What is the NDIS?

The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is revolutionising the way disability services are provided in Australia. It has been designed to support people with a permanent and significant disability (scheme participants) to take part in everyday activities. Through the NDIS, you identify the supports you need to live your life. These supports help you achieve goals in areas including independence, involvement in your community, education, employment and health and wellbeing.

Understanding NDIS eligibility and how to access funding for supports is a new process and MOIRA have complied some information below to help you get started.

Individuals and families that have received disability and community supports in the past will receive a letter from the NDIA with instructions on the next steps. For people requesting to receive disability supports for the first time you will need to contact the NDIS by calling 1800 800 110 and requesting access.

Eligibility

To receive an NDIS plan you will need to meet some specific criteria details below:
(Accurate as of Oct 2019 – Source www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/am-i-eligible)

Age – You must be under 65 years of age when requesting NDIS funds

Residency – You must live in Australia and:

• be an Australian citizen OR
• hold a Permanent Visa OR
• hold a Protected Special Category Visa, that is you
  • were in Australia on a Special Category Visa on 26 February 2001 or
  • had been in Australia for at least 12 months in the 2 years immediately before 26 February 2001 and you returned to Australia after that day.

Disability – You may meet the disability requirements if:

• you have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (i.e. it is likely to be life long) and
• your impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions unless you have:
  • assistance from other people or
  • you have assistive technology or equipment (other than common items such as glasses) or
  • you can’t participate effectively even with assistance or aides and equipment and
• your impairment affects your capacity for social and economic participation and
• you are likely to require support under the NDIS for your lifetime.
• An impairment that varies in intensity e.g. because the impairment is of a chronic episodic nature may still be permanent, and you may require support under the NDIS for your lifetime, despite the variation.

For more information on NDIS eligibility and how to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme click here.

Getting started

If you meet the various requirements listed above and believe you may be entitled to NDIS funded supports and an individual NDIS plan,
MOIRA recommend contacting the NDIS directly to begin your application process.

The NDIS may require documents, assessments or evidence when accessing your application and must respond to your request for access with 21 days.
For more information on NDIS access visit – www.ndis.gov.au