The NDIS & you
An NDIS Participant Readiness activity funded by the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
Do you think the current system is fair,
equitable, and flexible?
“…underfunded, unfair, fragmented, and inefficient, and gives
people with a disability little choice and no certainty of access
to appropriate supports.”
And…Dr Bruce Bonyhady, Chair of the NDIA Board, agrees
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-09/national-pressclub-bruce-bonyhady/5585104
What’s in a name? Insurance, really!
You do not have to pay to be part of the NDIS!
…and again, Dr Bruce Bonyhady explain it best
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-09/national-pressclub-bruce-bonyhady/5585104
Don’t glaze over…we are just getting started
Starts July 2016
Around 97,000 Queenslanders to receive NDIS supports, currently
45,000
National and state-based existing services and supports will continue
Eligible people will be phased in to NDIS
Please explain?
The individual with a disability is at the heart of the NDIS
Eligible people will be assessed for a package of support
Each participant will have a plan
Individualised plans are tailored to the persons goals, personal
circumstances and support needs
The plan is for now and the future
Who’s eligible?
Must meet 3 requirements:
1. Permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in
everyday activities
2. Under 65 years of age when they first access the NDIS
3. Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen who is a
Protected Special Category Visa holder
Complete My Access Checker (ndis.gov.au/myaccess-checker)
Assessment & planning process
Time frames vary according to individual circumstances
Participant will be sent Planning Workbook to assist in identifying :
 Goals and aspirations (written, words, pictures, videos…)
 Existing supports [formal (paid) and informal (unpaid)]
• formal supports are reasonable and necessary
 Important relationships
• a “nominee” selected by the person with a disability
Reasonable and necessary supports
A reasonable and necessary supports must:
 relate to the person’s disability
 not include day-to-day living costs that are not related to a participant’s disability support needs
 represent value for money
 be likely to be effective and beneficial to the participant
 take into account informal supports from families, carers, networks, community…
• Very important that the planner understands what your caring role encompasses so the supports
adequately meet the participant’s and your needs
http://www.ndis.gov.au/people-disability/videos-stories-quotes-and-cameos-0#4
Types of supports
Aimed to increase independence
Transport, workplace help, equipment & aids, household help,
training, supports to sustain informal supports
Supports to sustain informal supports
Nature, extent, frequency of your caring role
What do you want or need to keep providing the same level of
care?
Have a say…choice & control, self-direction or
self-management
Choice & control over
 how supports are provided
 how they are used
 who will provide the support
Self-direction: the individual will decide how planned supports services are used,
such as choosing who provides supports - a carer may guide and assist
Self-management: the individual or nominee manages the funds received to pay
for planned supports services supports
Ways to manage NDIS funding
Different depending on individual circumstances
Different options can be chosen for different supports
 Self-managed by the participant
 A Plan “nominee” manages the supports
 Registered plan management provider
 The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
 Combination
Impact on pensions and allowances
Disability Support Pension will not be affected by participating in the NDIS
Mobility Allowance will cease once NDIS plan begins. The NDIS will provide reasonable and
necessary transport assistance.
Carer payment and allowance will only be affected if the NDIS plan substantially changes
the care arrangements, to the extent that the carer is no longer eligible under Centrelink
criteria
Participating in the scheme does not directly affect Carer Payment and Carer Allowance in
the way that the Mobility Allowance is directly affected.
In a nutshell
1. Check eligibility
 3 requirements
2. Apply to the NDIA (or wait to be contacted directly)
 No referral needed
 Walk into an NDIA office
 Ring 1800 800 110
 Visit www.ndis.gov.au
3. Complete the NDIS planning & assessment Process
 Workbook
 Participant (or NDIA) may nominate a person to assist
 Meetings with NDIS planner - as many as it takes
 Explain your caring role
4. Implement plan