Eligibility
To access the NDIS you generally need to be under 65 at first application, live in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident, and have a permanent disability that significantly affects daily life.
Plain-English guide
What is the NDIS?
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme can feel complex and overwhelming, especially at the start. This plain-English guide breaks down what the NDIS is, who it is for, how to apply, and how to get supports going.
If you would like a hand along the way, we are here to help across the Northern Territory and South Australia.
General information, not advice
Everyone's situation is different, so this page explains the basics rather than giving advice about your own circumstances. For the most current details, visit the official NDIS website at ndis.gov.au, or contact us for a friendly chat.
The basics
What the NDIS actually is
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is Australia's way of funding support for people with a permanent and significant disability. Rather than funding a service directly, the NDIS funds you: it gives you an individual plan with a budget tied to your goals, and you choose how and with whom you use it.
That means more choice and control over your life. You decide which providers you work with, what supports matter most, and how your days are shaped, with your plan there to make it possible.
Understanding the NDIS
The key things to know
Your plan
Once you are in, you get an individual plan built around your goals, with funding across Core, Capacity Building and Capital supports.
Choice and control
You choose your providers and how you use your funding, so the supports fit your life, not the other way round.
Getting in
How to apply for the NDIS
Applying is called making an Access Request. Here is a simple overview of the steps.
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Contact the NDIA
Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to start an Access Request, or ask someone to help you make the call.
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Gather your evidence
Pull together proof of identity and residency, and information from your treating professionals about your disability and its impact.
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Submit your request
Provide the details about how your disability affects your everyday life. The NDIA uses this to decide access.
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Plan and start
If eligible, you develop your first plan around your goals, then choose providers like us to get supports going.
Want more detail on the budgets in your plan? Read our guide on how NDIS funding works.
Common questions
NDIS questions, answered simply
A few of the things people ask most when they first come across the NDIS.
Need a hand getting started?
Reach out for a warm, no-pressure chat and we will point you in the right direction.
Get in touchThe National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national program that funds supports and services for eligible Australians with a permanent and significant disability. Instead of a one-size-fits-all service, you get an individual plan with funding tied to your own goals, so you can choose the supports that help you live the life you want.
Eligibility depends on a few things, including your age, your residency, and the nature and impact of your disability. Generally you need to be under 65 when you first apply, live in Australia as a citizen or permanent resident, and have a permanent disability that significantly affects your everyday life. If you are not sure, we can help point you in the right direction.
You make an Access Request by contacting the NDIA on 1800 800 110. You will usually need proof of identity and residency, and detailed information about your disability and how it affects your daily life, often with supporting evidence from a treating health professional. Our Resources page and our team can help you get organised.
Funding is grouped into Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports and Capital Supports. Between them, plans can fund things like personal care, therapy, assistive technology, home modifications, community participation and support to build skills. What is in your plan depends on your goals and assessed needs.
Yes. You can request a plan review if your circumstances change, and plans are reviewed regularly anyway. If your needs shift, it is worth talking to your planner or support coordinator about updating your plan so it keeps working for you.
This guide is general information, not advice, and NDIS rules can change. For the latest details, visit ndis.gov.au or talk to us and we will point you in the right direction.
New to the NDIS? We can help
Tell us where you are up to, and we will help you understand your options and your next steps, with no pressure at all.