NDIS: The Basics

Everything you need to know about applying for and accessing supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

New to the NDIS? Start here

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides more than $26 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability.

The NDIS supports a better life for not just the hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability, but also their families and carers. The scheme is run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Understanding how the scheme works and how you can access support can seem overwhelming. Below you will find everything you need to know about applying for, accessing and navigating the NDIS.


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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to provide Australians who have a disability with reasonable and necessary support in their everyday life. It was NDIS was officially launched in 2016 after a successful three year trial period. The NDIS was intitially introduced to centralise disability support and replace most state based funding.

Before you are able to access support through the NDIS, you need to meet the eligibility criteria. The NDIS will consider things like age, residence, and disability Here are some steps you can take to find out if you are eligible to receive NDIS funding and supports.

If you are not receiving any disability supports and would like NDIS support, you will need to take specific steps to apply for access to the NDIS. We’ve outlined the process in this guide.

Once the NDIA has reviewed your access request and approved your application, you can start accessing NDIS supports. Here step-by-step guide to accessing the NDIS, from applying for access to setting up your first planning meeting.

Funding in an NDIS plan is broken down into three different support packages, which are made up of support categories, each covering different areas of support.

If you’re new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), your first plan is your entry point and the start of your relationship with the Scheme.

Taking the time to prepare for your planning meeting will go a long way to securing the best NDIS supports for you or your loved one. This checklist will help you prepare for your NDIS planning meeting so you can get the most out of your plan.

A guide to help you prepare for what happens during and after an NDIS planning meeting.

A guide to what your first NDIS plan will look like and what to do once you receive it.

One of the biggest decisions you and your family will need to make is how to manage your NDIS budget. Here is a guide to the different plan management options.

A helpful guide to understanding plan reviews and how to appeal decisions made by the NDIA.

Local Area Coordinators link participants to the NDIS. Here’s what you need to know about LACs and how they can help you.

A support coordinator will help you to understand and implement the funded supports outlined in your NDIS plan.

Psychosocial recovery coaches help people with psychosocial disability to live a fulfilling life.

A guide to the different LAC and ECEI partners in each State and Territory.