Please note: The following information is accurate as of March 2024, however changes to NDIS occur frequently. For the most up to date information please visit National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to individuals with disabilities or developmental concerns to promote independence, participation and community access. Its goal is to help them access services that promote community access and independence.
There have been some recent changes to the structure of NDIS, particularly for children aged 0-9 years. This blog is to provide an updated overview of how the NDIS and Early Childhood Approach work.
What are the changes?
Previously, the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) or Early Childhood Approach (ECA) supported children 6 and under. For children over this age, they were supported by NDIS, which supports people until they turn 65.
Recent changes have meant that the ECEI/ECA now covers children up to 9 years. However, eligibility criteria have not changed, therefore once a child is over 6 their eligibility will be reviewed i.e., they will require a diagnosis to continue receiving NDIS support. For children over 9 years, they will be supported by the NDIS.
Applying to the NDIS
- Check your child’s eligibility.Under 6 years: If a child is less than 6 years old and presents with developmental concerns, developmental delay, or a condition that impacts the development of their skills, the child is very likely to be eligible to be an NDIS participant and receive funding to support the development of their skills.
Over 6 years: People from 7 years old to 65 years old can be eligible to receive NDIS funding if they meet some specific criteria. Apart from the age group, the other criteria are:
- The person must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a protected special category visa, and live in Australia.
- Meet the disability requirement. In other words, a person will only meet this criterion if diagnosed with one or more diagnosis described in the list provided by the NDIS.
- Intervention will reduce the need for future support, and/or will help the family to build the person’s skills.
Conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements: List A: Conditions that are likely to meet the disability requirements | NDIS
- Contact the local area coordinator
The next step is to find out who is the local NDIS partner in your area.
Finding the partner in your area: Offices and contacts in your area | NDIS
The local NDIS partner will support with the application process and the formulation of the NDIS goals and plan.
Helpful tips:
- You can apply for the NDIS through verbal access request OR fill out the Access request form and send it to the NDIS.
- Contact your local area coordinator (LAC) to help you to create a plan and apply for the NDIS.
- You can also get support from a plan manager that could you guide and support you through this process, and also after this process. The plan manager can support your financial and plan management skills by connecting you to services and helping you with budgeting.
Search for LAC in your area: Offices and contacts in your area | NDIS
Plan management guide: Plan management | NDIS
Understanding your funding:
The NDIS will fund reasonable and necessary supports for a person with a disability to participate more actively in their life.
The funding can be divided into three categories:
- Core Funding: This is to support activities with daily living. This could be with actual assistance in daily life, consumables (daily costs associated with the disability e.g. continence pads), low-cost assistive technology (under $1,500 per item), assistance with community participation, and/or transport.
- Capacity Building: This is to help build independence skills, and can be used for support coordination, living arrangements, building skills for community participation, improve relationships, and others (this is the funding used for services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology).
- Capital: This is to help with an investment, such as assistive technologies or specialist disability accommodation.
Your budget and the duration of your plan will be decided after an assessment within the NDIS. Some plans will last 12 months, while others could last up to 36 months. In addition, your plan could be rolled over if you agree to it.
For more information about the NDIS, please check the NDIS website or contact your ECEI or LAC to help you with your concerns.