The National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS is run by the National Disability Insurance Agency, or NDIA. The NDIS is one component of the National Disability Strategy which brings community, government and industry together to address the challenges faced by people with disability, and ensures they are supported by mainstream services such as health, education and transport and the wider community. The aim of the NDIS is simple: To provide Australians who are born with or acquire a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to live and enjoy an ordinary life. The vision of the NDIS is also simple: To build independence, and increase opportunities and social participation for people living with disability in Australia. The NDIS consists of two parts: NDIS funded supports for eligible participants, and Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (or ILC which is all about connecting your with your community) – for all people with disability. People with disability who are eligible to become NDIS participants will receive funded support. Each NDIS participant has a plan that focuses on building their independence, and increasing opportunities. This could mean participating in activities in your community, getting a job or learning a new skill. The important thing is that the participant has choice and control of the supports they need to live the lift they want. By 2020 around 460,000 people with disability living in Australia will have a funded plan under the NDIS. The second part of the NDIS is Information, Linkages and Capacity Building or ILC. ILC is for all people with disability, whether they are an NDIS participant or not. ILC has two objectives: • That people with disability have the ability to achieve their goals • That people with disability are included in all aspects of community life. ILC is all about inclusion – it’s about creating connections between people with disability and the communities they live in. The NDIS is not just for the expected 460,000 participants, or for the 2 million people living with disability in Australia, the NDIS is for all of us. For more information visit our website: www.ndis.gov.au or call 1800 800 110.

As the NDIS is introduced around Australia, you may have a few questions about how to access the NDIS. This video will help you answer some of the more common ones. Further information can be found at https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process.html

How your NDIS support budget works. Every NDIS participant has different needs. Your NDIS funding is there to help you meet your short and medium to long-term goals in your NDIS plan. There are three types of support budgets that may be funded in your NDIS plan: Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports. Your funding is based on what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ to achieve your goals in addition to the support provided by family friends and other community and government services. Core supports help you with activities related to daily living. For example support with your everyday needs. Your Core Budget is the most flexible part of your funding. The amount of flexibility will depend on how you've chosen to manage each of the categories in your budget. You may choose to either self-manage your supports, ask the National Disability Insurance Agency to pay on your behalf, or ask a third-party to manage payments for you (otherwise known as a plan manager). The budget categories within core supports are: 1. Consumables - for purchasing everyday items such as continence aides, low-risk assistive technology and equipment. 2. Daily Activities - for assistance with self-care such as showering or supermarket shopping 3. Social and Community Participation - such as supports to enable you to engage in social or recreational activities. If transport is considered reasonable and necessary for you, it can also be included in core supports. You may have this part of your support budget paid into your nominated bank account on a fortnightly basis. Capacity Building supports help you to build your longer-term independence and skills. For example you could undertake development and training to increase your skills in order to find a job or learn to do new things like catch public transport. Capital Supports include higher cost items like assistive technology and equipment for mobility, communication and recreational inclusion such as wheelchairs or modifications to your car. It can also be used for home modifications such as the installation of a handrail in a bathroom, or for participants who require it, funding to access Specialist Disability Accommodation. Funds within the Capital Supports Budget can only be used for the specific purpose in the participant’s plan and cannot be used to pay for anything else. Where you see ‘quote required’ in your plan, additional information such as quotes or specialist reports will be needed before funding can be made available for a certain item. You may also have ‘stated supports’ or ‘in-kind’ supports listed in your plans. Any services listed as ‘stated supports’ are not flexible. This means funding has been allocated for a specific service and you can't use this funding or swap ‘stated supports’ for any other service or support. If there are supports in your plan that are listed as ‘in-kind’ it means the service has already been paid for by the state, territory or federal government. This means you cannot choose a provider for that service. You must use the prepaid provider as they have already received payment and will provide all services that are booked. Your NDIS supports need to demonstrate they are helping you to achieve your goals listed in your NDIS plan. Your support budget is there to ensure you achieve outcomes which are directly linked to community and/or workplace participation and living a more independent life. For more information visit www.ndis.gov.au or phone 1800 800 110.