What is the NDIS?

Understanding the NDIS: A Guide to the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government initiative delivered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It is designed to support eligible Australians who are born with or acquire a permanent and significant disability.

A permanent disability is one that is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability refers to a condition that has a large impact on a person’s ability to complete everyday activities.

The NDIS provides funding for reasonable and necessary supports and services related to a person’s disability. In this context, reasonable means the support is most appropriately funded through the NDIS, while necessary means it is something a person requires due to their disability to help them live their life and achieve their goals.

Understanding NDIS Support and Funding

The NDIS funds supports and services that are tailored to each individual. The goal is to help participants work towards personal objectives, which may include:

• Improving speech or communication skills through therapy
• Receiving assistance with everyday living activities
• Accessing equipment to support life at home or in the community
• Learning new skills
• Gaining and maintaining employment
• Increasing independence
• Building friendships and social connections

Once approved, participants receive an individualised NDIS plan. This plan outlines their goals and the funding available to help achieve them. Participants then choose service providers to deliver the supports included in their plan.

Who You Will Work With in the NDIS

The NDIS is delivered across Australia with the help of community partners. These organisations support people to understand and access disability services in their local area.

There are two main types of community partners:

Local Area Coordinator (LAC) Partners

Local Area Coordinators support people aged 7 to 64 years. If you fall within this age range, you can contact the Local Area Coordinator in your local government area. You can find your local LAC through the NDIS website.

LAC partners help individuals:

• Understand the NDIS
• Connect with local community and mainstream services
• Access disability supports
• Apply for the NDIS if they are eligible

Early Childhood Partners

Early Childhood Partners support children under 7 years of age who have a developmental delay or disability. Parents and carers can contact an Early Childhood Partner in their local area.

Importantly, families do not need to be NDIS participants to access support from Early Childhood Partners. They can help families access early supports at the right time, ensuring children and families receive appropriate assistance as early as possible.

The Role of Community Partners

Both Local Area Coordinators and Early Childhood Partners are specialists in navigating the broader disability support system. They help connect individuals and families with:

• Mainstream services
• Community-based supports
• Local programs and resources
• Government services across states and territories

They also assist people in understanding and accessing the NDIS where appropriate.

What It Means to Be an NDIS Participant

If you meet the eligibility requirements and become an NDIS participant, you will receive funding through a personalised NDIS plan. This plan is built around your individual goals and needs.

Your plan may support you to work with service providers, who are professionals offering a range of disability-related services. These can include:

• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy

In addition, your NDIS funding may be used to access:

• Support workers or carers
• Assistive technology
• Home modifications to improve accessibility
• Other supports that assist daily living and independence

Service providers work with you to help you achieve the goals outlined in your plan and improve your quality of life.

If You Are Not Eligible for the NDIS

Not everyone with a disability will meet the eligibility requirements for the NDIS. However, if you are not eligible, support is still available.

The NDIS and its community partners can help you:

• Find and access local community services
• Connect with other government support programs
• Understand services available through state and territory governments

Eligibility is not the only pathway to receiving assistance, and support options exist outside the NDIS framework.

How to Get More Information

For further information about the NDIS, you can visit the official website at ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 1110.

If you need information in another language, you can contact TIS National Direct on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the NDIS on 1800 800 1110.

Conclusion

The NDIS is designed to provide tailored support for Australians with permanent and significant disabilities, helping them achieve personal goals and improve independence. Through community partners, personalised planning, and a wide range of funded supports, the system aims to connect people with the services they need—whether or not they ultimately qualify for NDIS funding.