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Accessing The NDIS & Terminology

  • Writer: Dee McCulloch
    Dee McCulloch
  • Jul 2
  • 5 min read

Navigating the NDIS: Your Comprehensive Guide to Access and Support

Are you or a loved one considering becoming a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? If you’re seeking to access vital supports and services to enhance your quality of life, understanding the process and requirements is essential. The NDIS provides a lifeline to individuals with disabilities, empowering them to achieve their goals and aspirations.


Step 1: The Access Journey

Before diving into the world of NDIS supports, it’s important to understand how to become a participant. The journey begins with applying to the NDIS, and there are certain criteria you need to meet to be eligible. Here’s a brief breakdown of the process:

  1. Application: To kickstart your NDIS journey, you’ll need to submit an application to become a participant. This application outlines your needs and circumstances, which the NDIS will assess to determine your eligibility. Having robust evidence is important, this might be diagnosis documents, letters from your GP and / or medical and allied health specialists, impact statements from informal carers and yourself, school reports etc. There is no specific list of things to include but the more evidence you have of your impairments and how they impact your life, along with what types of supports might assist the better.

  2. Eligibility Requirements: Meeting certain eligibility requirements is crucial. You need to meet the disability requirements of having a permanent and significant disability that substantially affects your ability to perform daily activities. The disability should also be likely to be present (permanent) for the rest of your life. Be younger than 65 when you apply, be meet the residency requirements as being an Australian citizen or permanent resident and live in Australia. If you’re unsure whether you meet these requirements, you can explore the detailed information provided on the NDIS Operational Guidelines website.

  3. Assessment: An NDIA planner will assess your eligibility and let you know the outcome. This can take some time, so be prepared to be patient. If you are deemed eligible you will receive an NDIS plan. If you don't agree you can request and internal review. If you still don't agree you can make an application to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). These appeal process can take many months. You can find out more about the ART here.


For more detailed information about the application process and eligibility requirements, visit the NDIS website at https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis where you can find more details and the application form.


If want to learn more about disability supports, including the NDIS, you can:


If you contact the NDIS directly, they will connect you with an NDIS partner. If you are over 9 you will connect with a local area coordinator. For children younger than 9, you will be connected to an early childhood partner.


If you are in a remote or very remote area, live in an area without an NDIS partner, have complex support needs, or are in a hospital or justice setting, we will refer you to a person at the NDIA.  


NDIS partners can help all people with disability, including NDIS participants, their families and carers to find the supports you need to be more independent and do more of the things you enjoy in your local area.


Step 2: Connecting with support providers that can help you to implement your NDIS plan. Your plan will set out the support categories you are entitled to. The three broad categories are core supports which is for daily living, capital which is assistive technology, home and vehicle modifications and capacity building which is for therapy and skill building. The way your funds are managed will be specified as either self-managed which means you will pay for supports and then claim for reimbursement, plan managed which means a plan manager will pay the invoices, for both of these you can use both registered and unregistered providers (subject to pricing limits) or your funds may be NDIA managed which means you can only use registered providers who will claim fees directly through an NDIS portal. You can have a mix of the management methods, for example behavioural supports will always be NDIA managed, but your core funding might be plan managed which give you more flexibility. Not all providers are created equal, ask questions and make sure the providers you choose can provide the supports and services that are right for you. If you start with a provider, you have the right to change at any time, subject to any termination terms.


Step 3: Understanding NDIS Terminology

We believe knowledge powers better outcomes, so we encourage becoming educated on NDIS terminology. As you embark on your NDIS journey, you’ll encounter a range of terms and concepts that might seem overwhelming at first.


simplify the process, here’s a breakdown of some key NDIS terminology you should be familiar with to get your started:

  • Agency Managed Plans: In these plans, the NDIA manages funding and pays service providers directly.

  • Assistive Technology: Devices or systems aiding individuals in tasks they couldn’t otherwise perform.

  • Behaviour Support Practitioner: A specialist who has met the requirements to provide positive behavioural supports under the NDIS and who can do functional behavioural assessments. Practitioners must also work for a registered provider, all positive behavioural supports are NDIA managed to ensure compliance and registration of both the practitioners and the provider.

  • Capacity Building Supports: These help participants develop independence and skills.

  • Core Supports: Aid participants in daily activities, disability-related needs, and goal attainment.

  • Choice and Control: Participants have the right to choose their service providers.

  • Funded Supports: Specific services agreed upon by the NDIS for a participant.

  • NDIS Operational Guidelines: The NDIS Access Operational Guidelines provide a comprehensive resource to help you navigate the intricacies of accessing the NDIS and obtaining the support you need. These guidelines offer insights into various aspects, including disability requirements, impairments, and more. You can delve into the details of disability requirements by visiting: NDIS Operational Guidelines 

  • NDIA: The agency implementing the NDIS.

  • NDIS Registered Provider: A provider meeting NQSGC registration requirements and has passed an initial external audit and commits to being audited regularly in order to maintain registration.

  • Participant Statement: Includes personal details, living arrangement, and goals.

  • Plan Management: Understanding financial aspects of your NDIS plan.

  • Psychosocial Disability: Disability arising from mental health conditions.

  • Stated Supports: If a support is 'stated' (it must be specified as such in your NDIS plan) only that support can be purchased, there is no flexibility to choose within the support category. For example, under support coordination, if psychosocial recovery coaching is a 'stated' support you cannot use a support coordinator, the funds can only be used for psychosocial recovery coaching.


At AHEAD, Your NDIS Experts, we recognise that each individual’s journey is unique, and we’re here to provide personalised support tailored to your needs. Our expertise covers a wide range of topics, from understanding NDIS terminology, providing assessments to positive behavioural supports. By partnering with AHEAD, Your NDIS Experts, you can navigate this journey with confidence. We can provide comprehensive assessments to assist with your application. Unfortunately, the cost is not covered by the NDIS, but we can provide an, at fee service.


Once you have an NDIS plan AHEAD, How Your NDIS Experts can help.


Our staff can assist you with supports ask Your NDIS Experts today. We operate Australia-wide, 7-days a week, as we know disability doesn't just happen during office hours. We offer tele-health services, fly or drive in for intensive support or groups of clients and limited face-to-face supports in the Peel Region Western Australia.

 

We have staff available now in the following areas:

  • Behavioural supports

  • Individualised programs

  • Therapy, assessments and recommendations

  • Psychosocial recovery coaching

  • Case management, for when it's complicated

  • Skill development and training, decision-making and budgeting

  • Parent / carer training

  • General and employment related counselling

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