NDIS Frequently Asked Questions

The National Disability Insurance Scheme, Australia's funding scheme for eligible people with disability.

It connects participants to funded supports and community services to help them live more independently and work towards their goals. See our full guide to what the NDIS is.

Anyone aged 0 to 64 who meets residency requirements and either the disability or early intervention requirements.

Age, residency, and disability or early intervention criteria all need to be met. Read our full eligibility criteria breakdown.

There's no fixed list, eligibility is based on how a permanent impairment affects daily life, not the diagnosis itself.

Intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, and psychosocial impairments are all considered. See what disabilities qualify.

Through a 5-step process: connect with a partner, gather evidence, complete the application, submit it, then wait for a decision.

A decision is typically provided within 21 days of full evidence being submitted. Our full application guide walks through each step.

No, income and assets have no effect on NDIS eligibility or funding.

This is genuinely different from Centrelink payments like the Disability Support Pension, which are means tested. NDIS funding is based purely on disability-related need.

Yes, working doesn't affect NDIS eligibility at all.

Since the scheme isn't means tested, employment status and income genuinely don't factor into the eligibility decision.

Core Supports, Capacity Building, Capital Supports, and Recurring Supports.

Core Supports is generally the most flexible. See our full funding categories guide.

Any support that's reasonable and necessary, related to disability, effective, and not better provided elsewhere.

General living costs like rent and groceries generally aren't covered. Read what the NDIS actually covers.

Yes, respite is typically funded under Short Term Accommodation (STA), for stays of up to 14 days at a time.

STA is generally included in a plan where genuinely needed, and covers both residential and in-home respite models, depending on individual circumstances.

Yes, for participants who can't use public transport independently due to their disability.

NDIS transport funding effectively replaces the old Centrelink Mobility Allowance for participants, and is assessed individually based on genuine need.

Yes, they're completely separate schemes, and receiving one doesn't cancel out the other.

The NDIS funds disability-related supports, while the DSP is a Centrelink payment covering everyday living costs. Many people genuinely receive both simultaneously.

Generally no, Centrelink doesn't count NDIS funding as income.

Receiving an NDIS plan typically doesn't reduce a DSP payment, since the two systems assess eligibility completely differently, one means tested, one not.

A conversation with an NDIA planner about your goals, needs, and how your plan comes together.

New information shared can genuinely shift the outcome on the spot. See our full planning meeting guide.

Every plan has 2 main parts: your goals and aspirations, and your statement of participant supports.

Understanding flexible versus stated funding matters too. Read how to read your plan in full.

Self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed, and these can be mixed within one plan.

Each option offers a different level of flexibility and admin responsibility. Compare them in our plan management guide.

Yes, if you're self-managed or plan-managed. NDIA-managed funding requires registered providers only.

This is one of the genuine practical differences between the 3 management types, worth factoring in when choosing.

Through either a smaller plan variation, or a full plan reassessment, depending on how significant the change is.

See our full plan reviews guide for the difference between the two.

Yes, you don't have to wait for your scheduled reassessment date if circumstances genuinely change.

A change can be requested at any time, though overspending a budget alone generally isn't accepted as a valid reason on its own.

Funding for support workers to help with daily living, generally for people needing support around the clock.

SIL funds the support itself, not housing. See our full SIL guide.

Help connecting to and managing your supports, across 3 levels depending on complexity.

Read our support coordination guide for the full breakdown of each level.

Line up a new provider first, then formally end things with the old one, this avoids any gap in support.

Switching is entirely your choice, at any time. See our full switching guide.

An introductory meeting, meeting your support worker, and a genuine check-in near the end of the week.

A slower-paced first visit is completely normal, not a sign anything's wrong.

Ask how they match support workers, what happens if one's unavailable, and whether they're registered.

A confident, transparent provider should welcome these questions, not deflect them.

Reliability, genuine listening, respect, and real progress towards your goals.

Personality fit matters too, support that feels purely transactional is worth reconsidering.

The rules every paid provider must follow, covering respect, safety, and honesty, regardless of registration status.

Read your rights in full in our Code of Conduct guide.

A structured review process exists, starting with an internal review, then an external review if needed.

See our full appeals guide for every step.

Through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, complaints can even be made anonymously.

Anyone can raise a concern, a participant, family member, friend, or support worker who's noticed something wrong.

Yes, there's no limit on how many times you can apply.

Reapplying is a genuine option if circumstances change or stronger evidence becomes available later.

The independent body that handles external reviews of NDIS decisions.

It replaced the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on 14 October 2024, existing cases carried over automatically.

Not always, it depends on how your plan is managed.

NDIA-managed funding requires registered providers only, while self-managed and plan-managed funding can use unregistered providers too.