The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded program that provides individualised support for people with disabilities. It’s designed to help people live more independently, build skills, and participate in their communities. If you or someone you care for may be eligible, understanding the application process is the first move toward receiving the right support. To qualify for NDIS funding, you must be under the age of 65 at the time of your application, be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa, and have a permanent and significant disability that affects your everyday activities. The NDIS website provides a helpful checklist to guide you through these requirements.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to gather supporting information about your disability. This includes recent medical reports, assessments from health professionals, or letters from your doctor explaining how your disability impacts your daily life. It’s important that these documents clearly show the functional impact of your condition in areas such as mobility, self-care, communication, learning, or social interaction. Once your documents are ready, you can make an access request to the NDIS. This can be done by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or by completing and submitting an Access Request Form.
If you need help filling it out, Local Area Coordinators (LACs) or Early Childhood Partners are available to support you through the process. They can help explain what information is needed and how to provide it. After you submit your request, the NDIS will review your application. This may take several weeks. During this time, they might contact you for more information. If your request is approved, you will be invited to attend a planning meeting.
The planning meeting is an important step where you will discuss your goals, needs, and the type of support you require. It’s a good idea to bring someone with you for support. During the meeting, you will talk about your current challenges, the help you receive from family or community, and the outcomes you hope to achieve through the NDIS. The information you share will help the NDIS create a plan that is tailored to your situation. Once your plan is approved, you will receive funding that can be used across different support categories.
Plan Guard Plan Managers, a registered NDIS plan management service provider, can help you with budgeting and payments once you have your NDIS plan in place. We take the stress out of managing NDIS funding by handling payments, tracking spending, and helping you make the most of your plan. Contact us today to know more!
