NDIS
Funding the supports you need.What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to people with a disability so they can choose their own providers for the supports that they need to live a full and active life within the community.
The funding for a person’s plan from the NDIS is tailored to the individual through a process the NDIS calls “Person Centred Planning”. The NDIS requires potential applicants to provide details of their diagnosis, current situation and what goals they wish to accomplish.
What can be funded under the NDIS?
Core Supports
Activities that need assistance to do such as bathing, dressing or cooking
Funding for Supported Independent Living and Respite care falls under this category.
Funding to use alternatives to public transport if you are unable to because of your disability.
Things that are needed everyday such as continence aids, wound care, daily health products like colostomy bags.
Funds the support you need to be part of social or recreational activities (does not fund the actual activity).
Capital Supports
Assistive technology to support independent mobility, personal care and safety. Vehicle modifications to either drive or be a passenger safely.
Modifications to rooms or entry / exit of a home to support accessibility and independence in doing daily tasks.
Funds the costs of living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) registered homes.
Capacity Building Supports
Funding for a qualified Coordinator of Supports to assist in the sourcing and assessment of service providers to achieve the goals of the individual. This person can also help resolve any issues with service providers and provide assistance in a crisis situation.
Funding for accommodation within a group home or large residential setting. Also funds any drop-in support within your own home.
Funding for activities such as active ageing, vacation care, weekend programs and group fitness for people with disability. Funds flexible or centre-based respite.
Funds the transition to employment with skills upscaling through to finding employment.
Behaviour intervention and management strategies. Social skills development.
Exercise, personal training, dietician plan and management.
Transition support through school and onto further education.
Financial, organisational, ability to self-manage plan.
Funding for the development of skills for greater independence and community participation. Also funds therapeutic supports.
Note: The categories listed above should be in your NDIS plan in order to go on our waitlist.
NDIS Eligibility FAQs
You are eligible for the NDIS if you:
- have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities or a developmental delay. To meet the NDIS disability rules you need to have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) and that stops you from doing everyday things by yourself. This includes conditions which can vary in intensity, such as mental illness.
- Be aged less than 65 when they first enter the NDIS;
- Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa; and
- Live in Australia where the NDIS is available.
Please note, people currently receiving specialist disability supports in NSW who meet the age and disability eligibility requirements for the NDIS will be able to access the NDIS in NSW, regardless of their residential or visa status.
The National Disability Insurance Agency sets the access requirements for the NDIS. To help you understand if you are eligible for assistance under the scheme, the national NDIS website contains a tool, called NDIS Access Checklist.
The NDIA determines individual eligibility for the NDIS.
Some people, such as those in supported accommodation, will go through a simplified eligibility process. You can check our postcode finder for more information.
If you are eligible and become a participant in the NDIS, you will meet with the an NDIA to discuss your goals and aspirations.
If you are not eligible for an individualised NDIS supports package, you may be able to access the NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building supports.
To access the NDIS, you must be less than 65 years of age when you enter the scheme. If you are aged 65 years or over and currently receive New South Wales Government disability supports, you will not be disadvantaged. You will continue to receive supports that achieve similar outcomes to those you are currently receiving. These supports will be managed by the Commonwealth. If you turn 65 after you enter the NDIS, you can choose to continue to receive support under the NDIS or choose to receive support through the aged care system.
The NDIS is designed to ensure that people will have plans that deliver all the supports they need. There are a range of mechanisms built into the NDIS to ensure that every person with disability can, either directly or with the help of their family, friends, guardian or other supports, make an informed choice about their supports for the future.
For more information on the NDIS, visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/