The National Disability Insurance scheme ( NDIS ) offers support to people living with a disability. The NDIS aims to enable people living with disabilities the opportunity to live a good fulfilling life, be socially included in their communities, participate in the workforce and gain access to the supports they need related to their disability. Australians living with disabilities accessing NDIS supports are often referred to as NDIS participants. The funding provided by the NDIS is used to purchase disability supports. The National Disability Insurance Agency ( NDIA ) is the government agency responsible for implementing the scheme. NDIA Planners and Local Area Coordinators are employed by the NDIS to meet with people with disabilities and their families. Their job is to create individualised funding plans that are based on that person’s life circumstances, goals and impact of their disability and to ensure they are connected to the necessary support services. NDIS participants can use this funding to choose their providers and access the services that meet their individual needs. The outcomes of NDIS supports are measured over time and reassessed at the end of each NDIS plan. Plans normally last for a period of 1-2 years. https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis(https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOjPBJiBPg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOjPBJiBPg)

From 3 October, participants will only be able to use their NDIS funds for items listed as approved supports. There is also a list of things NDIS funding cannot be used for. In some circumstances, participants may be able to request a substitution from the replacement support list. Refer to the NDIS website link below: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis (https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/supports-funded-ndis)

To be eligible for the NDIS you generally need to meet the following criteria: • Be an Australian citizen • Under 65 years of age • Permanently impacted by your disability across a number of areas in your life The NDIS will only provide funding to support you if you can demonstrate that you have a permanent disability that impacts you across a number of areas in your life including but not limited to the following:Self-care – for example – showering, dressing eating • Self-care – for example – showering, dressing eating • Accessing the community • Working and studying • Social connections – forming friendships and relationships with others • Maintaining your mental and physical health and wellbeing • Ability to live independently or with others The NDIS will assess your eligibility under one or more of the following impairment categories: • Physical • Intellectual • Cognitive • Neurogical • Visual • Hearing • Psychosocial The NDIS can support you if you have a permanent disability that impacts you across a number of areas of your life. Each person’s NDIS funding and support will be based on their individual circumstances, needs and goals. How the NDIS can help looks different for everyone. If you would like to apply for NDIS funding click on the links below to access the NDIS website for more information: Document – Applying for the NDIS – Booklets 1 - 3 https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form (https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form)

What are the new changes to the NDIS legislation? https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation (https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation) What happens if the NDIS checks your NDIS eligibility? https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/what-happens-if-we-check-your-ndis-eligibility (https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/what-happens-if-we-check-your-ndis-eligibility) How does the NDIS decide if you're still eligible for the NDIS? https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/how-do-we-decide-if-youre-still-eligible-ndis (https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/how-do-we-decide-if-youre-still-eligible-ndis) How much time will you have to give the NDIS more evidence? https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/how-much-time-will-you-have-give-us-more-evidence (https://ourguidelines.ndis.gov.au/home/becoming-participant/leaving-ndis/are-you-still-eligible-ndis/how-much-time-will-you-have-give-us-more-evidence)

Be as detailed as possible when completing your Access Request Form Make appointments with your medical professionals ( GP, Specialists, Allied Health Professionals ) to help you complete the form. The NDIS website has further information on the role health professionals have to play in the NDIS and during the the access stage. Please see link to document below: Document - A GP & Health Professional’s guide to the NDIS Include reports from your medical professionals to attach with the Access RequestForm. This is evidence that will be required. Ensure that the reports completed by your medical professionals meet the Reasonable and Necessary Criteria: • Is directly related to your disability • Is not an every day living cost not related to your disability support needs, such as paying for groceries or rent • Represents value for money • Is effective and works for the participant • Takes into account other support given to you by other government services, your family, carers, networks and the community It is important that the NDIA have an accurate understanding of how your disability impacts your life so ensure that when you fill in the Access Request Form you describe the days where you are impacted most by your disability. Submit your Access Request Form before you turn 65 years of age, otherwise you will not be eligible. If you are over 65 years of age you be able to seek support through the Health and Aged Care system. Remember your Access Request form needs to specifically contain the wording that shows your disability falls under one or more of the impairment categories, is permanent and has a significant functional impact on your ability to complete day to day tasks. If you would like to apply for NDIS funding you can contact the NDIA directly: Download and complete the Access Request Form from the NDIS website, https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form (https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form) and email it to the NDIA at enquiries@ndis.gov.au with your supporting documentation. Download the Access Request Form from the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form (https://www.ndis.gov.au/how-apply-ndis/what-access-request-form ) print out the form, complete it and mail it to the NDIA at post to GPO Box 700, Canberra, ACT 2601 with your supporting documentation Email NAT@ndis.gov.au and ask for an Access Request Form to be mailed to you Contact the NDIA by phone on 1800 800 110 and ask for an Access Request Form to be mailed to you

• Becoming more independent • Improving health and fitness • Improving Social Skills • Developing friendships • Participating in the community • Finding and maintaining a job • Studying at school, university or TAFE • Moving out of home • Remaining in your own home

An important part of your NDIS Plan will be your goals. It is important to go into your planning meeting with an idea about what you hope to achieve using the funding NDIA allocate to you. Using the SMART goals concept will help you create, define and measure your goals. This will help your NDIS Planner define the supports you need to help you achieve your goals. Watch this clip for more information about SMART goals: https://youtu.be/VZXcKyevXKM (https://youtu.be/VZXcKyevXKM)

Yes, you can definitely request support coordination funding be provided in your plan by outlining the barriers and challenges you face in your day to day life which impacts your ability to understand and use your NDIS plan funding to meet your support needs. The decision on whether to include Support Cooridnation funding in an NDIS plan or not is ultimately the decision of the NDIA. Not everyone is eligible for Support Coordination funding in their NDIS plan, so for your best chance of having it included you should highlight the reasons why you may need it. For example: Related directly to your Disability due to: • Communication challenges • Changing or high health needs • Complex support needs • Multiple disabilities Related to your Social Situation/Support Network • Your family situation • Other members of your family also have disabilities • Limited or no informal support networks Related to your limited experience exercising choice and control, including knowing how to: • Select providers, including allied health professionals • Provide feedback to your providers • Be an active partner in your therapy • Provide compliments and feedback to your providers • Understand and manage your NDIS plan budget Related to your personal situation • You have cultural or language barriers • You are a young person in an aged care facility • You are new to the NDIS and its processes

A Service Agreement is a document which allows the participant and provider to have a clear understanding about what each party has agreed to.

Best practice is for the Service Agreement to contain the following: • The period/length of time the service agreement covers • The rights and responsibilities of both the service provider and their client • The conditions of service (this should include things like cancellation requirements, travel costs, and adjusting the agreement) • How to provide feedback and make a complaint • An outline of costs that can be incurred • An outline of what supports the agreement covers • The estimated cost of each service and the total cost of the servicescovered in the agreement • Where invoices will be sent (this can include permission to do a service booking if the client is plan managed or agency managed)

You will have a separate Service Agreement with each provider you engage with. It is in your best interests to have a Service Agreement in place to ensure both parties are clear on the arrangement that is made regarding costs and services being provided. For more information – refer to NDIS website link below: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-provider/connecting-participants/service-agreements (https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-provider/connecting-participants/service-agreements)

NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits may be helpful when you are working out what you are willing to pay for a support. This sets the maximum price that providers registered with the NDIS can charge for specific supports. The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits are updated each year on 1 July. For further information click on the NDIS website link below: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements(https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements) https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management/paying-your-supports(https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-plan/self-management/paying-your-supports) https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/providers-and-pricing (https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/providers-and-pricing)

The NDIA is responsible for setting price limits for many of the supports that your providers deliver. Pricing arrangements are the rules around when and how a provider can claim for supports and services from your NDIS funds. The NDIS price limits and pricing arrangements help you get reasonable value for money from your plan funds. For further information click on the NDIS website link below: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/providers-and-pricing (https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/providers-and-pricing)

Yes, the NDIS can provide your plan using the following alternative formats: • Braille • Electronic text (on cd) • Large print • Audio (on CD or USB) Please see NDIS link below: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/receiving-your-approved-plan/your-plan-other-formats (https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/creating-your-plan/receiving-your-approved-plan/your-plan-other-formats)

To use the NDIS participant portals (either myplace portal or the my NDIS portal), you need to link NDIS to myGov. You’ll need to use your activation code to link to myGov and access either portal through myGov for the first time. This activation code is valid for 10 days only. Follow these steps to link NDIS to myGov: 1. Get an activation code by either: • Calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 • Contacting the NDIS through the NDIS website. 2. Sign in to myGov. 3. Select Services. 4. Select Link on the National Disability Insurance Scheme tile. 5. Enter your NDIS Activation Code, your details and then select Submit. 6. Read the Terms and conditions and confirm you have read and agree to them. Select I Agree. 7. Read the Privacy notice and confirm you have read and agree with it. Select I Agree. You are now able to use either participant portal. Find out more about how to use the myplace portal and my NDIS portal on the National Disability Insurance Scheme website.

Visit the NDIS website via the link below: https://improvements.ndis.gov.au/participants/my-ndis-participant-portal-and-app(https://improvements.ndis.gov.au/participants/my-ndis-participant-portal-and-app) Or alternatively view the below video for instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWg-Cw-DuVU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWg-Cw-DuVU)

Yes, the NDIS uses a lot of language that can sound complicated. Please refer to the NDIS website link below for further definitions: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/glossary (https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/glossary)

Further Frequently asked questions from the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/privacy/frequently-asked-questions (https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/privacy/frequently-asked-questions)