National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides all Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with support to improve their quality of life.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the Commonwealth government agency responsible for delivering the NDIS.
What does the NDIA do?
The NDIA are able to:
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help empower and inform people with disability to be confident
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provide information and referrals, links to services and activities, individualised plans and funded supports
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provide service providers with support to grow their business and respond to needs
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raise community awareness
How can I access the NDIS as a participant?
To become an NDIS participant, you must:
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have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
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be aged under 65 when you first enter the NDIS
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live in Australia
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be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa.
If you do not meet the above criteria, the NDIS will still connect you and your family or carer to other disability and mainstream supports in your community.
Does a person need to have a legally appointed guardian to be a participant in the NDIS?
No. Most people with disability don't need a guardian because they can either make their own decisions or can be supported to make their own decisions.
The NDIS aims to build their capacity for self-determination, and decision-making support may be an area for inclusion in the NDIS plan.
Things that help support a person include:
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an approved NDIA plan
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services that meet the person's needs. These are services that promote the person's choice and control
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having confidence in their existing service providers to understand and meet their needs and preferences
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strong relationships with informal supporters who can help the person access and understand information and options for decision-making
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having contact with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to find support services
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having a support coordinator funded in their plan.
What is the role of the Public Guardian in providing access to the NDIS?
In making decisions for a person who we are the Public Guardian for, we will consent to the person becoming an NDIS participant and to specific services to support them as outlined in their NDIS plan.
We will advocate to help them get reasonable and necessary support needs (both current and future) built into their NDIS plans and help them if there are gaps in current support.
Visit the NDIS website for more information.
What is my role as a private financial manager or guardian in providing access to the NDIS?
As a private financial manager or a private or enduring guardian, or you are responsible for signing NDIS service agreements, plans and forms as required, on behalf of the person you are the financial manager or guardian for.