The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a scheme of the Australian Government that funds costs associated with disability. The scheme was legislated in 2013 and went into full operation in 2020. The scheme is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and overseen by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission).
The scheme entitles people with a “permanent and significant” disability (under the age of 65), to full funding for any “reasonable and necessary” support needs related to their disability (subject to certain restrictions). Funding is allocated to the individual, and the individual or their guardian chooses which providers supply the funded goods and services (subject to certain restrictions).
The scheme is entirely publicly funded: recipients do not purchase or contribute to an insurance policy. The scheme is not means-tested. The word ‘insurance’ refers to the scheme’s use of proactive insurance principles to manage long-term financial sustainability, and that it aims to ‘insure’ any citizen will have costs covered in the event they are born with or acquire a disability.
Individual NDIS funding is independent of the Disability Support Pension and universal health care. NDIS legislation draws a distinction between health care and disability supports, only the latter being within the remit of the NDIS. In addition to funding for individuals, the scheme funds some general ‘information, linkages, and capacity building’ (ILC) programs.
Contact The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and ask for an ‘access request form’ to see if you are eligible for funding.
The NDIA are an independent statutory agency, whose role is to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will support a better life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families and carers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Tel: 1800 800 110
NDIS Participant Booklets and Factsheets
Three participant booklets are available to support people with disability and participants throughout their NDIS journey. The booklets are a practical tool to help people with disability, participants, their families, carers and the wider community to learn more about the NDIS, prepare for a planning meeting and to implement their plan.
The booklets are intended for use throughout a person’s NDIS journey and can be used to record key information, write questions and collect thoughts.
More info and to download the booklets
Pre planning NIDS
These are great pre-planning visual cards that can be used for NDIS, OT, support worker, Speechie, anyone in your support network.
There are a set of 12 cards, with an accompanying booklet.
Download PDFs
NDIS Eligibility checklist
NDIS stories and videos: Scroll through to watch a range of videos about the NDIS and how it can help people with disability. You can also search NDIS on YouTube. –
National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013
Latest price guides generally comes out in January and July each year
NDIS terminology explained, reference words and phrases for NIDS, mental health and disability sectors –
Clarification on assistance technology support under $5,000. From October 2019, a new option for the funding and supply of nominated AT supports between $1,500 to $5,000 was introduced. Read about the options at –
Understanding NDIS and Education funding
Our Guidelines: How NDIA make decisions and would we fund it
NDIS Support Calculator This calculator helps participants and providers identify appropriate services for a potential NDIS participant to receive through an individualised funding package.
It may be useful for eligible participant pre-planning, funded participant review, or to advise what NDIS supports are available.
Local Area Coordinators (LAC) work with people with disability and their families. The LAC can help you to understand and access the NDIS and link you to information and support in your community.
LACs have three key roles:
- Link you to the NDIS
- Link you to information and support in the community, and
- Work with your local community to make sure it is more welcoming and inclusive for people with disability.
If you are eligible for NDIS funded supports a LAC can help you to: create your first plan; put your NDIS plan into action; and review your plan.
Early Childhood Early Intervention services (ECEI) support children aged 0-6 years who have a developmental delay or disability and their families/carers. We support families to help children develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their life.
You can contact us if concerns about your child’s development have been identified. As every child is different, we will tailor support to your child’s individual needs and circumstances. We will provide you with information and may also:
- Connect you and your child with the most appropriate supports in your area, such as the community health centre, educational setting and playgroup
- Provide some short-term early intervention where it has been identified as the most appropriate support
- Help you to request NDIS access if your child requires longer-term early childhood intervention supports
- Work with you to develop an NDIS plan, if your child becomes an NDIS participant.
Phone Mission Australia on 1800 860 555 9.00am-5.00pm
Do you have a concern or complaint about your NDIS supports or services? Contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission