What is an NDIS plan?

An NDIS Plan is a document that outlines goals, aspirations, and supports or services you require to achieve the participants goals. The NDIS will provide funding to help you access these supports. They may include; increased independent living, skill building, healthcare supports, assistance in daily activities, finding and keeping employment and accommodation, increased social and community engagement etc.

Each plan is highly personalised, as every single person has unique goals and needs. Every year each plan undergoes a review to ensure the plan stays up to date and covers the ever changing needs of the participant.

What Is The NDIS?

The NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS is an Australian government agency designed to assist people who are impacted by significant disabilities. People who are eligible for assistance from the NDIS are provided with an opportunity to create a plan that outlines their individual needs, goals, aspirations, and the support they may need. The NDIS then can provide funding for these people to access supports and services to help them achieve their goals, and offer assistance in areas where their disability is negatively impacting.

What Supports Can I Access With An NDIS Plan?

The NDIS plans are personalised towards the individual and their needs. The types of service supports can be different from person to person depending on their needs. NDIS funding is broken into three different support budgets; Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Support.

Disabled person in a wheelchair with a cement wall, having fun with a friend

Core Supports budget can be used for a few different services/items.

Consumables: everyday items such as incontinence aids.

Daily Activities: assistance with day to day tasks/self-care activities.

Assistance with Social and Community Participation: supports to help you engage in recreational or social activities.

Transport: if you cannot take public transport for reasons related to your disability.

Capacity Building budget primarily focuses on the goals set out in your NDIS Plan. Funding from this budget can be spent across eight subcategories:

1. Choice and Control:

2. Daily Activity:

3. Employment:

4. Health and Wellbeing:

5. Home Living:

6. Lifelong Learning:

7. Relationships:

8. Social And Community Participaction:

Finally, your Capital Support budget can be spent on assistive supports and modifications. These fall into two categories:

1. Assistive Technology:

2. Home Modifications:

These budget areas have come directly from the NDIS, you can learn more about plan budgets here.

Who Is Eligible For An NDIS Plan?

To be eligible for the NDIS you must have a disability caused by permanent impairment. This may be intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, or psychosocial. You must also need additional support to complete daily life activities. The NDIS is also only available to people over 7 and under 65 - however if you or your loved one falls outside of this range there are other supports available. The NDIS is available to people living in Australia who are Australian citizens, Permanent Visa holders, or Protected Special Category Visa holders - again if you fall outside of this you may be eligible for other support services.

You can find out more about NDIS eligibility or eligibility for other supports directly from the NDIS here.

Give us a call on 1300 933 061 for more information!