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What is the NDIS?

May 16, 2021


Australia, the largest country in the Oceania region, has a current population of over 25 million people. Of that figure, around 4.4 million people are living with a disability. That’s about 18% of the total Australian population.


Fortunately for the millions of Australians who have a disability, they may be eligible to receive the support they need to help them achieve their goals and lead productive and fulfilling lives.



What is the NDIS in Australia and how does it work?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an initiative rolled out by the Australian Government and is operated by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The scheme is designed to provide individualised support for eligible people in Australia with permanent and significant disability, whether acquired or born with, as well as their families and carers.



The individualised support comes in the form of funding for reasonable and necessary supports and services that are designed to help people with disability to reach their goals and live ordinary lives. For the NDIS, ‘reasonable’ means that the support is properly funded or provided by the NDIS. Meanwhile, ‘necessary’ means that a particular product or service is needed by an individual due to their disability. The type of disability support that a person will receive will depend on their individual needs and preferences. The NDIS will not replace the Disability Support Pension.



What makes the NDIS unique?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme by the National Disability Insurance Agency is unique in the sense that the funding doesn't go directly to disability service providers and instead goes straight to the client, who can choose the disability supports and services they want.



How to be eligible for the NDIS scheme?

Now that you know what is the NDIS, it's time to find out how to know if you're eligible for it.



To be eligible for the NDIS scheme, a person must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or have a protected special category visa
  • Be aged less than 65 years old when they first enter the scheme
  • Have a permanent and significant disability that affects their ability to take part in everyday activities, or have early intervention requirements
  • A permanent disability is a type of disability that a person is not likely to recover from.
  • A significant disability means that a disability largely impairs a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.


If a person meets the above criteria, they will undergo an assessment process to determine their level of need and what type of support they will receive.


How much funding does NDIS give you?

The amount of NDIS funding you receive will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. The NDIA will assess your needs and develop a personalised NDIS plan for you. This plan will include an estimate of the cost of the disability services and supports you may require.



What benefits do you get from NDIS?

There are many ways in how Australian citizens with a disability can benefit from the National Disability Insurance Scheme by the National Disability Insurance Agency. Here are some of the benefits:

  • The NDIS is a national system, which means that people with disability can access the same level of support no matter where they live in Australia.
  • The NDIS is a holistic option, meaning it takes into account a person’s physical, mental, and emotional needs.
  • The NDIS has flexibility, which means that people with disability can choose the type of support they need and how they want to receive it.
  • The NDIS is inclusive and promotes equality, meaning that everyone has the same opportunity to access the NDIS scheme.
  • The NDIS is accessible to all people with disability and will give you the support you need whether you are born with a disability or have developed a disability later in life.
  • The NDIS offers funding for a range of services and supports, including personal care, therapy, transport and equipment.
  • The NDIS helps in promoting social and economic participation of people with disabilities.


What type of support can I get from the NDIS scheme?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides funding for a wide range of supports and services, including:

  • access supports and services from communities – like libraries, schools, community groups, and sports clubs
  • access services and therapies – like occupational therapy, dance therapy, and physiotherapy
  • access support for personal care – like household chores, personal hygiene, and eating
  • access aids and equipment they need – like hearing aids, mobility scooters, and wheelchairs
  • access mainstream supports and services – like the education and health system
  • learn skills they need to be more independent – like learning how to cook, drive, or use public transportation


The supports and services will be based on the unique needs of the participant. Support may be connected to independence, employment, education, transport, and health and wellbeing, among others.


The support categories under the NDIS include:

  • Assistance with Daily Life
  • Transport
  • Consumables
  • Assistance with Social & Community Participation
  • Assistive Technologies
  • Home Modifications
  • Coordination of Supports
  • 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

How do I access the NDIS scheme?

If you are interested in applying to access the NDIS scheme, the first step is to verify whether you’re eligible or not by visiting the NDIS website and completing their Eligibility checklist.


If you think you might be eligible and want to apply, you can either:

  • make a verbal application by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110
  • complete an Access Request Form and submit it to them.


If you are not eligible for the NDIS scheme, there are still other services and supports that you may be able to access. You can find out more about these by contacting your state or territory government.


What will the NDIS not pay for?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme doesn’t fund all supports. A support will not be funded if it:

  • does not have anything to do with the participant’s disability
  • is likely to harm the participant and other people
  • can be delivered more appropriately by another system
  • is similar to other supports delivered under different funding through the NDIS



How do NDIS payments work?

There are two options when it comes to making National Disability Insurance Scheme payments - you can either make a Payment Request first and get the money you need to pay your provider, or pay your provider directly before making a Payment Request.



Make a Payment Request and then pay your provider

If you choose to make a Payment Request first, you can do so through the NDIS myplace portal. Once your Payment Request has been approved, you’ll receive the money in your nominated bank account within 24 to 48 hours and you can then pay your provider.



Pay your provider and then make a Payment Request

If you prefer, you can pay your provider using your own money once you receive support. However, you will need to get a receipt and submit it along with your Payment Request. You will then be reimbursed for your expenses within 24 to 48 hours.


Which option is best for you will depend on your individual circumstances. If you are unsure and would like to get some advice, it is best to speak to your provider or the NDIS directly to find out which option would be best for you. If for some reason you cannot access the online myplace portal to make a Payment Request, you can fill out a payment request form.



How to make a Payment Request?

The NDIS myplace portal offers a quick and easy way for NDIS participants to make a Payment Request and get the funding they need. To make a Payment Request, simply login to your myplace portal and select the Payment Request option.


You will then need to enter the following details:

  • start and end date for the support
  • payment amount
  • support category 


The Payment Request needs to match the invoice or receipt from your provider, or if you are directly employing staff, your payroll records. It should be made against the support category that matches the type of support you are making a request for. Once a Payment Request has been submitted, the NDIS funds will be in your nominated bank account within 24 to 48 hours.


Here’s a detailed guide on how to use the online myplace portal.



Takeaway

To wrap up this article, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Federal Government initiative operated by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that aims to provide funding for a wide range of supports and services for people with disabilities. It is an uncapped scheme that is not means-tested and does not require the participants to pay co-contribution fees. This means the program is designed to be as accessible as possible for all people with disability. Other than that, the supports and services under it can indeed make a huge impact on the everyday lives of individuals who are living with disabilities.


Now that you know what is the NDIS, you should definitely consider applying for it. If you’re looking for products and services that will make independent living easier for you or a loved one, friend, or client, you can use your NDIS funding to cover the costs of INS LifeGuard’s in-home and mobile alarm systems and solutions. Get in touch with us for more information.

About

INS LifeGuard is the only 24/7 nurse on-call personal and medical monitoring in Australia. We provide monitoring technology for both in the home and on the go and can also monitor other provider's equipment. Our services are suitable for anyone wanting support to stay independent such as the elderly, those with medical conditions and disabilities plus enhancing safety and security for lone workers.

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    I hope you enjoy reading this blog post


    INS LifeGuard is the only nurse on-call personal and medical alarm service in Australia. If you would like more information about INS LifeGuards solutions, visit our website here

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

INS LifeGuard is the only nurse on-call personal and medical alarm service in Australia. If you would like more information about INS LifeGuards solutions, visit our website here.

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