The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a program that provides funding to individuals with disabilities or developmental concerns. Its goal is to help them access services that promote community access and independence.
Children under 7 years old with any developmental concern can be supported through an early childhood program. The child does not need to have a diagnosis to be eligible for this support.
There are some different eligible requirements to be met to become an NDIS participant if you’re from 7 to 65 years old.
Here are the main differences and requirements for each one of these two groups:
- Children up to 6 years old: ECEI
If a child is less than 6 years old and presents with developmental concerns, developmental delay, or a condition that impacts the development of their skills, the child is very likely to be eligible to be an NDIS participant and receive funding to support the development of their skills.
The first step is to find the who is early childhood partner in your area. For example, if you live in Northern Sydney, your early childhood partner is Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
The early childhood team will be able to assess your child and support families in connecting with suitable service providers. They will also support the families in reviewing the progress and outcomes of their children.
Finding the ECEI partner in your area: Offices and contacts in your area | NDIS
- Children older than 7 years old.
People from 7 years old to 65 years old can be eligible to receive NDIS funding if they meet some specific criteria. Apart from the age group, the other criteria are:
- The person must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a protected special category visa, and live in Australia.
- Meet the disability requirement. In other words, a person will only meet this criterion if diagnosed with one or more than one diagnosis described in the list provided by the NDIS.
- Intervention will reduce the need for future support, and/or will help the family to build the person’s skills.
If a person does meet the criteria and is considered to be eligible to access the NDIS, then there are two ways to start your process.
- You can apply for the NDIS through verbal access request OR fill out the Access request form and send it to the NDIS.
- Contact your local area coordinator (LAC) to help you to create a plan and apply for the NDIS.
- You can also get support from a plan manager that could you guide and support you through this process, and also after this process. The plan manager can support your financial and plan management skills by connecting you to services and helping you with budgeting.
Search for LAC in your area: Offices and contacts in your area | NDIS
Plan management guide: Plan management | NDIS
Conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements: List A: Conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements | NDIS
Understanding your funding:
As mentioned above, the NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary supports for a person with a disability to participate more actively in their life.
The funding can be divided into three categories:
- Core: This is to support activities with daily living. This could be with actual assistance in daily life, consumables or low-cost assistive technology, assistance with community participation, and/or transport.
- Capacity Building: This is to help build independence skills, such as help with personal care, home and vehicle modifications, supports to find a job, therapeutic support, and others. This budget can be used for support coordination, living arrangements, building skills for community participation, improve relationships, and others.
- Capital: This is to help with an investment, such as assistive technologies or specialist disability accommodation.
Your budget and the duration of your plan will be decided after an assessment within the NDIS. Some plans will last 12 months, while others could last up to 36 months. In addition, your plan could be rolled over if you agree to it.
For more information about the NDIS, please check the NDIS website or contact your ECEI or LAC to help you with your concerns.