NDIS Overview

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel complex and overwhelming, with lots of new terms, processes, and decisions to navigate—especially when you’re supporting a child with disability. We’ve created this online resource to help parents understand the basics of the NDIS, how it works, and what it may mean for your family. It’s designed as a clear, practical starting point, giving you simple explanations and helpful guidance so you can feel more confident and informed as you explore NDIS supports for your child.

What is the NDIS?

  • NDIS = National Disability Insurance Scheme

  • The NDIS is an Australian government-funded program that provides support for people with disabilities or developmental delays. It began rolling out in Queensland in 2016.

  • It funds items, services, and supports that are considered reasonable and necessary, and are linked to the participant’s disability or developmental delay.

  • Eligibility criteria:

    • Age <65 years 

    • Australian citizen, permanent resident, or permanent visa holder

    • Have a permanent disability that significantly affects daily life and functional capacity

What is the NDIA?

  • The NDIA = National Disability Insurance Agency

  • Commonwealth government organisation whose role is to implement the NDIS. (i.e. the NDIA runs the NDIS)

  • The NDIA decides: 

    • Who can become an NDIS participant

    • What support they can have funded

  • Sometimes you will deal directly with the NDIA and other times, you may deal with an NDIA partner (people who the NDIA contract to, to help them with certain areas of the NDIS).

Funding for Different Age Groups

  • <9 years = Early Childhood Approach (ECA) 

    • This funding is classed under the Early Childhood Approach. Your child will still have NDIS funding, however it will often be referred to as ECA or sometimes Early Intervention (EI) funding. 

  • 9 years – 64 years = NDIS 

    • For children and adults 9 years and older, this is referred to as NDIS funding.

Key People who can help

People in the NDIS

  • Early Childhood Partner - for ECA participants

    • For children participating in Early Childhood Approach (ECA) programs, the NDIS works with the Benevolent Society to deliver early childhood services in the Greater Brisbane area. This means that instead of dealing directly with the NDIA, you will work with a representative (an Early Childhood Partner) from the Benevolent Society.

    • Working with an ECP ensures your child gets the right supports tailored to their needs while helping you navigate the NDIS process smoothly.

    • Early childhood partners:

      • Conduct your NDIS plan meetings or review meetings, gathering all the necessary information to submit to the NDIA for plan approval.

      • Guide you to access supports, such as allied health professionals (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy) or other services your child may need.

      • Connect you with additional supports in the community, including health services, playgroups, and educational settings.

  • Local Area Coordinator (LAC) - for NDIS participants

    • In South-East Queensland, the NDIS partner for participants aged 9 years and older is Carers Queensland. You will be assigned a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) based on your geographical area.

    • Local Area Coordinators can help to:

      • Understand and apply for the NDIS, guiding you through the eligibility and application process.

      • Create an NDIS plan that reflects your child’s life, strengths, and what is important to your family.

      • Implement the plan, helping you access services and supports to get the most out of your NDIS funding.

      • Review and update the plan as your child works towards achieving their goals.

      • Connect with community supports, including programs, services, and local networks that can help your child thrive.

      • Working with an LAC ensures you have ongoing guidance and support, making it easier to navigate the NDIS and access the right services for your child.

People Outside the NDIS

There are people outside of the NDIS who can provide extra support to help your family get the most out of your plan:

  • Support Coordinator:

    • Helps participants to make the best use of supports in their plan. 

    • Helps you understand and use your NDIS plan to achieve your child’s goals.

    • Can help to connect you with providers, therapists, community supports and other services.

    • Build your confidence and skills to coordinate supports.

    • Note: Support coordination must be included in your NDIS plan to access a support coordinator.

  • Plan Manager

    • Assists with managing funding and payments, receiving invoices directly from providers. 

    • Note: Plan management must be included in your NDIS plan to access a plan manager.

Types of funding management

There are 3 ways of managing funding in an individual’s NDIS plan: self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed. Individuals can choose a combination of management options across different areas of supports. 

1. Self-Managed

  • Families/participants manage the use of their NDIS funding themselves

  • Considerations: 

    • This option can provide better value for money, as there are no additional fees and all funding can be directed toward your child’s plan goals.

    • Families are responsible for budgeting, paying invoices, tracking spending, and entering details into the ‘Myplace portal’.

    • Families can choose any preferred service provider (provider doesn’t need to be NDIA registered).

  • Options for paying for supports: 

    • Make a Payment Request and then pay your provider:
      Once you receive an invoice from your provider, submit a Payment Request online via ‘myplace’, and the money will be deposited into your nominated account within 24–48 hours. You can then pay your provider.

    • Pay your provider and then make a Payment Request:
      Pay your provider using your own funds, get a receipt, then submit a Payment Request to be reimbursed from your NDIS plan within 24–48 hours.

2. Plan-Managed

  • Families who choose plan management use a portion of their NDIS funding to pay a plan manager, a third party who helps manage the funding (see below - additional people who can help). This funding is added on top of their plan and does not reduce therapy or support budgets.

  • Considerations:

    • A portion of the NDIS funding is used to pay the plan manager.

    • The plan manager handles NDIS funds, including paying invoices and budgeting to ensure funds last the full plan period.

    • Families can choose any provider, whether or not they are NDIA-registered.

3. NDIA-Managed

  • In NDIA-managed plans, the NDIA manages the funding.

  • Considerations:

    • Families can only use NDIA-registered providers.

    • Offers less control, but more comprehensive support.

    • Generally less cost-effective compared to self- or plan-managed options.

Support Budgets

For all participants, NDIS funding is split into 3 categories: core support, capacity building support and capital support budgets. 

1. Core Support Budget

  • Used for helping with everyday activities, disability-related needs, and achieving NDIS goals.

  • Most flexible category; funding can often be used across different supports if needed. E.g. If you run out of capacity building funding, you can use your core supports budget.

  • Examples of supports and items generally covered within this category: support workers, transport, consumables - everyday items related to the disability (e.g. continence products) or low-cost assistive technology/equipment.

2. Capacity Building Supports Budget 

  • Used to build skills and independence needed to reach goals.

  • Capacity building budget is flexible within the category only:

    • Cannot be used to pay for supports that fall under Core or Capital categories.

    • Funding can be used flexibly between allied health disciplines, even if your plan lists specific hours for each.

  • Examples of supports and items generally covered within this category: therapy hours (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology), support coordination and plan management fees.

3. Capital Support Budget 

  • Used for higher-cost items and one-off purchases that help your child’s independence or participation.

  • Examples of supports and items generally covered within this category: Higher-cost pieces of assistive technology/equipment, home and vehicle modifications.

Assistive Technologies / Equipment

Assistive technology (AT) includes equipment or devices that help your child do things they may not be able to do because of their disability, or help them do tasks more easily or safely. When applying for AT through the NDIS, it’s important to consider both product risk and product cost.

1. Product Risk

  • AT ranges from simple to complex.

  • Low-risk AT: unlikely to cause harm, can often be tried or purchased in retail stores, and is easy to set up and use safely without professional advice.

  • Higher-risk AT: may be complex (e.g., power wheelchair), potentially harmful, used for restrictive practices, or requires professional advice, setup, or training for safe use.

2. Product Cost 

  • Low-cost AT (<$1,500 per item): usually doesn’t require a support letter and can be purchased using Core Supports (consumables) funding.

  • Mid-cost AT ($1,500–$15,000 per item): requires a support letter from a relevant health professional (e.g., physiotherapist, occupational therapist). The practitioner may charge for the time needed to prepare the letter (approx. 1.5–3 hours depending on complexity).

  • High-cost AT (>$15,000 per item): requires a formal assessment, a quote for the equipment, and a report from a relevant health professional. Practitioner time may range from 3–6 hours depending on complexity.

NDIS Review Process

Summary of the NDIS

Summary of Key Terms in the NDIS   

  • NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency): The government agency that runs the NDIS.

  • NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme): The funding program that provides support for Australians with disability, their families, and carers.

  • Participant: The person eligible for NDIS support.

  • NDIS Plan (Support Plan / Plan): A written agreement outlining a participant’s goals, needs, and funded supports.

  • Provider: Someone who delivers products or services to help participants achieve their goals (e.g., therapy).

  • Supports: Assistance that helps a participant with daily activities and achieving goals.

    • Formal Supports: Paid supports with an agreement or contract.

    • Informal Supports: Unpaid support from family or friends.

  • Mainstream Services: Government services for the general public, outside of the NDIS (health, education, mental health, justice, housing, employment).

  • Core Supports: NDIS funding to help with daily life, including consumables, transport, social participation, and assistance with daily tasks. Flexible across categories.

  • Consumables: Everyday items required because of a participant’s disability.

  • Capacity Building: NDIS funding to build skills and independence, including therapy, support coordination, and plan management.

  • Nominee: A person (usually family or friend) chosen by the participant to assist with unpaid management of supports.

  • Assistive Technology (AT): Devices or equipment that help a participant do something they could not do otherwise, or make tasks easier or safer (e.g., wheelchairs, walking frames, braces, AFOs).

  • Support Coordinator: Assists participants to understand their plan, find supports, and engage with services. 

  • Significant, Permanent Disability: A lifelong disability affecting participation in everyday activities.

  • Reasonable and Necessary: NDIS-funded supports must:

    • Be related to the participant’s disability

    • Represent value for money

    • Be effective and beneficial

    • Consider informal supports available

    • Be funded by the NDIS