NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provide Australians who are aged under 65 and have a permanent and significant disability with funding for supports and services.

What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is how the Australian Government provides support to Australians with disability, mental health conditions, chronic illness and who are Deaf.

The NDIS provides funding for “reasonable and necessary” supports for people with a permanent and significant disability to access the supports and services they need to live and enjoy their life.

Every NDIS participant has an individual plan that lists their goals and the funding they have received. They can use their funding to purchase supports and services that will help them achieve their goals.

Everyone has different goals but they could include things like getting and keeping a job, making friends or participating in a local community activity.

NDIS participants control the support they receive, when they receive it, and who provides it.

The NDIS will not fund a support that is:

• the responsibility of another government system or community service (e.g. education)
• not related to a person’s disability.

People who are not eligible for the NDIS can still access other community and government services.

If you, or someone you care for, are not eligible for the NDIS, please contact the Amaze Autism Advisor service for advice and information: call 1300 308 699, email [email protected] or use the webchat on this site. This service is open from 8am–7pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

The NDIS is managed and overseen by an independent organisation called the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

For more information, go to the NDIS website.

Core, capital and capacity building

The NDIA can fund three types of support areas:

• Core
  This is a support that enables you to complete activities of daily living and enables you to work towards your goals and meet your objectives.
• Capital
  This is an investment, such as assistive technologies, equipment and home or vehicle modifications, funding for capital costs (e.g. to pay for Specialist Disability Accommodation).
• Capacity Building
  This is a support that enables you to build your independence and skills.

Within these support areas are multiple subcategories. Learn more about the types of funding available within the NDIS.

For more information

For free and confidential information and advice specific to your situation, contact the Autism Connect advisors on 1300 308 699, email [email protected] or use the webchat on this site. This service is open from 8am–7pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

To find out more about the NDIS generally, visit the NDIS website or call 1800 800 110.

The NDIS website also has an excellent resources page, with downloadable booklets and factsheets to help Australians better understand how the Scheme works, including planning, management and reviews.