National Disability Insurance Scheme
Understanding NDIS funding and its benefits
How the NDIS helps people with disability
- The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a transformative Australian Government initiative designed to empower individuals with disabilities.
- The scheme aims to provide targeted support and better care to those in need, ensuring they can achieve their personal goals and live an enriched life.
- Every NDIS participant has an individual plan that lists their goals and the funding they have received.
- Participants (or their care giving relatives) control the NDIS support they receive, when they receive it, and who provides it.
- The funding can be used for NDIS services and supports that help participants pursue their goals which could include things like living independently, getting and keeping a job, making friends or participating in a local community activity.
NDIS funding is made up of support categories.
Each support category has information about the types of supports you can use your funding for and is grouped into:
- Core supports
- Capacity building supports
- Capital supports
Core Supports are there to support you in your daily life, to meet your needs related to your disability, and to help you achieve your goals. Your Core Supports budget is the most versatile, meaning you can usually use it for any of these types of support.
- Assistance with daily Life - These supports assist you with your personal tasks in day-to-day life so you can live as independently as possible and can be provided individually in a range of environments, including your own home.
- Assistance with social and community participation - These supports help you to take part in community, social and recreational activities and can be provided in a range of environments, such as in the community or a centre.
- Consumables - Supports to purchase everyday use items that you need because of your disability. For example, continence, low-cost assistive technology and Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) products.
- Transport - Supports to pay a provider to transport you to an activity that is not itself a support – or to a support that is delivered by another provider. This support category is for transport from a provider. If you receive funding for day-to-day transport, like taxis or public transport, you’ll usually use the Transport Recurring support category instead.
FAQs
Am I eligible for NDIS funding?
If you're an Australian resident living with a disability, you may qualify for funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). To be eligible, you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of seven and 64, and have a significant permanent disability that affects various aspects of your life.
Is the NDIS means tested?
No, your assets are not considered when determining eligibility for NDIS funding. Also, receiving NDIS support doesn’t affect other forms of income support like the Disability Support Pension or Carer Allowance.
How will my funding be managed?
You have three options for managing your NDIS funding:
- Agency managed: The NDIA handles your plan.
- Plan managed: You use a Plan Manager.
- Self-managed: You handle your plan on your own.
Karista can connect you to Plan Managers Search now
Can I change providers if I’m not happy?
Yes, you can switch providers if you're not satisfied. Different providers have different notice periods, so be sure to check your service agreement. Inform your current provider of your decision, and they'll guide you through the process. If you've already chosen a new provider, get in touch with them for assistance.
Can you lose NDIS funding?
Once your current NDIS plan ends, your funding stops. Any remaining funds don’t carry over to your new plan. During each plan review, you'll receive a new plan outlining supports and funds for the next period.
What doesn't the NDIS cover?
NDIS funding doesn’t cover typical daily expenses like train fares, rent, groceries, phone bills, or entertainment tickets.
What does reasonable and necessary mean?
For a support to be considered reasonable and necessary, it must:
- Be related to your disability.
- Offer value for money.
- Have the potential to be effective and beneficial.
- Take into account any informal support from family, friends, or the community. Supports shouldn’t cover general living costs unrelated to your disability needs.
Karista can help
Karista provides a free, independent service connecting you with disability and home care services, therapists and support workers based on your personal needs and goals.
Our goal is to make the journey towards a better quality of life as seamless as possible and to provide better care at total lower cost.