To access the NDIS the first place to start is to call 1800 800 110

• Get the pack in the post
• Complete the application
• Have your medical history ready to go
• Evidence
• Letters of support from psychologists, doctors, etc

Finding Providers

• Use a Support Coordinator
• The NDIS website is a great place to start
• Word of mouth – ask your friends
• Use a pro

NDIS History

Over 4 million Australians are living with a disability. The Australian government implemented The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2013 in selected locations, and in 2016 established the program across the country.

The purpose of NDIS is to provide support to individuals with a disability, helping them achieve their goals and increase independence.

The Australian Government 22 billion dollars is supplied annually to fund services, programs, and supports to persons living with a disability. There are over 300,000 individuals with a disability who are NDIS participants, including 99,000 who live in Victoria.

The aim of NDIS is to ensure all people with a disability are supported and included in society despite their disadvantage, by connecting them to services and facilitating their needs. This aims to help all people reach their full potential, become independent, and actively participate in the community, regardless of their circumstances.

Key Terms

• National: The NDIS is being implemented across all states and territories in Australia
• Disability: Includes intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial disabilities
• Insurance: Funding is provided for a person who acquires a permanent and significant disability, to receive the support they need
• Scheme: The NDIS is not a welfare system but is designed to help people receive support they require 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.
• Participant: The person who is disabled or who struggles with mental health, and is receiving NDIS funding.
• Local Area Coordinator (LAC): This person is employed by NDIA as a point of contact who can refer participants to Salt
• Support Coordinator: Employed by providers such as Salt to manage NDIS plans and help participants decide which services they want to utilise.
• Support Worker: The SALT Foundation’s verified NDIS Support Worker Specialists provide a range of services to help participants build capacity or offer core support such as community participation, personal training, or transport, etc.

(Information taken from https://www.ndis.gov.au/, National Disability Insurance Agency 2013)

How to Access

To be eligible for NDIS funding a person must:

• Be aged between 7 and 65
• Have a permanent and significant disability
• Be an Australian resident
• Require reasonable and necessary support

To apply for NDIS, you can call 1800 800 110 or go to https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis and follow the prompts to fill in the Access Request form.

View this NDIS video https://www.ndis.gov.au/stories/4770-applying-ndis

The national Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) decides whether a person meets the eligibility criteria and determines how much funding they can obtain. The NDIS Act 2013 suggests what services the participant is entitled to receive. If a person is under 6 years of age, they may be eligible for Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI), instead of NDIS. Evidence such as letters of support from psychologists or doctors and medical history is required.

Once a person is approved, the applicant will receive an access decision letter and an individual plan is developed. The plan is developed based on individual needs and goals the participant wishes to achieve. The participant can then decide whether they would like a support coordinator to help manage their plan or can chose to manage the plan independently. A service provider can be chosen depending on the individuals needs and services desired, to help the individual fulfil what the plan sets out to do. The plan can be reviewed and amended to ensure the participant is happy with its outcomes.

Services

Services and support are determined by an individual’s NDIS plan, and their specific needs or requirements. Participants can contact a service provider to discuss how they can assist in meeting the individual’s goals. Services can include assistance with:

• Personal domestic activities such as shopping, cooking and assistance with organisation
• Transport such as travel to appointments or required activities
• Connecting socially and participating in the community through events, groups, and activities
• Developing and learning desired skills
• Improving daily living to foster independence
• Household tasks such as cleaning, yard maintenance and personal care
• Maintaining and improving health and wellbeing through developing skills, health, and relationships

It is important that the services provided are reasonable and necessary, meaning that the support must be directly related to the persons disability. Operational guidelines outline whether a service is reasonable and necessary, based on the NDIS Act 2013.

FAQs

How is my NDIS plan managed?

It is up to you to decide whether you would like to manage the plan yourself, or if you would like a support coordinator to manage it. You can discuss this with your meeting with an NDIA representative.

How much funding will I receive?

Funding for plans varies across participants, as each individual has unique needs and therefore requires different services and support.

Can I choose my services?

Yes. NDIS gives you flexibility and control to ensure you are receiving the services you desire. Previously persons with a disability were not able to decide their services or providers. NDIS now allows you to make these decisions so that you can be best supported.

Information sourced by National Disability Insurance Agency, https://www.ndis.gov.au/