What is NDIS and how do I access funding?

BVC Support’s reader friendly overview.

Please click on the hyperlinks for more information. Information on this page was taken from https://www.ndis.gov.au/ and is relevant at the time of upload.

What is NDIS?

National

The NDIS is being introduced progressively across all states and territories.

Disability

The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.

Insurance

The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind if they, their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability, they will get the support they need.

Scheme

The NDIS is not a welfare system. The NDIS is designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time.

Eligibility Criteria

If you meet the following conditions, you might be eligible for NDIS funding:

1. Living in Australia and have Australian Residency

• Australian Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• Special Category Visa

2. Usually need support from a person because of a permanent and significant disability OR use special equipment because of a permanent and significant disability OR need some supports now to reduce your future needs

If you meet the above criteria, you may apply to access NDIS.

Ways you can access NDIS

• Call NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request (attached below)
• Email your completed Access Request Form to NAT@ndis.gov.au
• Contact your LAC (Local Area Coordinator) or NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) office

When applying, you will need:

1. Completed Access Request Form (attached below)
2. Supporting information about your age, residency and disability or need for early intervention.

Evidence of your disability is: 

• recent
• completed by a treating health professional who is relevant to your primary disability
• confirms your primary disability (impairment that impacts most on your daily functioning).
• confirms the impacts of your disability on the different areas of your life
• describes previous treatments and outcomes
• describes future treatment options and expected outcomes of those treatments.

Example of common treating health professionals include: 

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Paediatrician
• Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Pathologist (Therapist)
• Neurologist
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Physiotherapist

The treating health professional who provides the evidence of your disability should:

• be the most appropriate person to provide evidence of your primary disability; and
• have treated you for a significant period of time (e.g. at least six months).

The health professional will need to provide evidence that:

• You have, or are likely to have, a permanent disability, including information about:
• the type of disability;
• the date your disability was diagnosed (if available);
• how long the disability will last; and
• available treatments (i.e. medications, therapies or surgeries).
• Your disability impacts your everyday life in the following areas, including a description of how each area is impacted:
• mobility/motor skills
• communication
• social interaction
• learning
• self-care
• self-management.

Your treating health professional can provide evidence by:

• completing the NDIS Supporting Evidence Form; or
• completing the NDIS Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form (PDF 196KB) (preferred for primary psychosocial disability); or
• Part F of the Access Request Form; or
• providing existing reports, assessments or letters that show the impact of your disability.

More information about the NDIS Operational Guidelines can be found here