What Is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia's national scheme for funding disability support. It provides individualised funding to people with permanent and significant disability so they can get the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live an ordinary life.
The NDIS is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It replaced the previous patchwork of state-based disability services and aims to give participants choice and control over their supports.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the NDIS, you generally need to:
- Be under 65 years of age at the time of application
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
- Have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to participate in everyday activities
- Need support from a person or equipment
Most people with cerebral palsy will meet the eligibility criteria. CP is a permanent condition, and the NDIA recognises it as such. For children under 9, the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) pathway provides access to supports without a formal NDIS plan.
Applying for the NDIS
The application process involves:
- Access Request โ submit an Access Request Form with supporting evidence from your treating professionals. This includes medical reports, therapy assessments, and evidence of how CP impacts your daily life
- Access Decision โ the NDIA assesses your application (aim is within 21 days but often takes longer)
- Planning Meeting โ if approved, you meet with a planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to discuss your goals, needs, and the supports that will help you achieve them
- Plan Approval โ your plan is approved and funding allocated
What Can Be Funded?
The NDIS can fund a wide range of supports for people with CP:
- Therapies โ physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology
- Assistive technology โ wheelchairs, communication devices, orthotics, home equipment
- Support workers โ help with personal care, community access, skill-building
- Home modifications โ ramps, accessible bathrooms, ceiling hoists
- Vehicle modifications ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝ wheelchair-accessible vehicle adaptations
- Transport โ funding for transport to access the community
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) โ purpose-built accessible housing for eligible participants
- Plan management or support coordination โ help to manage your plan and find providers
Plan Management Options
- Self-managed โ you manage your own funding, pay providers directly, and keep records. Maximum flexibility but more admin work
- Plan-managed โ a registered plan manager handles payments and financial admin on your behalf. Good flexibility with less admin
- NDIA-managed โ the NDIA pays providers directly. Less flexibility (can only use registered providers) but no admin
Plan Reviews
NDIS plans are typically reviewed annually. You can also request a plan review if your circumstances change. Tips for reviews:
- Collect evidence throughout the year โ therapy reports, progress notes, assessments
- Document unmet needs and gaps in your current plan
- Prepare clear goals for the upcoming period
- Consider getting support from a support coordinator or disability advocate
Tips for Getting the Most From Your Plan
- Know your goals โ be specific about what you want to achieve
- Get good assessments โ detailed reports from therapists and specialists make a difference
- Use a support coordinator โ they know the system and can connect you with providers
- Keep records โ track your spending, progress, and changing needs
- Get advocacy support โ if you disagree with a decision, free advocacy services can help you appeal
- Connect with other participants โ peer support groups share valuable practical tips
The NDIS can be complex, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Seek support from your LAC, support coordinator, or a disability advocate.