What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national government scheme that provides funding to eligible people living with disabilities. This funding is designed to enhance their quality of life by enabling them to spend more time with family and friends, achieve greater independence, access new skills, jobs, or volunteering opportunities in their community. 

The NDIS also connects anyone with a disability to services in their community. 

The NDIS is designed to connect everyone with a disability to services in their community, ensuring inclusivity. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries, and schools, as well as information about the support provided by each state and territory government.

The NDIS now supports over 500,000 Australians living with a disability to access the services and support they need.

When did the NDIS start?

The NDIS began in 2013 at trial sites in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. It has been rolled out across all states and territories in Australia since 2016.

How does the NDIS work?

The NDIS is implemented by several agencies and partners across the country.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) plays a crucial role in the NDIS. It is responsible for deciding whether someone is eligible to become an NDIS participant and, if so, how much funding they will receive. This decision is based on legislation called the NDIS Act 2013, which sets out what supports and services are considered reasonable and necessary for the NDIS to fund. 

This is based on legislation called the NDIS Act 2013, which sets out what supports and services are considered reasonable and necessary for the NDIS to fund.

Early Childhood Partners

The early childhood approach helps children younger than 6 who have a developmental delay or children younger than 9 living with a disability. 

Early childhood partners deliver the early childhood approach.

These partners employ early childhood educators and allied health professionals to help children and their families access support and services tailored to their needs and circumstances.

Also, early childhood partners help connect children to other appropriate supports, such as community health services, playgroups, and educational settings.

Local Area Coordination Partners (LACs)

Local area coordination partners are community-based organisations, the NDIA fund, to help deliver local area coordination services in some parts of Australia.

Local area coordination partners work with people with a disability aged 9 to 64.

For most people in this age range, a local area coordinator will be their main point of contact for the NDIS.

Local area coordination supports people living with disabilities in creating and working towards their goals, building the capacity to make their own decisions and choices, and accessing the support they need to live the life they choose. 

Local area coordination also supports communities and multiple levels of government in creating a more inclusive society and delivering improved outcomes for people with disabilities.

Remote Community Connectors

Remote Community Connectors, also known as NDIS Connectors, play a key role in helping to deliver the NDIS in remote and very remote communities.

This includes First Nations people with disability and those from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background.

NDIS Connectors work together to improve the lives of people with disability, their families and their communities.

They recognise diverse cultures and unique approaches to support these communities.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission)

The NDIS Commission is an independent agency that works to improve NDIS support and services. 

The NDIS Commission also receives and investigates complaints about providers and their services.

How to access the NDIS

Access to the NDIS is available across Australia and nationwide. 

Each state and territory has its own contacts and local partners. 

Find out more about your local contacts and access points on the NDIS website. 

At Care With Dignity & Co, a registered NDIS provider, we provide NDIS support and services to Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. Connect with us here.

NDIS funding

Am I eligible for NDIS funding?

The NDIA decides if you’re eligible for the NDIS and how much funding you’ll receive based on legislation called the NDIS Act 2013.

The eligibility criteria for NDIS funding include:

• Your age.

• Your citizenship and residency status.

• The impact of disability on your life.

What support can I get with NDIS funding?

.NDIS support funds could include: 

• Assistance with planning, decision-making and household tasks.

• Aid in building the capacity for living independently and achieving your goals. 

• Help in forming social relationships, financial and tenancy management skills. 

• Support in community activities like recreation, education, training and employment.

Find more information about applying to the NDIS in accessible formats on the booklets and factsheets page.

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