The NDIS – Talk Up!

What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is the National Disability Insurance Scheme

The aim of the NDIS is to help eligible people with disability live a good life and access the support they need to enjoy their life.

It can help you to:

Connect with others
Gain independence
Learn new skills
Improve your quality of life
Achieve your goals

The NDIS does this by paying for services and supports.

For example, it might pay for:

Equipment for your disability (like a wheelchair or hearing aids)
Access to a doctor or other health worker (such as a physio)
Skills training and ‘capacity building’
Changes to be made to where you live
Access to support services – these are businesses and community groups who provide support to people with disability.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)

The NDIA is the government organisation that runs the NDIS. They make decisions about whether you are eligible to get the NDIS and how much funding you should get.

Who is eligible for the NDIS?

You can access the NDIS if you:

Are aged between 7 and 65
Are an Australian citizen (or permanent resident)
Live in Australia
Have a disability
Have a disability that is likely to be permanent (will not go away)
Have a disability that affects whether you can work, study or take part in a social life

Children under 7 can access the NDIS ‘Early Childhood’ approach if:

If they have an impairment that is likely to be permanent
If early intervention supports would help and could result in the child needing less disability support in the future
If the support needed is best funded by the NDIS

Children under 7 do NOT need a diagnosis to get NDIS early childhood support

If you are unsure if you are eligible

Call the NDIS on

1800 800 110

How to apply for the NDIS

You can apply over the phone on 1800 800 110

You can also complete an NDIS application form and sent it via:

Email: [email protected]

Post: GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601

Give it to your Local Area Coordinator:
Suite 700, Level 7, 17 Patrick Street
Blacktown NSW 2148
Phone: 02 8833 0500

Things you will need with your application

Documents that prove who you are (such as a driver’s licence)
Any information that proves you have a disability (for example a letter or report from your GP or health worker)
Any other documents you are asked for

You can apply for the NDIS as many times as you like

Local Area Coordinators (LAC) help people with disability to connect with supports and services, and use their NDIS funding. They will be your main point of contact for the NDIS.

Children Under 7

If you have concerns about your child’s development, they may need support

Contact an Early Childhood Partner

Early Childhood Partners are local organisations who deliver the early childhood approach and help families connect with other supports to help their child’s development.

Your local early childhood partner will help you and your child by:

Work with you to understand your child’s needs
Advising you on the best supports and services for your child
Helping you connect with other services and support organisations (even if your child is not able to access the NDIS)

The closest Early Childhood Partner to Mt Druitt is:

Ground floor, 81 Henry St, Penrith NSW 2750

Phone: 1800 953 390

Creating an NDIS plan

If your application to the NDIS is successful, you will receive an NDIS plan

Your NDIS Plan sets out your goals and the supports that will help you achieve those goals.

Your plan will be just for you.

Your plan will include information about you, such as:

Your living situation
Your goals, or things you would like to work towards
Who supports you (such as friends, family, community or government services)
How you can use your NDIS funding (the money in your plan)

To create your plan, you will have a planning conversation with your Local Area Coordinator

You will talk with them about your life, situation, needs and goals
This is an opportunity to make a support plan that is right for YOU

Things you should bring to your planning meeting include:

This NDIS booklet, with as much information filled in as you can
Documents that prove who you are (such as a drivers licence)
Bank account details (if you want to self-manage)
Any information or reports about your disability from your GP or health worker
A list of any assistive technology you use (such as a wheelchair)
Your MyGov login and password details

It is a good idea to bring a support person to meetings. This could be a friend, family member or disability support advocate

Using Your NDIS plan

Once you have an NDIS plan, you can manage your funding in one of three ways:

Self-Managed

This means you manage your own funding.

The NDIS will allocate money in your plan and you will then pay your service providers directly.

Plan Managed

The NDIS will provide some funding in your plan to pay for a ‘plan manager’.

They will help by paying your service providers for you.

NDIA Managed

The National Disability Insurance Agency (the government agency that runs the NDIS) will pay your service providers for you.

You can also choose a combination of the three options.

If you want to learn how to use your plan you can ask for an ‘implementation meeting’ with your Local Area Coordinator, NDIA planner or Support Coordinator. This can help you:

Understand your plan
Learn how to use it
Engage with support services

Where to get help and advice

If you are having problems with:

Applying for the NDIS
Getting the plan you want
Getting the amount of funding you want
Receiving aids or equipment
Making a complaint
Asking for a review or appeals

Or anything else to do with the NDIS, you should contact:

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA (PWDA) for free!

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIA (PWDA)

PWDA are disability advocates. They can help by providing you with information, going to meetings with you, writing letters, making phone calls and helping you make complaints.

1800 422 015