National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

This page was last updated on 28 April 2017.

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It takes time and effort to understand the NDIS. Many carers of people with disability in NSW are finding it hard to keep up.

The Carers NSW NDIS Update aims to make it easier for carers to stay on top of NDIS news, resources and events.

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About the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new, national approach to providing support to people with disability and their families and carers. It started in 2013 and is currently rolling out in stages across the country.

By 2019 it will have completely replaced the existing disability support system, which in New South Wales (NSW) was largely funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), part of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS).

• Read more about the NDIS on the official NDIS website.
• Read more about how the NDIS will impact NSW on the NSW Government's website.
• Watch this video about the NDIS rollout from the NSW Government's website

How does it work?

The NDIS provides funding packages to people with disability based on their individual needs and goals. It also supports people with disability to develop their skills and confidence so they can be active members of their community and have more choice and control over the supports they receive. 

• View information, fact sheets and videos about what kinds of supports the NDIS will fund on the official NDIS website.
• View information, fact sheets and videos about developing your first NDIS plan on the official NDIS website.
• Watch the video below, which explains the NDIS and planning process.

When will it roll out in my area?

The NDIS is rolling out progressively across NSW. Find out more about when it will come to your area by:

• Entering your postcode on the NSW Government's website
• Watching this video on the NSW Government's website.

Read here about what to expect if your area is due to roll out from July 2017.

Will it affect the person I care for?

If the person you care for currently uses a service that is funded by ADHC, they will most likely transition over to the NDIS. If the person you care for receives other support, or no support at all, they will have to check if they are eligible.

• Read more about who is eligible on the official NDIS website.
• Read more about how ADHC clients will transition on the NSW Government's website.
• View information, fact sheets and videos about accessing the NDIS on the official NDIS website.

What about carers?

Carers cannot get an NDIS plan or funding package in their own right. However, some supports for carers can be funded in a plan if they directly relate to the person with disability. Carers are also likely to benefit from the supports the person they care for receives.

• For more information about what the NDIS means for carers, view the resources developed by Carers NSW especially to help carers understand the NDIS.

In November 2016, the National Institute of Labour Studies at Curtin University published an interim report of the official national evaluation of the NDIS. The report includes data from over 1,800 carers and shows that the NDIS has had many positive outcomes for carers, but has also created more paperwork and diminished carer support.

• Click here to read the full interim report on the Department of Social Services website.

What about people living with a mental illness?

Some people living with a mental illness experience psychosocial disability. A person with a psychosocial disability experiences impairments and participation restrictions related to a mental health condition. This can include a loss of ability to function, think clearly, experience full physical health, and manage the social and emotional aspects of their lives.

Some people with psychosocial disability will be eligible for the NDIS. For more information, view the following resources:

• Read this fact sheet about psychosocial disability and recovery on the official NDIS website.
• Read some tips for communicating about psychosocial disability when accessing the NDIS on the official NDIS website.
• Read the Guide for Mental Health Carers on the NDIS developed by Mental Health Australia.

What about young children?

Children under 7 years of age follow a slightly different pathway into the NDIS. Their first point of contact is an Early Childhood Partner organisation in the local community, who will link them up with early intervention support to suit their needs. Young children will only receive an NDIS funding package if they need ongoing support.

For more information on the Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach, view the following resources:

• Read about accessing supports for your child on the official NDIS website.
• Read or watch a video about the NDIS approach to early intervention on the official NDIS website.
• Visit the online NDIS help guide on the Raising Children Network website.

What if I am unhappy with my experience of the NDIS?

If you are unhappy with the NDIS, be sure to tell someone. You can:

• Raise it with your Local Area Coordiantor (LAC) directly.
• Find out about the internal NDIS process for making a complaint on the official NDIS website.
• Find out where to lodge your complaint by reading this flyer, developed by NSW Fair Trading, the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the NSW Ombudsman.
• Look up the contact details for your local Federal Member of Parliament (MP) and write to them, asking to set up a meeting to talk about your situation.
• Let the Carers NSW Policy Team know so we can use the information to provide feedback to the NSW and Australian governments. You can also contact us on (02) 9280 4744 or at policy@carersnsw.org.au.

Where can I find out more?

Click on the boxes below or the menu to the left to browse the other NDIS resources on this website, including fact sheets, checklists, workshops, videos and articles.

The following websites may also be of interest:

Carers Australia 

www.carersaustralia.com.au/ndis-and-carers

National Disability Insurance Agency

www.ndis.gov.au

NSW Government NDIS website

www.ndis.nsw.gov.au