Welcome to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)! This guide is designed to help you understand and navigate the NDIS process step-by-step in 2025. The NDIS aims to give people with disability greater choice and control over the support they need to live their lives.

1. What is the NDIS?

The NDIS is a government-funded scheme in Australia that provides eligible people with permanent and significant disability with the funding they need to access necessary supports and services.

• It is an insurance scheme, not a welfare payment.
• It focuses on the individual, giving you control over what supports you receive and who provides them.
• The goal is to help you achieve your goals and participate more fully in the community.

2. Checking if You Are Eligible

Before starting, check if you meet the NDIS eligibility criteria for 2025.

• Age: You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa, and be under 65 years old when you first apply.  
• Residency: You must live in Australia.
• Disability: You must have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities.
  • Your impairment is likely to be lifelong.
  • It substantially impacts your ability to do things like communicate, learn, move, or socialise.
  • You will need evidence (like medical reports) to show how your disability affects you.
   

Where to Find Detailed Eligibility Information:

• The most accurate and detailed eligibility criteria are on the official NDIS website. Look for sections titled "Am I Eligible" or "Accessing the NDIS".

3. Preparing Your NDIS Application

If you believe you are eligible, the next step is to prepare your Access Request Form.

• Gathering Information: Collect all relevant documents. This is crucial!
  • Reports from doctors, specialists (neurologists, psychologists, etc.), and therapists (OTs, physios, etc.).
  • School reports, if applicable.
  • Any other documents that describe your disability and how it affects you day-to-day.
• Describing the Impact: Be clear and specific about the challenges your disability presents in your daily life. Provide examples.
• Getting Help to Apply: You don't need to do this alone.
  • Family, friends, or carers can help.
  • Local Area Coordinators (LACs): These NDIS partners can provide free information and support with your application.
  • Disability Advocacy Organisations: Many community organisations offer free help with NDIS access and planning.

4. Submitting Your Application

Once your Access Request Form is complete and you have gathered supporting documents, submit them to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

• How to Submit:
  • Online: Through the myGov portal linked to the NDIS website. This is often the quickest way.
  • Mail or Email: Check the official NDIS website for the correct postal address or email for access requests in 2025.

5. How the NDIS Assesses Your Application

After submission, the NDIA will review your information to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria.

• Review Process: An NDIA staff member or a partner will assess your form and evidence. They may contact you or your treating professionals for more information.
• Decision: The NDIA will send you a letter informing you whether you are eligible and have become an NDIS participant.
• Outcome:
  • Eligible: You will be advised of the next steps (planning meeting).
  • Not Eligible: The letter will explain the reasons. You have the right to request a review of this decision if you disagree.

6. Developing Your NDIS Plan

If you are found eligible, the next step is to create your personalised NDIS plan. This plan outlines your goals and the funding allocated to help you achieve them.

• The Planning Meeting: You will meet with an NDIA representative or an LAC.
  • Who Attends: You are the central person. You can bring anyone you trust (family, friend, support person) to help you.
  • Discussion: You will talk about your life, your disability, how it affects your daily activities, your current supports, and critically, your goals.
  • Setting Goals: Think about what you want to achieve in different areas of your life (e.g., living arrangements, social life, education, employment, health). Your goals drive your plan. Be specific about what you want to do.
• Plan Creation: Based on this discussion and information, the NDIA will create your NDIS plan, detailing your funded supports and budget.

7. Understanding Your NDIS Plan

Your approved NDIS plan is a document detailing your funded supports and how they align with your goals.

• Key Sections: Your plan will include:
  • Your personal details and goals.
  • Funding allocated across different Support Categories.
  • How your plan funds will be managed (see Step 8).
  • Information on when your plan will be reviewed.

Understanding NDIS Support Categories

NDIS funding is allocated into different categories based on the type of support needed. These are grouped into three budgets:

• Core Supports: Help you with everyday activities, participating in your community, and working towards your goals.
  • Assistance with Daily Life
  • Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation
  • Consumables (like continence aids)
  • Transport
• Capacity Building Supports: Help you build your independence and skills. These supports often help you reach your goals.
  • Support Coordination
  • Improved Living Arrangements
  • Increased Social and Community Participation
  • Finding and Keeping a Job
  • Improved Relationships
  • Improved Health and Wellbeing
  • Improved Learning
  • Improved Life Choices
  • Improved Daily Living  
• Capital Supports: Investments in assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications, and funding for these one-off purchases.
  • Assistive Technology
  • Home Modifications

Common NDIS Support Categories & What They Fund

Support Budget	Category Name	Examples of What Can Be Funded (if needed and reasonable/necessary)
Core Supports	Assistance with Daily Life	Personal care (showering, dressing), help with household tasks, meal preparation support.
	Assistance with Social & Community Participation	Support to go to social activities, attend appointments, participate in hobbies, access the community.
	Consumables	Everyday items related to your disability, like continence products.
	Transport	Funding to pay for transport if you can't use public transport because of your disability.
Capacity Building	Support Coordination	Help to understand your plan, find providers, and use your supports effectively.
	Improved Daily Living	Therapies (OT, physio, speech), training in daily living skills.
	Improved Relationships	Positive Behaviour Support.
Capital Supports	Assistive Technology	Wheelchairs, communication devices, modified computers, hearing aids.
	Home Modifications	Ramps, bathroom modifications (if related to your disability needs).

 

What NDIS Funds Cannot Be Used For:

NDIS funds cannot be used for:

• Everyday living costs not related to your disability (rent, groceries, utilities).
• Supports that are the responsibility of other government systems (like health or education - e.g., standard medical treatments, basic school supplies).
• Supports not related to your disability or not helping you pursue your NDIS goals.
• Illegal or harmful activities.

Where to Find the Full List of Supports:

• The comprehensive NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits documents (previously called Price Guides) detail all the specific support items that can potentially be funded. You can find these on the official NDIS website under "Providers" or "Pricing". Look for the latest version for 2025.

8. Choosing How Your Plan Funds Are Managed

You have options for how the funding in your plan is paid to providers:

• NDIA-Managed: The NDIS pays providers directly. You must use NDIS registered providers.
• Plan-Managed: You choose a registered Plan Manager (a service provider) to pay your bills. They handle the NDIS paperwork for you. You can use both registered and unregistered providers (if they have an ABN). This option is funded in your plan.
• Self-Managed: You receive the funds directly and pay providers yourself. You handle administration and record-keeping. You can use both registered and unregistered providers (if they have an ABN).
• Combination: You can use different management methods for different parts of your plan.

9. Finding and Engaging Providers

Once your plan is approved and you know how your funds will be managed, you can start using your funding to access supports.

• NDIS Provider Finder: The official NDIS website has a tool to search for registered providers.
• Support Coordinators: If funded in your plan, a Support Coordinator is a great resource to help you find and connect with suitable providers based on your goals and needs.
• Local Area Coordinators (LACs): Can also provide information on local service options.
• Disability Organisations: May have lists of providers or offer specific services themselves.
• Word of Mouth: Ask other participants for recommendations.

What is an NDIS Support Worker?

An NDIS Support Worker (sometimes called a disability support worker) is a person who provides direct assistance and support to NDIS participants. This could include help with daily tasks, personal care, accessing the community, transport, or developing skills, depending on the participant's plan and goals. They are one type of provider you might engage.

• When choosing a support worker or provider organisation, consider their experience, qualifications, communication style, and how well they understand your specific needs and goals.

10. Using Your Supports and Monitoring Progress

Start receiving services from your chosen providers!

• Service Agreements: You will usually enter into a service agreement with each provider. This outlines the services, schedule, cost, and how to manage changes or cancellations. Read these carefully.
• Work Towards Goals: Use your funded supports to actively work towards achieving the goals in your plan.
• Monitor & Track: Keep track of the supports you receive, how they are helping you, and how your funding is being used (especially if self-managed or plan-managed). Note what is working well and what isn't.

NDIS Support Login (my NDIS portal)

• If you are self-managing your plan, or sometimes just to view your plan details and track spending (depending on your management method), you will use the my NDIS portal.
• You typically access the my NDIS portal through your myGov account. Ensure your myGov account is linked to the NDIS.

11. Reviewing Your NDIS Plan

Your NDIS plan is not permanent. It is designed to be reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs and support you in achieving your goals.

• Regular Reviews: Plans usually last for 12 or 24 months. You will be notified when your plan is due for review.
• Change in Circumstances: You can request a review earlier if your support needs change significantly (e.g., your disability progresses, you have a major life event).
• Review Meeting: You will have another meeting (similar to the initial planning meeting) to discuss your progress, whether your goals have changed, and if you need different supports.
• New Plan: Based on the review, a new NDIS plan will be created.

12. Getting Help and Information

• Official NDIS Website: This is the primary source for all information, forms, guides, provider search, and updates.
• NDIS Contact Centre: If you need to speak to someone, you can call the NDIS.
  • NDIS Support Number: The main phone number for the NDIS Contact Centre is available on the official NDIS website under the "Contact Us" section. Look for the specific number for participants and the relevant operating hours for 2025.
• LACs and Early Childhood Partners: These partners of the NDIS provide local, face-to-face support for participants and families.
• Disability Advocacy Organisations: Can provide independent support and advice.
• NDIS Support List PDF: Documents like the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (previously the Price Guide) list specific support items. Search for these documents on the NDIS website.