The NDIS, in plain English.

• You are under 65 when you apply.
• You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected SCV holder.
• Your disability is permanent and significantly affects your daily life.
• Early intervention pathways exist for children and some conditions.

The NDIA looks at whether your disability is likely to be lifelong, and how it affects mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, self-care or self-management. Not sure where you stand? Our checker walks you through it question by question.

• Apply with an Access Request form plus evidence from your treating professionals.
• Meet your planner and talk about goals, not just diagnoses.
• Your plan is approved with funding across up to three budgets.
• Use providers you choose, then review and adjust each plan cycle.

Most people wait a few weeks to a few months between applying and their first plan. The strongest predictor of a good plan is preparation: solid evidence, and clear examples of what a good week looks like versus a hard one.

• Core Supports: everyday assistance, and the most flexible budget.
• Capacity Building: skills, therapies, coordination and employment support.
• Capital: assistive technology, equipment and home modifications.

Core funding can usually move between its own support categories; Capacity Building cannot. Unspent funds do not roll over, and consistently unspent budgets can shrink your next plan, so knowing what sits where genuinely pays.

• Self-managed: any provider, you do the admin.
• Plan-managed: any provider, a plan manager does the admin.
• NDIA-managed: registered providers only, zero admin.

You can mix approaches across different parts of your plan, and change how your plan is managed at any plan review. Plan management is funded on top of your plan, so choosing it never eats into your supports.

• Can I change providers? Yes, any time. Service agreements set notice periods, usually two to four weeks.
• Does the NDIS pay everyday costs? No. It funds disability-related supports, not rent or groceries.
• Can family members be paid carers? Generally no, with narrow exceptions the NDIA must approve.

If it affects how you live, it is worth asking. Our FAQ page collects the questions participants, families and coordinators ask us most, answered by people who work inside the scheme every day.

• Tell us what you need: by phone, form, or referral.
• We check fit and funding within one business day.
• Meet and greet before any service starts.
• Supports begin, and we review together as you go.

Referrals can come from you, your family, a GP, a hospital, or a support coordinator. There is no cost and no obligation in talking it through with our intake team.