The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for Australians with disability, their families and carers.
The NDIS will provide about 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.
As an insurance scheme, the NDIS takes a lifetime approach, investing in people with disability early to improve their outcomes later in life.
The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind that if their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability they will get the support they need.
The NDIS supports people with disability to build skills and capability so they can participate in the community and employment.
The NDIS helps people with disability to:
Access mainstream services and supports
These are the services available for all Australians from people like doctors or teachers through the health and education systems. It also covers areas like public housing and the justice and aged care systems.
Access community services and supports
These are activities and services available to everyone in a community, such as sports clubs, community groups, libraries or charities.
Maintain informal support arrangements
This is help people get from their family and friends. It is support people don’t pay for and is generally part of most people’s lives.
Receive reasonable and necessary funded supports
The NDIS can pay for supports that are reasonable and necessary. This means they are related to a person’s disability and are required for them to live an ordinary life and achieve their goals.
Assistance from the NDIS is not means tested and has no impact on income support such as the Disability Support Pension and Carers Allowance.
For more information contact TAG 5 on 07 3216 8903 or contact National Disability Insurance Agency on 1800 800 110 or visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/