The NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federally funded government scheme which is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). 

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.  

The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by your local, state and territory government. 

The NDIS now supports over 500,000 Australians with disability to access the services and supports they need. 

This includes supporting approximately 80,000 children with developmental delay, ensuring they receive supports early so that they achieve the best outcomes throughout their lives. 

Every participant in the NDIS has a plan developed for them which is written by an NDIS planner.  Planners are based in many metro and regional centres, but since Covid19 most planning meetings have been conducted via zoom or phone.   

Your plan will include information about you, any goals you have set with the planner, and any special requirements. Your funding will be allocated to each of three areas.  The funding areas are; 

Core – Funding to assist you with everyday living.  Shopping, cooking, cleaning, self-care and community access (movies, lunch etc) 

Capital – This funding pays for house modifications, technology, wheelchairs etc. that are required because of your disability 

Capacity – Funding to support you to work on your goals and improve areas of your life.  This can include support to get a job, therapy to learn strategies and build skills, making sure you have the skills and knowledge for independent living and providing the resources you need to help you reach your potential in all areas of your life, social, economic and community. 

You are then able to choose the services you want to help achieve your goals and the providers will be paid from the appropriate funding areas.   

Your funds can be managed in three different ways depending on how much you want to control the dollars.  You are able to self manage, which means invoices from providers will be sent directly to you, plan manage where the NDIS will pay a middle-man to keep track of invoices and budget and pay your invoices (which are sent to them) or have the NDIA manage their funding where providers send invoices to the NDIS.

Your plan will be reviewed regularly and you can also request a review if your circumstances change at any time.  At a review you will need reports from service providers regarding the progress you have made towards your goals, any barriers you have faced and any recommendations for the new plan.

People can test their eligibility for the NDIS, by completing an access request form, found here, or by calling 1800 800 110.

Eligibility is based on functional impact not diagnosis or disorder. 

The team at Realise Ability are able to assist with any eligibility questions.  Just ask at reception for our Access Pack.