Understanding The NDIS

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. When it is fully rolled out, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide about 460,000 Australians aged under 65, 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.

Why do we need the NDIS?

People with disability have the same right as other Australians to decide their best interests and to have choice and control over their lives.

The NDIS recognises that everyone’s needs and goals are different.

The NDIS provides people with individualised support and the flexibility to manage their supports to help them achieve their goals and enjoy an ordinary life.

The NDIS replaces a disability system that was unfair and inefficient with a new, national system that is world-leading, equitable and sustainable.

This provides certainty and consistency for people with disability, their families and carers.

Australians will now have peace of mind that if their child or loved one is born with or acquires a significant disability that is likely to be with them for life they will get the support they need, when they need it.

 

Can I access the NDIS?

To become an NDIS participant a person must:

• Have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities;
• Be aged less than 65 when they first enter the NDIS;
• Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa; and
• Live in Australia where the NDIS is available (the NDIS is being introduced gradually around Australia from 1 July 2016)

 

Can I still receive support if I do not meet the access requirements for the NDIS?

• You can still receive advice from the NDIS.
• The NDIS will also connect people with disability, their families and carers, including people who are not NDIS participants, to disability and mainstream supports in their community.
• To find out more about information, links and referrals to community and mainstream support services visit ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.

 

When will the NDIS be available in my area?

The NDIS began in a number of trial sites around Australia from July 2013.

From 1 July 2016, the NDIS will be rolled out gradually around the rest of Australia.

The NDIS is being introduced in stages to ensure it is successful and sustainable.

People will enter the NDIS differently depending on where they live and the type of support they currently receive.

In some states and territories, the NDIS will be rolled out by area while in others people will enter by age groups.

 

Why an insurance scheme?

As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach, providing lifetime support where needed and investing in people with disability early on to improve their outcomes later in life.

 

What is an NDIS provider?

NDIS providers are individuals or organisations that deliver a support service or product to NDIS participants.

Each NDIS participant has their own plan that lists the goals they want to achieve and the supports the NDIS will fund to help them do this. The participant then chooses which provider to purchase supports from.