As the National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS) rolls out across Australia it is important to understand what this can mean for you and your family. If you or a family member is living with a disability and would like to bring a positive change to your daily routine, the NDIS customises care plans around you and your life goals to ensure your personal care needs are met in the best possible way.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS aims to provide quality care and personalised support to those living with permanent disability. By working closely with the community the NDIS provides relevant support, training programs and other professional assistance to all individuals living with disabilities to enable them to cope with their day-to-day demands allowing them to learn skills to become a valued member of the community.
Who can access the NDIS?
To qualify for NDIS funding and personlaised care plans the participant must adhere to the following requirements:
- The participant must be living with a permanent impairment or disability.
- The participant must meet the required age of less than 65 years old from the first time they access the scheme.
- The participant must show proofs bearing their Australian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship with a Protected Special Category Visa.
- The participant’s home address must be situated in an area where the NDIS has been launched.
How do I become an NDIS Participant?
Anyone who is eligible to receive support from the NDIS is considered a participant. Once you have established that you are eligible to receive support from the NDIS you can work towards creating your first plan. This plan will run over 12 months and is likely to include:
- Informal supports – support you will receive from family and friends
- Community supports – support you will receive from local groups in the community
- Mainstream supports – support you will receive from doctors and teachers
- Funded supports – support funded by the NDIS
NDIS support workers will help you create this plan, with your needs and goals as the focus. Once created and approved the NDIS will help you get started.