What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

The NDIS is a new way for people with disability under the age of 65 to get the support they need to manage day-to-day living and to socially or economically participate in their community. This means:

  • Social participation is about making friends and getting around in the community.
  • Economic participation is about working, volunteering or studying.

With the start of the NDIS, many people will get funding and support for the first time; others will get funding that better supports what they need to live an ordinary life.

  • It is a national scheme, so it will be the same for people all over Australia;
  • It is designed to give people more choice and control about who, where, when and how supports are provided; and
  • It doesn’t affect Centrelink income or pensions.

How does the NDIS support people?

The NDIS will provide support that is both Reasonable and Necessary

  • Reasonable means something that is fair.
  • Necessary is something you must have.

The NDIS can help with things like:

  • Day to day living support;
  • Getting around in the home;
  • Support to access the community such as social, study, sporting or other interests;
  • Learning new things and new skills;
  • Assistive technologies; or
  • Support you need to live in your home.

It is about the supports you need because of your disability.

The NDIS does not replace the supports people already get from mainstream services like doctors, teachers, and housing. It does not pay for everyday living costs that you would pay for yourself like food, electricity, rent or medication.

The NDIS will start in areas of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Redlands, Fraser Coast and Burnett from 1 July 2018, and Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast from 1 January 2019. A person may meet the access requirements to become a participant of the NDIS up to six months prior to the start date in their area.

Am I eligible?

To be Eligible for the NDIS a person needs to be:

  • Under 65;
  • An Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or hold of a special class visa; and
  • Have a disability which has a significant impact on your ability to participate in everyday activities and will be with you for your entire life.

What does this mean?

If you need help in any of the following six areas, you may be eligible for the NDIS. Eligibility can only be determined by the NDIS. 

  1. Getting around your home or community.
  2. Talking and communicating with others.
  3. Relationship with friends, family and people you don’t know.
  4. Learning new things.
  5. Looking after yourself and personal care.
  6. Doing things day to day, and making own decisions and choices.

If you identified that you need support in any of the above areas you may be eligible for the NDIS. Writing down information about areas where you need support will be useful for any planning conversations you have with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The Grid team have resources to assist with this, please contact us and we can give you more information.