There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.

• You must be under 65 to access the NDIS.
• The NDIS is only available to:

  – People who live in Australia
  – Australian citizens
  – Permanent Visa holders
  – Protected Special
  – Category Visa holders.

The types of supports that the NDIS may fund for participants include:

• daily personal activities
• transport to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities
• workplace help to allow a participant to successfully get or keep employment in the open or supported labour market
• therapeutic supports including behaviour support
• help with household tasks to allow the participant to maintain their home environment
• help to a participant by skilled personnel in aids or equipment assessment, set up and training
• home modification design and construction
• mobility equipment, and vehicle modifications.

The NDIS Act and the rules made under the NDIS Act also tell us which supports will not be funded by the NDIS.

The NDIS cannot fund a support that is:

• the responsibility of another government system or community service
• not related to a person’s disability
• relates to day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s support needs, or
• is likely to cause harm to the participant or pose a risk to others.