What is NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s first national Scheme for people with disability.
NDIS – What does it mean?
N
National
The NDIS is being introduced progressively across all states and territories.
D
Disability
The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.
I
Insurance
The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind that if they, their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability, they will get the support they need.
S
Scheme
The NDIS is not a welfare system. The NDIS is designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time.
It provides support to people with disability, their families and carers. It gives people with permanent and significant disability, choice and control over the support they receive.
The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
Who is the NDIS for?
The NDIA makes decisions about who can access the NDIS based on the information they provide about their disability and how it impacts on their day-to-day life. To be eligible for the NDIS, you must:
- have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities or a developmental delay
- be less than 65 years old when you first access the NDIS
- be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa
To find out more, visit Accessing the NDIS or call 1800 800 110
What type of supports are funded?
The types of supports that the NDIS may fund for participants include:
- daily personal activities
- transport to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities
- workplace help to allow a participant to successfully get or keep employment in the open or supported labour market
- therapeutic supports including behaviour support
- help with household tasks to allow the participant to maintain their home environment
- help to a participant by skilled personnel in aids or equipment assessment, set up and training
- home modification design and construction
- mobility equipment, and
- vehicle modifications.
Find more information on types of funded supports
How does the NDIS support families and carers?
Although the NDIS supports people with permanent and significant disability, their NDIS-funded supports and services may have a direct or indirect benefit for families and carers.
In addition to the government-funded programs available to support carers, an NDIS participant might use funding in their plan to facilitate respite.
Respite supports participants and their carers by giving carers short breaks from their caring responsibilities. It also gives participants time away from their families.
For carers, taking some time off can help them better manage their own health and improve their wellbeing.
The NDIS also offers information and connections to services in your local community, and information about what support is available.
More Information
You can talk to an NDIS representative, or the NDIS, at any time about your plan. You can also bring someone to your meetings.
For more information, you can visit www.ndis.gov.au or contact us on 1800 814 778. We are here to support you.
