NDIS Guide Australia — What It Is, Who Qualifies and How to Access It
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Contents
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national program that funds reasonable and necessary supports for Australians with a permanent and significant disability. It is separate from the Disability Support Pension — the NDIS funds supports and services, not income.
NDIS vs Disability Support Pension
| NDIS | Disability Support Pension (DSP) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it provides | Funding for disability supports and services | Fortnightly income support |
| Administered by | National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) | Services Australia (Centrelink) |
| Income tested? | No | Yes |
| Assets tested? | No | Yes |
| Can receive both? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
You can receive both NDIS funding and the DSP simultaneously if you are eligible for both.
Who Is Eligible for the NDIS?
To access the NDIS, you must meet the access criteria:
Age
- Be aged under 65 at the time of your access request
- (People aged 65+ may access supports through My Aged Care instead)
Residency
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Be living in Australia
Disability requirements — either:
Disability requirement: You have a disability attributable to a permanent impairment (physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or psychiatric), and the impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate in activities (compared to someone of the same age without the impairment).
OR Early Intervention requirement: Early provision of supports is likely to reduce the impact of your disability, or supports are likely to reduce the future need for supports.
What the NDIS Funds
The NDIS provides individualised funding for reasonable and necessary supports — services and items that are directly related to your disability and not the responsibility of another system (e.g., Medicare, mainstream health, education).
Examples of NDIS-funded supports
| Support category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Daily activities | Personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation |
| Social and community | Support workers for community activities, recreational programs |
| Capacity building | Therapy (OT, speech, physio, psychology), skill development |
| Transport | Vehicle modifications, transport to activities |
| Employment | Employment support, school leaver employment supports |
| Home modifications | Ramp, bathroom modifications, ceiling hoists |
| Assistive technology | Wheelchairs, communication devices, prosthetics |
| Accommodation | Supported Independent Living (SIL), Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) |
What the NDIS does NOT fund
- Day-to-day living costs (food, rent, general utilities)
- Supports covered by Medicare or other government programs
- Supports that are not related to your disability
The NDIS Planning Process
- Access request: Submit an access request to the NDIA — online, by phone (1800 800 110), or through a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or NDIS support planner
- Access decision: The NDIA assesses your access request and informs you whether you are eligible
- Planning meeting: If eligible, you meet with a planner or LAC to discuss your goals and support needs
- NDIS plan: The NDIA creates an individualised plan that outlines your funding and support categories
- Plan implementation: You use your funding to purchase supports from registered or unregistered providers
- Plan review: Plans are typically reviewed annually or when your circumstances change
How NDIS Funding Works
NDIS funding is managed in one of three ways:
| Management type | How it works |
|---|---|
| Agency-managed | NDIA pays providers directly; you can only use registered NDIS providers |
| Plan-managed | A plan manager (funded in your plan) pays providers on your behalf; you can use registered or some unregistered providers |
| Self-managed | You receive the funds and pay providers directly; maximum flexibility, maximum administration responsibility |
Many participants use a combination of management types within a single plan.
Local Area Coordinators (LACs)
Local Area Coordinators are your main point of contact with the NDIS. They:
- Help you access the NDIS and complete your access request
- Support you to prepare for and implement your plan
- Help you connect with community and mainstream services
To find your local LAC, visit ndis.gov.au and use the “Find a local area coordinator” tool.
FAQ
Is the NDIS means-tested? No — the NDIS has no income or assets test. Eligibility is based on your disability and support needs, not your financial situation.
Can I apply for the NDIS if I already receive the DSP? Yes — the DSP and NDIS are separate programs. You can receive both if you qualify for each.
What happens to my NDIS plan when I turn 65? NDIS participants who turn 65 can remain on the NDIS (they do not automatically move to My Aged Care). However, new participants aged 65+ cannot access the NDIS — they access supports through My Aged Care instead.
How do I appeal an NDIS decision? If you disagree with an NDIS decision, you can:
- Request an internal review by the NDIA
- If still unhappy, apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Free advocacy support is available through disability advocacy organisations — find one at disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au.
See also: Disability Support Pension | Carer Payment | Centrelink Payments Guide