The NDIS, or National Disability Insurance Scheme, is a scheme for people living with disability to get support and funding. It is run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
You can use the NDIS to get what you or your family member needs to achieve your goals. This might include:
The NDIS calls these things:
You can find more information about reasonable and necessary supports here.
The NDIS is for people aged 0-65 who live with permanent or significant disability. This means the person will probably have the disability their whole life, and it affects how they do everyday activities like making meals, having a shower, or going to work or school.
The NDIS website has all the information you will need to access the Scheme.
If you or your family member is eligible to be an NDIS participant, you will need to work with an NDIS planner to create your first NDIS plan. The plan will help you get the supports you need.
The plan might include:
You or your family member will be eligible for the NDIS if the access requirements are met. These include:
Age requirements (South Australia)
Residency requirements
Disability requirements
Early intervention requirements
The NDIS talks about early intervention as the Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach and has more information about it on its website.
The NDIS website includes comprehensive information about planning your NDIS future, and preparing for your planning meeting.
It is important to advise the NDIS of any equipment needs for yourself or your family member that you are aware of during your planning meeting, including any equipment prescriptions that may be in progress. Equipment needs should be discussed as part of your planning meeting, Including:
If you are waiting on an item of government funded equipment, you should tell your planner about these equipment needs. This is important even if the funding for the equipment item had been approved by the state government system before your transition to the NDIS.
If you or your family member needs new equipment or changes to current equipment, talk to your planner about including hours for assessment and recommendation. You will need hours to cover appointments and also for the assessor to organise trials, quotes and submitting a funding request to the NDIA.
If you or your family member has existing equipment, ask your NDIA planner to include funding for any repairs or maintenance for this equipment into the Assistive Technology budget of your plan. This funding will be important if you need a repair or service on any equipment.
It is important to advise the NDIS of any Orthotics needs and time for consultations with the Orthotist. Novita’s Orthotists can provide a quote to provide to the NDIS. To arrange for a quote for Orthotic Services for the year ahead, you can call us on 1300 668 482 or email [email protected]
The NDIS may be able to fund home modifications for eligible participants. For major and minor home modifications, Novita has therapists who are qualified and skilled in Home Modifications and working with the NDIS. For further information you can call us on 1300 668 482 or email [email protected] and refer to the NDIS website for information about NDIA funded Home Modifications.
The NDIS will assess your needs and determine an allocation of money to pay for the services and supports required. Service providers such as Novita will not be part of this assessment and money allocation process, but can support you with information and recommendations to assist with this assessment.