About the NDIS

What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a program in Australia that provides support for people with disability, their families, and carers. It is designed to help people with disability to live more independently, participate in their communities, and achieve their goals.

The NDIS is a funded program that provides individualized support to people with disability, based on their specific needs and goals. The support can include funding for disability-related supports, such as assistive technology, therapy and rehabilitation, personal care, and transport. The NDIS also provides funding for capacity building and skill development, to help people with disability achieve greater independence and participate more fully in the community.

The NDIS is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents who are under the age of 65 and who have a permanent and significant disability that impacts their ability to participate in everyday activities. To access the NDIS, individuals must go through an assessment process to determine their eligibility and the level of support they may be eligible for.

Why was the NDIS introduced?

The NDIS was introduced in Australia in 2013 as a way to provide better support for people with disability, their families, and carers. Prior to the NDIS, support for people with disability in Australia was provided through a variety of state and territory-based programs, which were often fragmented and difficult to navigate. The NDIS was designed to provide a more streamlined and coordinated approach to supporting people with disability, with the goal of improving their independence, participation, and quality of life.

The NDIS was also introduced as a way to address the unequal access to support and services that people with disability often face. Many people with disability in Australia have historically had limited options for support and have faced barriers to participating fully in the community. The NDIS was designed to address these issues by providing targeted, individualized support that is centered around the needs and goals of the person with disability.

Overall, the NDIS was introduced as a way to ensure that people with disability in Australia have the same opportunities as everyone else to live fulfilling lives and participate fully in their communities.

What supports can you receive through the NDIS?

The supports that an individual can receive through the NDIS depend on their specific needs and goals. The NDIS provides funding for a range of disability-related supports, including:

1. Assistive technology: This can include equipment and devices that help people with disability to communicate, move around, or perform everyday tasks. Examples of assistive technology that can be funded through the NDIS include wheelchairs, hearing aids, and computer software.
2. Therapy and rehabilitation: This can include support from professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. These professionals can help people with disability to develop new skills, improve their mobility, and manage their health conditions.
3. Personal care: This can include support with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. Personal care support can be provided by trained carers or support workers.
4. Transport: The NDIS can provide funding for transport to and from appointments, activities, and other important destinations. This can include support for people to use public transport or private transportation options, such as taxis or ride-sharing services.
5. Capacity building and skill development: The NDIS can provide funding for training and support to help people with disability develop new skills and become more independent. This can include support to learn new skills, such as cooking or budgeting, or to participate in education or employment.

The NDIS also provides funding for a range of other supports and services, such as support to access the community, home modifications, and respite care. The specific supports that an individual is eligible for through the NDIS will be determined during the assessment process and will be based on their specific needs and goals.

When will the NDIS be rolled out?

The NDIS has been rolled out gradually across Australia since it was introduced in 2013. The rollout of the NDIS has been divided into different phases, with some regions of the country receiving the NDIS earlier than others.

The NDIS is currently available to all eligible individuals across Australia. However, the NDIS is still being implemented in some areas, and there may be some differences in the way it is delivered depending on where an individual lives.

If you are unsure if the NDIS is available in your area, you can check the NDIS website or contact the NDIS directly to find out more information. You can also contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the organization responsible for implementing the NDIS, for more information about the rollout in your region.

Who is eligible for the NDIS?

To be eligible for the NDIS, an individual must:

1. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
2. Be under the age of 65.
3. Have a permanent and significant disability that impacts their ability to participate in everyday activities.
4. Meet the access requirements for the NDIS.

The NDIS defines a permanent and significant disability as a disability that is likely to be permanent and that significantly affects a person's ability to take part in everyday activities. This can include physical, sensory, intellectual, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities.

To meet the access requirements for the NDIS, an individual must also:

1. Be living in an area where the NDIS is available.
2. Provide evidence of their disability, such as medical reports or assessments from relevant health professionals.
3. Demonstrate how their disability impacts their ability to take part in everyday activities.

If an individual meets these eligibility criteria, they may be able to access the NDIS. However, the specific supports and funding that an individual is eligible for through the NDIS will depend on their individual needs and goals. This will be determined through an assessment process, which involves the NDIS working with the individual to develop a plan that outlines the supports and services they will receive.