NDIS Participants
Helping with the NDIS
The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports to assist individuals with a disability.
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports to assist individuals with a disability to:
Pursue their goals, objectives, and aspirations
Increase their independence
Increase social and economic participation
Develop their capacity to actively take part in the community
It is implemented by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To be eligible for a plan, an individual needs to meet the following requirements:
Have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities
Be aged less than 65 when they first access the scheme
Be an Australian citizen, live in Australia, and hold a permanent visa or hold a Protected Special Category visa
You will need to complete an Access Request Form:
For children aged 1-7years, you will need to contact NDIS:
For anyone over the age of 7 years, you will need to contact an NDIS Local Area Coordinator (LAC)
How do I get ready for my NDIS planning meeting?
Once you have confirmation from NDIS that you are eligible you will have a planning meeting. You may have to wait until a meeting time is available so you will have time to prepare what you need for the meeting beforehand.
You will need to think about:
Who will support you at the meeting? (i.e., a professional advocate, or a family member)
What reports will you take to the meeting as supporting documents? (i.e., therapy reports, diagnosis letters)
How do you want to manage the funding? Do you want:
o to manage the funds yourself? (This is known as self-managed)
o a service provider to manage the funds?
o the NDIS to manage the funds?
o a combination of the above?
What will happen at the planning meeting?
During this meeting, the planner will ask you about how you are going in your life, what you want to achieve and what help and support you need.
To help you answer these questions, think about the following:
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What is your weekly schedule? (i.e., extra-curricular or social activities, therapist appointments)
What is the weekly schedule of the people who support you (family or friends)?
What part/s of the week is the most challenging for you? (i.e., getting to school or work on time, homework, managing other family member’s commitments)
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The activities that you are currently doing in the community or you would like to be doing.
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What support do you need to do everyday activities? To access the community? To access family life? To access education/employment? Do you need any special equipment (i.e., speech aid, sensory equipment)
Do you have any travel needs? (i.e., travel training, taxis to access services)
What therapy/therapeutic supports do you need? (Including behavior support, speech therapy, OT)
What formal (unpaid) support do you get from others?
Are there any other supports you do not currently receive that would be beneficial?
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These can be longer-term goals but it is good also to think about goals for the shorter term. Think about what you would like to achieve in the next year and therefore what support might be needed
The NDIS has more information on the planning process, click the button below to know more.
What will my NDIS plan look like?
After the meeting, you will be given a written plan.
What happens next?
You will have choice and control in purchasing supports and services that match your needs. Each year, you will be contacted to review the plan and funded supports in place.
If you currently receive the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) Package, your funding will no longer be accessible once you have an activated NDIS Plan.