FAQs
At times the NDIS may sound like another language, that's why we are here to help.
NDIS Journey
Check Eligibility
- Residence: Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa
- Disability: Permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
- Age: under 65 years, under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at the time you register
Access Request Questions
- To confirm your identity and/or a person’s authority to act on your behalf
- To see if you meet the NDIS access requirements
- About providing consent to enter the NDIS
Creating Your Plan
- Preparation for planning meeting
- Setting goals
- Planning meeting checklist
- Ways to manage your funding
Plan budget and rules - Receiving your approved plan
- Compensation
Using Your Plan
- Help starting your plan
- Understanding your plan
- Managing your plan
- Self-management
- Changing your plan
Plan Review
Plan review is an opportunity for you to check if your supports are working for you and they are helping you work towards your goals.
Commonly used Acronyms
NDIS > National Disability Insurance Scheme
NDIA > National Disability Insurance Agency
ECEI > Early Childhood Early Intervention
CALD > Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
CICD > Community Inclusion and Capacity Development
COAG > Council of Australian Governments
WHODAS > World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule
AAT > Administrative Appeals Tribunal
AND > Australian Network on Disability
LAC > Local Area Coordinators
ILC > Information, Linkages and Capacity Building services
SIL > Supported Independent Living
ILO > Independent Living Options
SC > Support Coordination
SSC > Specialist Support Coordination
AT > Assistive Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federally managed and funded scheme that provides support and funding to people with permanent disability, their families and carers. We work with you to figure out a plan that is suitable to your needs and aspirations.
The NDIS supports people with a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in daily life to participate in everyday activities. It identifies the right disability support that is needed to help the participants achieve their goal in life.
The NDIA stands for National Disability Insurance Agency. It is a Commonwealth government agency that is responsible for implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIA is made up of the people who will support you to understand the NDIS and whether you are eligible to access the NDIS.
The NDIA is tasked with assessment of your eligibility to participate in the NDIS. The following are the eligibility criteria:
- Be under the age of 65 years of age
- Be a resident of Australia (Australian citizen,or Permanent Visa Holder or a New Zealand citizen who holds a Protected Special Category Visa)
- Have a condition or an impairment that is permanent and prevents you from participating in everyday activities.
If you are over the age of 65 years, you will not be eligible to participate in the NDIS. You might be eligible for funding by the Aged Care System, instead.
Support under the NDIS includes funds for:
- Daily Personal Activities
- Transport facilities to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities
- Therapeutic Support
- Home modification design and construction
- Help with household tasks to maintain their home environment
- Vehicle and mobility equipment modifications
- Workplace help and training
The NDIS is not means-tested and has no impact on your Disability Support Pension (DSP).
The NDIS is designed to work in association with the health, education and other universal services. It is a universal insurance scheme that is paid through tax contributions like Medicare.
The NDIS does not provide funding for support if it is:
- Not related to a person’s disability.
- A duplicate of another support within a participants personal support plan.
- Related to daily living expenses not tied to a participants disability (e.g. rent, groceries).
- The responsibility of another government system or community service.
- Likely to cause harm to a participant or pose a risk to others.
- Related to income replacement.
A carer is a person who provides unpaid care and support to family members or friends with a disability, a serious long-term illness, a terminal illness, a drug or alcohol issue or who are frail and aged.
Do Carers receive support outside of the NDIS? Carers receive a range of supports including respite support, counselling, education and training, peer support and advocacy.
The Carer Advisory Service provides information and advice to carers and their families about carer supports and services.
