The NDIS is a program that offers assistance to individuals with physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities in Australia. In order to access NDIS support, meeting the eligibility criteria is a must.

To be eligible for NDIS, you must:

• Be under the age of 65
• Hold Australian citizenship, permanent residency or a Protected Special Category Visa (SCV)
• Have a disability that impedes your ability to perform daily activities and requires 'reasonable and necessary supports' as recognized by NDIS OR be a child under the age of six with a developmental delay that can be reduced with early intervention supports.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to support people with a disability. This includes service coordination, physical and occupational therapy, mobility aids and equipment, alternate accommodations so they can live as independently as possible, communication/speech services tailored to their needs, job coaching, and more. It also offers assistance regarding access to community programs like swimming classes or even outings that focus on having fun! NDIS also covers transportation costs for participating in activities out of one’s home where it is necessary for development or health maintenance purposes.

NDIS funding is given out as individualized packages based on each person’s assessments, plans, and requirements covering things like attendant care service costs, assistive equipment items, home or vehicle modifications, etc., depending on the need for such resources identified in an assessment process. This includes help from allied health professionals like those from Speech Pathology teams or Occupational Therapists.

The NDIS assesses your needs and assists you in planning an appropriate package of support. The NDIS looks at individual goals and considers all reasonable and necessary supports. It will review your information, including your age, level of impairment, and functional capacity; living situation; informal supports such as those for family members; your social supports (i.e. who helps out with daily tasks like cooking or cleaning); physical impairments (i.e. walking/moving); role impairment (i.e. being able to work full-time); any type of disability support group membership; income levels both before and after NDIS access begins; financial circumstances before accessing NDIS services; prior experience with funding applications for support services prior to receiving an NDIS assessment request letter.