UNDERSTANDING THE NDIS

The NDIS takes a lifetime approach, investing early in people with disability and children with developmental delay to improve their outcomes later in life.

The NDIS takes a lifetime approach, investing early in people with disability and children with developmental delay to improve their outcomes later in life.

What is the NDIS?

National: The NDIS is being introduced progressively across all states and territories.

Disability: The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.

Insurance: The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind if they, their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability, they will get the support they need.

Scheme: The NDIS is not a welfare system. The NDIS is designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time.

Permanent and significant disability: A permanent disability means your disability is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability has a substantial impact on your ability to complete everyday activities.

Supports and services: Assistance or products that help a person in their daily life and help them participate in the community and reach their goals.

Early intervention: Providing support to a person, either a child or an adult, as early as possible to reduce the impacts of disability or developmental delay and to build their skills and independence.

Culturally appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS booklets are available to download or order:

The booklets will help communities understand and apply for the NDIS, and features artwork from local Northern Territory artist Carol Beasley, from the Barkly Region – one of the first NDIS trial sites.

For more information on how to use these products appropriately, feedback and suggestions for translations, please contact [email protected]

If you wish to order hard copies of the booklets, please call 1800 800 110.

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.

Transcript for ‘What is the NDIS’

What is the NDIS?

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years the NDIS will provide an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

More info

Am I eligible?

Answer some simple questions to see if you may be able to apply for the NDIS. These questions are just a guide, the final decision about eligibility is up to the NDIA.

Eligibility checklist

How do I apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria you can ask to become a participant by completing an Access Request Form.

Applying for the NDIS

If you are eligible for the NDIS and have received an ‘access decision’ letter, the next step is creating your NDIS plan.

Creating your plan

Your plan is a written agreement worked out with you. Everyone’s plan is different. We will ask questions about how you are going in different areas of your life, what goals you would like to pursue and what kind of help and support you need. This will help us to develop a plan that provides the right support for you.

Creating your plan

Using your plan

Once you have your plan, there are people who will help you start it. Find out the different types of budgets, and how to use the myplace portal.

Using your plan

Reviewing your plan and goals

Your plan review is the opportunity to check your supports are working for you and they are helping you pursue your goals.

How to review your plan and goals