The NDIS pays for supports that help people with disability live the life they want. If you are new to it, or helping someone through it, here is how it works in plain terms.
Who can apply
Three things have to be true.
- Age. You must be under 65 on the day you apply. If you are already a participant when you turn 65 you can stay in the scheme, or move to aged care, but not both. First Nations people can access aged care from 50 and still remain NDIS participants.
- Residence. You need to meet the NDIS residence requirements.
- Disability. You need a permanent and significant disability that affects your everyday functioning, or you need to meet the early intervention requirements.
How to apply
- Contact an NDIS partner in your area. They do this every day and the help is free.
- Gather your evidence. Identity documents, plus information from the health professionals who treat you about your disability and how it affects your daily life.
- Complete the Access Request Form. You can do this yourself or with help.
- Submit it at a service hub, by mail, or in person.
- Wait for a decision. The NDIS aims to decide within 90 days.
If the answer is no, you can ask for a review, or apply again if your circumstances change. There is no limit on how many times you can apply.
What happens once you are approved
You receive a copy of your plan and can start using the funding from its start date. If you would like one, the NDIS will arrange a plan implementation meeting within seven days of approval to help you get going.
From there it is choosing providers, agreeing what they will do and when, and putting service agreements in place.
How your funding can be managed
There are three ways, and you can combine them.
- Self-managed. You, or a nominee, pay your providers directly and keep the records. This gives the most flexibility and the most paperwork.
- Plan-managed. A registered plan manager pays your providers and keeps your financial records for you.
- NDIA-managed. The NDIS pays your providers and keeps the records.
Whichever you choose, funding can only be spent on supports that are in your plan.
Where we fit in
Alpha Caretaking is a support provider. Once you have a plan, we are one of the organisations you can choose to deliver the supports in it, through Melbourne and across Victoria.
If you are not sure what you need yet, still waiting on a plan, or thinking about changing providers, call 0424 401 349 or send us a message. We are happy to talk it through with no obligation.
Official NDIS information
This page is a plain summary. For the full and current detail, always go to the NDIS directly.
Watch: what is the NDIS?
The NDIS has made a short video explaining the scheme in plain language. It runs a few minutes and is a good place to start if this is all new.
Watch “How To – What is the NDIS?” on the NDIS YouTube channel