Enable NSW Wig Funding
Enable NSW Wig Funding: What to Know Before You Apply
Important to read first: the Enable NSW approval process takes months, not weeks. Most applications take three to six months, sometimes longer. If you are considering applying, start well before you need the wig.
What does Enable NSW fund?
Enable NSW is a NSW Government program that provides funding for hair prostheses for eligible residents who have experienced significant hair loss as a result of alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.
Enable NSW wig funding covers alopecia only. It does not cover hair loss from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other medical treatments.
Milk & Honey Wigs is an approved Enable NSW supplier. If your application is approved, Enable NSW issues a purchase order directly to us — you do not need to pay the funded amount upfront.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must:
- Be a resident of New South Wales or Lord Howe Island
- Hold a valid Medicare card
- Have a diagnosis of alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis confirmed by a recognised specialist
- Have that specialist complete the Enable NSW Wig Request Form on your behalf
How much funding is available?
Funding is available once every three years. The following amounts are from the Enable NSW December 2022 schedule — contact Enable NSW directly to confirm current rates:
- Band 1 and 2 (concession card, pension card, or Health Care Card holders): up to $2,000 toward a human hair wig
- Band 3 (standard Medicare): up to $1,600 toward a human hair wig
If the wig you choose costs more than the funded amount, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the funding covers it in full.
How to apply
Step 1: Your specialist completes the Wig Request Form
Your dermatologist or GP must complete the Wigs Equipment Request Form (PDF). When asked for a supplier, our supplier number is 895770.
Step 2: You complete the Application Form
Download and complete the Enable NSW Application Form (PDF) with your personal and financial details.
Step 3: Submit both forms to Enable NSW
By email: enable@health.nsw.gov.au
By post: Locked Bag 3005, Sydney Markets NSW 2129
Do not purchase a wig before your application is approved. Enable NSW does not reimburse purchases made before approval is received.
Frequently asked questions
How long does approval take?
Approval takes several months. Three to six months is a typical range, and it can take longer. We tell every client this clearly upfront — we would rather you plan around the real timeline than be caught off guard. If you are thinking about applying, begin the process as early as you can.
Does Enable NSW cover wigs for chemotherapy or cancer treatment?
No. Enable NSW wig funding covers alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis only. It does not cover hair loss from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other medical treatments. If you are experiencing treatment-related hair loss, we are still happy to help you find the right wig and can point you toward other pathways that may be relevant, such as private health insurance extras cover.
What if my wig costs more than the funded amount?
You pay the difference between the funded amount and the price of the wig you choose. Enable NSW issues the purchase order to us for the funded portion, and you pay only the top-up, if any. We will discuss this honestly with you at your consultation.
Do I need to choose a wig before applying?
No. You do not need to have chosen a wig before submitting your application. That said, we are happy to have a conversation with you about the process beforehand — including whether applying makes sense for your situation and what the funding is likely to cover in our range.
If you would like to talk through the Enable NSW process before committing to an application, reach out to our team. We give honest guidance — including when we think the timeline or the funding level makes it impractical for a particular situation.
For current eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application forms, visit the Enable NSW website or call 1800 804 950.