Resources

The NDIS is the ‘National Disability Insurance Scheme’ which is implemented by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), an independent statutory agency.

The NDIS is Australia’s first national Scheme for people with disability. It provides funding directly to individuals to give them freedom to choose who supports them, and the flexibility to work with a range of service providers to help participants reach their goals.

To access the NDIS you must meet the following criteria:

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa

• be under 65 years old

• have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent and that significantly impacts your day-to-day functioning

You can check your eligibility to receive NDIS funding by completing the NDIS Access Checklist or contacting the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110.

If you think you might be eligible and are ready to apply you can:

• make a verbal application by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110

• complete an Access Request Form

If you need help with applying, please contact your local area coordinator, early childhood partner or NDIA office. More information on how to apply can be found at the NDIS website here.

Once have applied and received an ‘access decision’ letter, the next step is creating your NDIS plan. We can assist in this area if you would like to have support coordination included in your plan.

A support coordinator is a type of provider that can help NDIS participants to understand and use the supports in their NDIS plan.

You are able to choose from both registered and unregistered support coordination providers.

When your NDIS plan is approved, you might receive funded support coordination depending on your individual needs and circumstances, such as your disability or personal situation.

Funding is based on what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ to pursue your goals, in addition to the support provided by family, friends, and other community and government services. It will be included in the Capacity Building budget as a fixed amount for a support coordinator to help you action your plan.

• If your plan describes (or ‘states’) the level of support coordination funded, you can only purchase this level of support coordination.

• If your plan does not describe the level of support coordination funded, you can choose to purchase the level of support coordination that suits your needs.

Depending on your preferences and choices, support coordinators can:

• Help you understand and use your NDIS plan

• Make the most of your funded supports

• Find and connect you with service providers

• Talk to service providers on your behalf

• Attend review meetings with you

• Request progress notes from providers

• Provide access to further community and mainstream services

• Connect with people in your life such as family, friends and carers

• Help you with your service agreements and service bookings

• Help you decide when you want to access supports and services and how much you want to pay for these (i.e. assistance with scheduling, budgeting and time management)

• Work with your plan manager to allocate funding, or discuss and resolve any problems with providers

• Prepare you for your NDIS reviews

• Build your ability to become more independent

You and your support coordinator should set up a service agreement. It should include:

• What services will be available and provided by the support coordinator

• The roles and responsibilities of you and your support coordinator

• How to resolve any problems

• What happens if you or your support coordinator want to change or cancel your support coordination services.

You can change support coordinators at any time.

You should discuss this with your current support coordinator before changing as you will likely need to follow the process in your service agreement to update and end your service booking. They can help you to do this and should help you find a new provider.

You can then create a service booking with your new support coordinator using your remaining support coordination funding.

Your current support coordinator must give you a report which outlines what your new support coordinator needs to know. A copy should also be provided to your new support coordinator and the NDIA to ensure you keep getting the services you need.

Advocacy means getting support from another person to help express your views and wishes and to help you stand up for your rights.

A participant’s support coordinator should not be acting as their formal advocate. A support coordinator’s role is to refer and connect a participant to advocacy services where necessary.

If you would like to seek an independent advocate to work with today, try searching the National Disability Advocacy Finder or speak with your current support coordinator.