The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a scheme created for eligible Australians who were either born with or ‘have acquired a permanent or significant disability acquire with a permanent of significant disability. This is Australia’s first national Scheme that provides funding directly to individuals with disability, developmental delay or developmental concerns.
NDIS Eligibility Checklist Overview:
- Aged between 9 and 65
- Must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Must live in Australia
- Have a disability caused by permanent impairment
Please visit NDIS official website for more details or check this video.
The Purpose of the NDIS
The NDIS is creating a world where people with disabilities have the support, freedom, and confidence to shape their own futures and engage fully in their communities.
At its core, the NDIS is designed to empower individuals with lasting disabilities, ensuring they have access to resources that allow them to live with dignity and independence.
Through personalized support plans, the NDIS helps people pursue their aspirations—whether that means furthering their education, gaining employment, fostering social connections, or improving their overall well-being.
By placing choice and control in the hands of individuals, the NDIS ensures they can decide how, when, and where they receive assistance, providing long-term security and stability.
The program also highlights the importance of early intervention, acknowledging that timely support can lead to better outcomes and reduce long-term challenges.
Recognizing the broad spectrum of disabilities, the NDIS includes support for individuals with psychosocial disabilities, ensuring those facing significant mental health-related impairments can access the care and resources needed to thrive.
At its heart, the NDIS is a commitment to inclusion, respect, and opportunity—helping every individual navigate life with confidence and support
Understanding Your Disability Support Plan
The NDIS collaborates with you and your family to create a personalized plan that outlines the disability supports you may need to achieve your goals.
They will discuss your aspirations and identify the supports that can help you reach them, including existing resources if they are effectively meeting your needs. As your circumstances evolve, your funding plan can be modified accordingly.
For support to be funded, it must:
- Be directly related to your disability
- Demonstrate effectiveness and provide benefits
- Exclude general living expenses unrelated to disability support needs
- Consider informal support from family, carers, networks, or the community
- Offer value for money
The NDIS funds various types of support, including personal care, activities, transport, therapies, home and vehicle modifications, mobility equipment, and employment assistance. To explore more details about available supports and read case studies from NDIS trial sites, visit the official NDIS website
Where to get more information