NDIS

Understanding the NDIS

The main source of information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the official NDIS website – start with the webpage ‘How the NDIS Works’.

About the NDIS

Australian residents with a permanent and significant disability (including acquired brain injuries, or physical, sensory, intellectual and psychosocial (mental health) disabilities) impacting their daily functioning may be eligible for support from the NDIS, for the rest of their life, or for early intervention to reduce the amount of long-term support they need.

The NDIS is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – this is the government agency that funds NDIS plans.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is the government agency that regulates the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.

Follow this link for more information: What is the NDIS?

Eligibility

To be eligible for the NDIS you must be:

• Between 0 and 65 years old
• Live in Australia and have Australian residency
• Have a permanent and significant disability
• Need support from another person, or require special equipment, or need support now to reduce your future needs

Follow this link to check your eligibility: Am I Eligible?

Applying for the NDIS

You will need to make an Access Request, either by:

• Calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110
• Submitting an Access Request Form to the NDIS via email
• Contacting your local NDIA office or Local Area Coordinator (follow this link)

You will need to answer some questions to confirm your eligibility and provide evidence of your disability as part of your application.

Follow this link for more information: How to Apply

NDIS Planning

An important part of being an NDIS participant is having choice and control over your funding.

Each NDIS participant will meet with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Practitioner (for children under 7 years old) who is appointed for them by the NDIA, to create an individualised plan. When you meet your LAC or ECEI, you will talk about your current support needs, future goals, and what you need to live the life you want. Planning meetings can be done over the phone.

Your LAC or ECEI Practitioner will then send this information back to an NDIS Planner, who will work out what budget to include in your NDIS Plan. Your plan will be sent to you by mail – it will include your goals and your budget.

It is your right to have a professional interpreter (Auslan to languages other than English) involved in any NDIS planning discussions.

Follow this link for more information: Creating your plan

Support Budget Categories

Your NDIS Plan includes an individual budget, which will be broken down into three support categories, each with a specific purpose:

1. Core – supports you with day-to-day activities to enable you to work towards your goals and take part in your community.
2. Capital – supports you to pay for assistive technologies, equipment, and home or vehicle modifications to help you live your life.
3. Capacity Building – supports you to build the skills you need to live the life you want.

You cannot reallocate your funding to another category. Each support category is broken down into sub-categories.

You use your budget to help you get the supports and services you need to achieve your goals. Choice and control are central to implementing your NDIS plan, including your choice of service providers, therapists, assistive technology, etc. covered by your budget.

Support Coordination (if required) is included in the Capacity Building budget. This is a fixed amount to boost your ability to coordinate and implement supports in your plan.

Follow these links for more information: Plan budget and rules; Support budgets in your plan; Support coordination;

Plan Management

There are three ways an NDIS Plan can be managed:

1. Self-managed – your services are managed directly by you
2. Plan managed – your services are managed by your Plan Manager
3. NDIA managed – your services are managed directly by the NDIA

Follow these links for more information: Using your plan; Self-management

Plan Review

You will usually meet with your LAC or ECEI and/or NDIS Planner every 12 months for a Plan Review to discuss what you need in your next year’s plan and agree on the goals you want to achieve. Plan Reviews can be scheduled (towards the end of your current plan) or unscheduled (in the middle of your current plan) if your situation or needs change.

Follow this link for more information: Reviewing your plan and goals