NDIS Background
Start your journey
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched by the Australian Federal Government in 2013. The NDIS is similar to Medicare in that the costs for disability care are shared amongst the community. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is responsible for rolling the system out across Australia and is forecast to support over 460,000 people by 2020 at an approximate cost of $22 billion.
For eligible people, the NDIS provides more consistent and equitable access to services. The core principle of the NDIA is that participants should be supported to exercise choice and control when making decisions. The participant is at the centre of the process and chooses reasonable and necessary supports to help reach and maintain their goals. Goals may include greater independence, community involvement, employment and improved well-being. The goals are participant driven and you, the participant, are in control!
Determine eligibility. Are you…?
An Australian Resident currently under 65 and are diagnosed with a disability that is likely to be permanent? More information can be found here:https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/accessNDIS.html
Eligibility Assessments
Contact NDIS to access your eligibility. Phone 1800 800 110 or visit https://www.ndis.gov.au/people-disability.html. Once eligibility has been ascertained, you are ready to begin steps for preparing your plan.
Meeting the Planners
NDIA have staff called Local Area Coordinators (LAC’s) who conduct the planning assessment. You, your advocate and LAC create an initial plan together, identifying current and future goals. Plans include provisions for supports that are reasonable and necessary.
Managing the Plan
Once your individual plan has been completed and agreed to by all parties, you choose how the plan is managed in the future. The NDIS offer three options:
NDIA-Managed
You can choose to have NDIA manage your plan. You must choose NDIA registered providers to provide all of your support services. Your choice and control is limited.
Self-Managed
You can be involved as much as you choose. We can provide you with the tools and training to increase your involvement towards the next plan.You can self-manage your NDIS Plan. This takes time which may stop you enjoying the things you really want to do.
Plan-Managed
You can choose a Plan Manager like Boomer Planning who can work with you to determine the best approach to maximising the benefits of your plan. Plan Management provides you with choice and control. You have choice over the services you purchase, who provides them, and how much you pay for them. You have control over which and when services are delivered. Plan Management gives you the freedom to make all the choices without the hassle of managing the paperwork. This service is of no cost to you.