The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federal government scheme that represents a new way of delivering assistance to Australians in need of disability support. The NDIS provides funding to approximately 500,000 Australians aged under 65 with permanent and significant disability for services and supports.

The NDIS is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It is funded by the government and its purpose is to implement and manage the NDIS and ensure people with disability continue to get the support they need.

To be eligible for the NDIS you must: be an Australian citizen or hold a Permanent or a Special Category visa. be aged between 7 and 65. and have a permanent and significant disability.

The NDIS provides support and assistance to individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities. The scheme is designed to give support and skill training to participants so that their standard of living and independence improve over time. 

At its core, NDIS also provides economic support to those who are suffering from long-term or significant disabilities that prevent them from carrying out day-to-day activities. Eligible people can vary greatly, with the number and severity of their injuries and disabilities. Funding is allocated on individual needs.

If you are assessed as being eligible for NDIS assistance, you will receive funding on an annual basis to acquire the aids, services, support and equipment that you are deemed to need as a result of an assessment by the NDIA.

At this point, you can choose to self-manage your own funds, in which case you make claims to NDIS personally, you can select a Plan Manager to manage your funds for you or the NDIA is able to manage your funding for you.

To be eligible you must:

• be under 65 years of age
• be a resident of Australia
• have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) and that stops you from doing everyday things by your self

NDIS can provide services such as:

• support coordination
• assistance with daily living
• allied health services
• childhood intervention.

To determine if you are eligible for the NDIS you will need to commence the process by calling the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110 and ask for an Access Request Form.

You may be asked series of questions over the phone before further documentation is send to you which will need to be completed or just give us a call 03 9402 9533, and we can start the process for you.

An ‘access request’ is when you provide information about yourself and your situation to the NDIA so they can make a determination about your eligibility for the NDIS.

When it comes to making an access request, you will be asked to provide the following:

• your name, age, where you live in Australia and whether you have permission to live in Australia permanently,
• evidence of your residence and your age,
• details and evidence of your disability and how it impacts on your daily life,
• current and/or relevant reports you already have from medical specialists or allied health professionals related to your disability,
• and whether you give permission for the NDIA to talk to other relevant people about your disability, such as Centrelink, your GP or a person/organisation currently providing support to you.
  
  

You can also give authorisation for someone you trust to hand over information on your behalf. This often means that you can provide copies of existing information, including letters or reports yourself, or decide to ask your treating health professional to fill out and sign a form so they can provide the information for you.

An access request can be started over the phone by contacting People First Healthcare on 03 9402 9533 or by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110 between 8.30am – 5.00pm.