The National Disability Insurance Scheme is called the NDIS. It’s a new way for people with a disability under the age of 65 to get the care and supports they need. The NDIS is for people with a permanent and significant disability which impacts on their ability to take part in everyday activities.

If you are eligible, you will work out what reasonable and necessary supports you need to live your life and achieve your goals. You’ll then receive funding to pay for these supports. Find more information on the NDIS website.

Before the NDIS was introduced, disability services in Australia had been a lottery. The funding you received depended on how, when and where you acquired your disability, as well as where you lived. Some people got enough funding, some people got none! Really, it was all just a bit unfair!
So, after they held an inquiry, the Federal Government agreed that people with a disability deserved a fairer system. And, more control! And in July 2013, the NDIS was introduced.

The NDIS offers funding for a wide range of needs and services. These can encompass employment, early intervention, housing, recreational activities, and various other areas. As a participant, you have the freedom to determine the timing and location of the supports you receive, as well as the ability to select the disability service providers you prefer to collaborate with.

The NDIS is currently being rolled out across Australia under the management of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) – the agency responsible for delivering the scheme.
The rollout is due to be completed by the end of 2020.

Eligibility for the NDIS depends on a few different things such as:
Location: You need to have been living in an area where the scheme is already rolled out
Age: You need to be under 65 years at the time of your application
Residency: You need to be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen who holds a Protected Special Category Visa
Disability: You must have a permanent disability that significantly affects how you can communicate, move, care for yourself, or manage your life.
Early Intervention: You might be eligible if early intervention would substantially improve your functioning, or delay or decrease a decline in functioning, for you or your child.