What is
NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises that everyone’s needs and goals are different and provides people with tailored support, together with the flexibility to manage their supports.
Everything you need to know about the NDIS
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises that everyone’s needs and goals are different and provides people with tailored support, together with the flexibility to manage their supports.
The NDIS assists people to fully realise their potential and have a say in their own future.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent Commonwealth Government Statutory Agency, whose role it is to implement the NDIS, which will support a better life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families and carers.
The NDIS will mean peace of mind for every Australian – for anyone who has, or might acquire, a disability.
NDIS staff are situated across Australia and work with people seeking disability supports. They can provide information, referrals, links to services and activities, individualised plans and funded supports to people over their lifetime. They will help link the dots between Service Providers and people seeking assistance.
The NDIS is partnering with the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and well-known community organisations to deliver the NDIS in your local area.
Who is the NDIS for?
- Any Australian citizen, any holder of a permanent visa or protected Special category visa (sub class 444) who resides in an area where the NDIS is operating.
- People who have a disability that is attributed to an impairment that is likely to be permanent and will require support for their lifetime.
- People aged less than 65 years at the time of their eligibility request.
What can NDIS include?
- Daily living support
- Transport to assist you to participate in your community
- Therapies
- Employment support
- Access to equipment or assisted technologies you may require
- Home modification support
- Possible vehicle modifications
And much more …
NDIS Budgets
Each support category has many specific supports and services that are recognised within the NDIS payment system these are referred to as ‘line items’ and are not detailed in individuals’ plans. This information is intended to assist with the engagement of, and negotiation with, service providers.
Individual Budgets
Each person with funding under the NDIS will be given a budget that aligns with their individual plan and supports them in achieving their goals. These budgets are broken into three Support Purpose categories: core, capital and capacity building:
- CORE – A support that enables a person to complete activities of daily living and enables them to work towards their goals and meet their objectives. People’s budgets are flexible across the four sub-categories: Assistance with daily living, except where a budget is allocated to Supported Independent Living (SIL), which is always Agency managed; Transport; Consumables; and Assistance with Social and Community Participation. A person may choose how to spend their core support funding, but cannot reallocate core support funding to other support purposes (i.e. capital or capacity building supports).
- CAPITAL – An investment, such as assistive technologies – equipment, home or vehicle modifications, or for Specialist Disability Accommodation. People’s budgets for this support purpose are restricted to specific items identified in the participant’s plan. Most items require quotes, which mean that service providers must negotiate a price with a person in accordance with the specifications usually developed by an assessing therapist. The funding for supports will, as needed, include assessment, delivery, set-up, adjustment and maintenance costs.
- CAPACITY BUILDING – A support that enables a person to build their independence and skills. People’s budgets are allocated at a support category level and must be used to achieve the goals set out in the person’s plan. These supports include Support Coordination, Improved Living Arrangements, Increased Social & Community Participation, Finding and Keeping a Job, Improved Relationships, Improved Health & Wellbeing, Improved Learning, Improved Life Choices and Improved Daily Living Skills.
Next steps
Our staff are ready to have a conversation with you, your family or carer, to pass on the information we have.
This will enable you to have the choice and control of your services by:
- Outlining ways, you can manage the funding for the supports in your plan.
- Providing information about which supports/services you can utilise and how you manage these supports/services.
- Ensuring the planning process is about your goals, lifestyle, aspirations, needs and preferences.