FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- 01
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
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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:
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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
- 04
What are the new changes to the NDIS legislation?
https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation
What happens if the NDIS checks your NDIS eligibility?
How does the NDIS decide if you're still eligible for the NDIS?
How much time will you have to give the NDIS more evidence?
- 05
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
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
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
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- 07
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
- 08
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
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- 10
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)
- 11
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
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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/participants/using-your-plan/self-management/paying-your-supports
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/working-providers/providers-and-pricing
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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
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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:
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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:
Get an activation code by either:
Calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110
Contacting the NDIS through the NDIS website.
Sign in to myGov.
Select Services.
Select Link on the National Disability Insurance Scheme tile.
Enter your NDIS Activation Code, your details and then select Submit.
Read the Terms and conditions and confirm you have read and agree to them. Select I Agree.
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.
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Visit the NDIS website via the link below:
https://improvements.ndis.gov.au/participants/my-ndis-participant-portal-and-app
Or alternatively view the below video for instructions:
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Yes, the NDIS uses a lot of language that can sound complicated.
Please refer to the NDIS website link below for further definitions:
- 18
Further Frequently asked questions from the NDIS website:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policies/privacy/frequently-asked-questions