National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS provides people with disability the support they need to achieve their goals and live life to the fullest. This might include help with household tasks, assistance to get out and about, or support developing the skills you need to live independently or find paid employment. 

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What is the NDIS? 

The NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme. It’s Australia’s national scheme for people with disability. The aim is to give peace of mind by funding the support you need to help you develop your skills and increase your independence over time. 

Getting started

The first step is to find out if you meet eligibility requirements. The NDIS Eligibility Checklist is a short questionnaire that can help you determine this.  

You can then apply to join the NDIS by submitting an Access Request. The Access Request should show how you meet the NDIS requirement, and can be done by: 

  • Calling the NDIS and making a verbal request 
  • Contacting your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS office for help.

After reviewing your application, the NDIS will notify you in writing of their decision. If approved, you will be contacted to arrange a planning meeting to develop your NDIS plan.  

You can find out more about the planning process here.

What does the NDIS cover? 

You can use NDIS funding to pay for supports and services that are: 

  • reasonable – support that is most appropriately funded or provided through the NDIS 
  • necessary – something you need that’s related to your disability. 

This covers supports that help you pursue your goals, be more independent, take part in social activities and work, actively participate in your community, and enjoy life.  

This might include: 

  • help with personal care activities 
  • transport to help you participate in your community 
  • help to successfully get or keep a job 
  • therapeutic supports like occupational therapy, speech therapy and behaviour support 
  • aids or equipment to help you do things more independently 
  • mobility equipment to help you get about more easily 
  • early intervention for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay 
  • support from a support worker 
  • home modifications that help in your everyday life. 

The support provided needs to represent value for money and be likely to be effective and work for you. 

NDIS funding doesn’t cover day-to-day living costs unrelated to disability support needs, like grocery bills. It also doesn’t pay for support that’s provided by other government services. 

In NSW, eligible NDIS participants can receive transport to and from school through the Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP). This service is funded by the NSW Government and provided as an in‑kind support, rather than funded through your NDIS plan. 

Eligibility

The NDIS is for people with a disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. Disabilities may be intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive or psychosocial. 

There are a few requirements to get NDIS support. You could be eligible if: 

  • you’re between 7 and 64 years old 
  • you live in Australia and you’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category visa 
  • you were born with, or acquired, a disability that is both: 
  • permanent – is likely to be lifelong 
  • significant – has a large impact on being able to do everyday things alone 
  • you can show that getting supports now will help reduce your future needs. 
How the planning process works What is an Access Request Form? NDIS Access Request Form Supporting Evidence Form The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP)

The NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme. It’s Australia’s national scheme for people with disability. The aim is to give peace of mind by funding the support you need to help you develop your skills and increase your independence over time. 

The NDIS is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency, also known as the NDIA, and is delivered across the country by community organisations – like us, here at Kirinari. 

The NDIS is for people with a disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities. Disabilities may be intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive or psychosocial. 

There are a few requirements to get NDIS support. You could be eligible if: 

  • you’re between 7 and 64 years old 
  • you live in Australia and you’re an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category visa 
  • you were born with, or acquired, a disability that is both: 
    • permanent – is likely to be lifelong 
    • significant – has a large impact on being able to do everyday things alone 
  • you can show that getting supports now will help reduce your future needs. 

If you’re eligible (or your child, or the person you care for, is eligible), you can apply to join the NDIS. 

If your applications is successful, you meet with a Planner, LAC, or early childhood partner to build your NDIS plan. Your NDIS plan is all about you – your goals and the kind of help and support you need to achieve them. Your plan also identifies the funding you’ll get to work towards your goals. 

Once your plan’s approved, you can start using NDIS funding to pay for your supports and services. 

It’s your plan – this means you (and your nominee or third-party decision makers) control the support you receive, when you receive it, and who provides it.

You can use NDIS funding to pay for supports and services that are: 

  • reasonable – support that is most appropriately funded or provided through the NDIS 
  • necessary – something you need that’s related to your disability. 

This covers supports that help you pursue your goals, be more independent, take part in social activities and work, actively participate in your community, and enjoy life.  

The support needs to represent value for money and be likely to be effective and work for you.  

NDIS funding doesn’t cover day-to-day living costs unrelated to disability support needs, like grocery bills. It also doesn’t pay for support that’s provided by other government services. 

Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) provides children with disability who are eligible with free specialised transport to and from school. Learn more about ASTP.

Recommended NDIS Supported Services

  • Supported Independent Living (SIL) Accommodation

    Supported Independent Living

    Enjoy daily support with new tasks and skills so you can live more independently at home.

    LINK
  • NDIS Personal and Home Care

    Personal and Home Care

    Keep everything at home running smoothly with personal care and daily household support.

    LINK
  • NDIS Social and Community Participation

    Social and Community Participation

    Make friends, learn new skills, and join in fun community activities. This includes Day Programs.

    LINK
  • Rise Training | Disability Employment Training

    Rise Training

    Rise trains and transitions people with disability into mainstream award wage employment.

    LINK