FACTS

The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a government-funded program that provides Australians with disabilities with access to supports and services, enabling them to live more independently and participate more fully in their communities. The scheme focuses on giving individuals with disabilities more control over their funding and the choices they make about their supports.

Key Facts:

• What it is:

  The NDIS provides funding for a range of supports and services designed to help people with disabilities live more independently and participate in their communities.

• Who is eligible:

  People with permanent and significant disabilities, under the age of 65, who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or hold a protected special category visa are eligible.

• Funding:

  The NDIS provides funding directly to the individual, allowing them to choose the services they need and how they are delivered.

• Support types:

  Supports funded by the NDIS can include assistance with daily living activities, mobility aids and equipment, therapies, employment support, and more.

• Control and choice:

  The NDIS gives individuals with disabilities greater control over their lives by allowing them to choose their own supports and how their funding is spent.

• Individualized plans:

  Each NDIS participant has an individual plan that outlines their needs and goals, and how their funding will be used to achieve them.

• National rollout:

  The NDIS is a nationally funded scheme, and it is being progressively rolled out across Australia.

• Funding and reform:

  Legislation was passed in 2024 to reform the NDIS to better manage costs and improve the efficacy of supports provided.

• Not a welfare system:

  The NDIS is an insurance scheme, not a welfare system, with a focus on lifetime investment in the life outcomes of Australians with disabilities.