A plain-English guide to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and what it means in practice.
NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australia's national scheme for funding supports for eligible people with permanent and significant disability. It gives participants a personalised plan and funding to choose their own supports and providers, based on their own goals, rather than a fixed set of services.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS is run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Instead of a one-size-fits-all system, it gives eligible participants a personalised plan and funding based on their own goals and needs.
That funding can then be used to choose the supports and providers that work for you, whether that's daily living assistance, community participation, Supported Independent Living or something else.
What does choice and control mean under the NDIS?
One of the core ideas behind the NDIS is choice and control: participants decide what supports they need and who provides them, rather than being assigned a fixed set of services. That's a significant shift, and it's also why the provider you choose matters.
What can NDIS funding be used for?
NDIS funding is generally split into three categories:
- Core Supports: everyday supports such as daily living assistance, transport and social and community participation. Usually the most flexible category.
- Capacity Building Supports: supports that build skills and independence over time, such as support coordination, allied health, and help with daily living, employment or life choices.
- Capital Supports: higher-cost items such as assistive technology, home modifications and specialist disability accommodation, where eligible.
What does the NDIS mean for you in the Goldfields-Esperance?
In a region as large as ours, understanding your NDIS plan and who can help can feel like a lot to navigate on your own. That's where a local, registered provider like GIFSA can help, translating what your plan means in practice and connecting you with the right supports close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NDIS stand for?
NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Who runs the NDIS?
The NDIS is run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the Australian government body responsible for administering the scheme.
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
Broadly, the NDIS is for Australian residents under 65 who have a permanent and significant disability that affects their daily life. Eligibility is assessed by the NDIA, and your Support Coordinator or provider can help you understand what applies to you.
What is the difference between the NDIS and the NDIA?
The NDIS is the scheme itself. The NDIA is the government agency that runs it, assesses eligibility and manages participant plans.
What are the three types of NDIS funding?
Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports. Core Supports fund everyday needs, Capacity Building Supports fund skill development, and Capital Supports fund higher-cost items like equipment and home modifications.
Related reading: Getting Started with GIFSA: Your Step-by-Step Checklist