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How Does NDIS Work
How Does NDIS Work – 6 Steps
STEP 1:
See if you are eligible
The very first step in understanding how the NDIS works, is understanding who can access the NDIS. We outline the criteria on our eligibility page.
STEP 2: Apply for the NDIS
If you meet the criteria for accessing the NDIS, the next step is applying to become a participant. To do so, simply call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an ‘Access Request”. Alternatively you can download the Access Request Form and submit it via email at NAT@ndis.gov.au. You may also be required to provide information about your disability such as what it is, how long it will last and how it impacts your day to day life. You can view the types of evidence you might need to provide on the NDIS website.STEP 3: Assess decision
After submitting your access request and supporting evidence, your application will be reviewed by the NDIA where they will decide if you meet the NDIS eligibility. If you are eligible for the NDIS, you will receive a letter to notify you and be asked to attend a planning meeting.
STEP 4: Initial planning meeting
In the planning meeting you will discuss your goals for your NDIS journey, and the type of support and funding you will need to achieve those goals. This will be outlined in your NDIS plan.
STEP 5: Creating your plan
Your NDIS plan is a written agreement about your immediate support needs and the types of NDIS services and supports you will receive funding for. Before going into your planning meeting to create your NDIS plan, it’s important to be prepared so you get the most out of your plan. Be sure to consider the following:
What are your goals?
Your plan will outline the short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve through the NDIS. Be specific with these goals. In your meeting, you can discuss the type of support you need in order to reach these goals, as well as your immediate and daily support needs.
How will you manage your funds?
In your planning meeting, it’s important to also think about how you want to manage your NDIS funding. There are three options:- Self-managed
- Plan-managed
- Agency-managed
STEP 6: Use your plan
Once you have an approved NDIS plan in place, you can start putting it into action. It is up to you to decide which services and supports you believe you need to help you achieve your goals, who will provide them and how they are delivered.
Depending on your plan, you can get help from your Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or Support Coordinator to get started, find providers and connect you with your funded supports.
When using your plan, you must also understand the different NDIS funding categories, otherwise known as Support Budgets. These are:
- NDIS Core Supports budget
- NDIS Capacity Building budget
- Capital Supports budget
Your budget in each of these categories will depend on your goals, the type of support you require to achieve them and your NDIS package. Participants will have certain amounts of funding allocated to each funding category that you can use to pay for the necessary and reasonable supports you need.
Reviewing your plan and goals
Plan reviews are an opportunity for you to check in with your goal progress and whether your supports are working for you. The outcome of a plan review will vary from person to person, depending on how they are tracking with their current plan. Your plan review may result in only minor changes or a completely new plan.
The first plan review usually falls around 12 months after starting your first NDIS plan. After that you can arrange the following plan reviews up to 2 years apart. You can speak to your EIEC or LAC to discuss the right plan review approach for you.
Want to know more about how the NDIS works?
The question of ‘how does NDIS work’ has no simple answer. There’s a lot to discuss with this topic, which is why we understand how overwhelming it can be. That’s why we’re always here if you want to know more. Any NDIS related question you have is a question we can answer.
