What is the NDIS? A Complete Guide
If you're asking what is the NDIS, in short: it's Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme, connecting people with disability to services in their community, including doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, and providing funding to help eligible participants live more independently and work towards their goals.
On this page
What It Actually Does
The scheme provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
Beyond funding, it also plays a connecting role: linking people with disability to services already available in their community, doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is available through state and territory governments.
Who Runs It
It's run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), an independent statutory agency. It's a useful distinction to keep straight: the scheme itself is the way funding is provided to eligible people with disability, while the NDIA is the organisation and the people who actually run it.
By the Numbers
The scale of the scheme gives a sense of how established and widely used it is:
Australians with disability currently supported by the NDIS
Children with developmental delay receiving early intervention support
How NDIS Funding Works
The money in a participant's plan is simply called funding. The amount provided depends on the evidence given during the application process, the specific supports needed, and individual circumstances. Funding in a plan is split into different support budgets, which help participants work towards different goals, not every participant will have funding in every budget, since needs vary from person to person.
Want the full breakdown? Our dedicated guide on funding categories explains Core Supports, Capacity Building, and Capital Supports in plain English. (Guide coming soon, this section will link directly once published.)
What Supports Can Be Funded
Services, items and equipment that can be funded are officially called "supports." These exist to help participants have the same opportunities in life as people without disability, and to help them work towards their individual goals.
Funding can only be used for supports that are related to a participant's disability and are in line with their approved plan, not for general living costs or unrelated purchases.
Am I Eligible?
Not everyone with disability in Australia automatically qualifies. Eligibility generally depends on meeting age, residency, and disability requirements, and evidence from a doctor, specialist, or treating professional is typically required.
Not sure if you qualify? Our dedicated Eligibility Criteria guide breaks this down in detail. (Guide coming soon, this section will link directly once published.) In the meantime, our team is always happy to talk through your situation directly, get in touch.
Continue Learning
This page is the starting point of our full "Understanding the NDIS" series. More guides in this series:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NDIS stand for?
It stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australia's scheme for providing funding and support to eligible people with disability.
Who runs the NDIS?
It's run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), an independent statutory agency responsible for implementing and managing the scheme.
Is the NDIS free?
It isn't a "free service" in the sense of being uncosted, it's a funded scheme. Eligible participants receive funding in their plan to pay for approved supports, so they don't pay out of pocket for what's included in their plan.
How many people are on the NDIS?
The scheme currently supports over 500,000 Australians with disability, including approximately 80,000 children receiving early intervention support for developmental delay.
What's the difference between the NDIS and the NDIA?
One is the scheme itself, the funding and support system for people with disability. The other, the NDIA, is the government agency that runs and administers it.
What can NDIS funding be used for?
Funding can be used for approved "supports," services, items and equipment related to a participant's disability and in line with their approved plan. It cannot be used for general living costs or unrelated purchases.
Am I eligible for the NDIS?
Eligibility depends on meeting age, residency, and disability requirements, generally assessed with supporting evidence from a doctor or specialist. Our full Eligibility Criteria guide covers this in detail, or you can get in touch to talk it through.
How do I apply for the NDIS?
Applying involves submitting an Access Request Form along with supporting evidence of your disability. Our dedicated How to Apply guide walks through the full process step by step.