The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to empower people with a disability who meet the eligibility criteria to work towards their goals, to identify the disability related support and services they need to meet their goals, and to choose where they would like to buy their supports.
The NDIS has changed the way that disability services are delivered in Australia. It recognises that disability related support is an entitlement, and means you have a choice of service providers in an open market – it gives you more choice and control.
NDIS supports are funded to:
If you enter the NDIS, you will go through a planning process with a NDIS representative, to develop your individual NDIS plan and determine the funding you will receive.
Your NDIS plan will be all about you. It will include details about your personal goals and needs, details about the supports you will be funded for, and how much funding you will receive for these supports.
You will have a planning meeting with a NDIS representative, so they can talk to you about what you need in your plan. It’s a good idea to begin to prepare for this discussion before the NDIS comes to your area.
Once your NDIS plan is approved, it runs for 1, 2 or 3 years, unless there is a significant change in your life that requires a review of your supports earlier. About six weeks before the end of your plan, you will be contacted to schedule a review of your plan and your goals for the year ahead.
The NDIS will fund ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports needed to meet your needs and achieve your goals. Depending on your goals, the funding in your plan may include the following:
The NDIS will fund ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports needed to meet your needs and achieve your goals. Reasonable and necessary supports must:
The NDIS will only fund reasonable and necessary supports needed to meet your needs and achieve your goals.
The NDIS will not replace funding from mainstream services such as education, health, medication or other community services. For example, if you have a disability such as cerebral palsy and need a wheelchair to get around, this will be funded by the NDIS. However, if you also have asthma and use a ventolin puffer or nebulizer, this will be paid for by health services not the NDIS.
The NDIS does not fund everyday expenses such as rent, utilities, food or public transport (e.g. Myki).
Need help? Contact our support team
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas, and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Hearth is committed to providing the highest standard of individualised support for Aboriginal people with a disability and Hearth recognises that the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language, and community.
