National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS is the most significant social reform of its kind in Australia since the introduction of Medicare and a world first scheme. At full scheme, it will provide more than $30 billion in funding to over 500,000 Australians with a significant disability. As a social insurance-based model, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach to a participant's support needs, their goals, and aspirations. For many, it will be the first time they will be receiving funding for the supports and services they need.
The NDIS seeks to empower people with a disability through providing individual funding, to purchase the services and supports they need from a competitive and consumer-driven marketplace.
Visit the NDIS website. Objectives of the NDIS
To support the independence and social and economic participation of people with disability.
To provide reasonable and necessary supports, including early intervention supports.
To exercise choice and control in the pursuit of goals, and the planning and delivery of supports.
To facilitate the development of a nationally consistent approach for access to, planning and funding of, and supports for people with disability.
To promote the provision of high quality and innovative supports to people with disability.
Am I Eligible?
The NDIS provides reasonable and necessary funding to people with a permanent and significant disability to access the supports and services they need to live and enjoy their life. Every NDIS participant has an individual plan that lists their goals and funding. NDIS participants use their funding to purchase supports and services to help them achieve their goals.
To be eligible for the NDIS, you must meet the age, disability or early intervention requirements under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act. To test eligibility, a checklist is available on the NDIS website. Click here to go to the Eligibility Checklist.
What will be funded?
Your individualised funding can be used for disability-related supports and services that have been identified through your individualised plan. In line with the NDIS, supports and services are those assessed as being reasonable and necessary.
Supports will not be funded if:
it is likely to cause harm to the person or pose a risk to others;
it is not related to the person’s disability;
it duplicates other supports provided to the person; and
it relates to day-to-day living costs (for example, rent, groceries and utility fees) that are not attributable to a person’s disability support needs.
How We Can Help You
I want to access the NDIS and need some to help throughout the process.
If the NDIS is new to you, we can work with you, your family and/or your support network to navigate the NDIS and give you some practical advice and information when you are trying to get access and get funding approved for the supports you require.
I have an NDIS plan, and I need support to use my funding to access services.
If you have your plan approved and funding available, we can work you to coordinate all your supports, so you get a quality experience and achieve your goals.