NDIS Guide for Participants and Families.
A Plain English Guide for Participants and Families
The NDIS is not the easiest thing to understand when you first come across it. There is a lot of language that feels unfamiliar, a lot of steps, and a lot of people telling you different things.
So let us break it down simply.
This page covers the basics. What the NDIS is, who can access it, how the money works, and how to get started. If something is still unclear after reading this, just call us and we will talk it through with you.
What Is the NDIS?
The NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is an Australian government program that gives people with a permanent disability access to funding for support services.
The idea behind it is straightforward. People with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else to live independently, build skills, and take part in community life. The NDIS provides the funding to make that possible.
You are in the driver’s seat. You choose your supports, your providers, and how everything fits around your life.
How Does the Funding Work?
When you are accepted into the NDIS, you get your own plan. That plan has funding set aside for different types of support depending on your goals and your situation.
The funding generally falls into three areas:
Core Supports Day to day help. Things like personal care, household tasks, transport, and getting out into the community.
Capacity Building Support that helps you grow over time. Life skills, employment support, therapy, and learning to do more independently.
Capital Supports Equipment, assistive technology, or changes to your home that help you get around and function better day to day.
Your funding sits in your plan and you use it with the providers you choose.
How Is Your Plan Managed?
There are three options for how your NDIS money gets handled:
NDIA Managed — The NDIS pays your providers directly. You can only use registered providers.
Plan Managed — A plan manager handles your invoices and payments. You get access to both registered and unregistered providers. We offer this service at Aspire Life Care.
Self Managed — You handle the payments yourself. More flexibility but more admin on your end.
Most participants find plan management the easiest option because someone else handles the paperwork while they keep full control of their choices.
Who Can Access It?
To get onto the NDIS, you generally need to meet three things:
- You are under 65 when you first apply
- You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
- You have a permanent disability that makes everyday life significantly harder
Not sure if you qualify? Give us a call or contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110. A Local Area Coordinator in your area can also sit down with you and walk through the eligibility process.
Where Does Aspire Life Care Fit In?
We are a registered NDIS provider based in Tarneit. We work with participants across Western Melbourne and we offer a wide range of supports, from personal care and household help through to community nursing, employment support, life skills, and plan management.
If you are just starting out or you already have a plan and want to make a change, we are here for a no-pressure conversation.