in the future. In a Bambach posture chair, muscle activity and movement is increased due to the dynamic sitting position, stimulating bone growth. Muscle length and range of movement in the joints are also maintained in our ergonomic desk chair because of the half-stand position of the Bambach, righting reactions as well as midline alignment.

The Bambach is the original saddle seat, designed and manufactured in Australia by occupational therapist Mary Gale. Our saddle stools are tested by AFRDI to the highest standards and are recommended by health professionals worldwide. 

Contact one of our experienced staff members today to discuss how the Bambach Saddle Seat can be customised to suit individuals and help a wide range of special needs conditions. It is also recommended that you contact your healthcare provider, as you may be eligible for funding and a trial of a posture chair in your home, workplace or school.