National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funded support to Australians who have significant and permanent disability under the age of 65 years. This page is designed to help people who care for a family member or friend with disability to better understand and navigate the NDIS.
About the NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to people with significant and permanent disability and their families and carers. The Scheme started in 2013 and replaced the existing disability support system in New South Wales (NSW).
The NDIS provides funded packages of support to eligible 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.
You can phone the NDIS on 1800 800 110 from Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm to find out more.
How can the NDIS support carers?
Carers cannot get an NDIS plan or funding package in their own right unless they have a disability and are eligible. However, carers do benefit from many of the supports provided to the people they care for. Carers should also have the opportunity to contribute to the planning of supports where appropriate.
Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers
NDIS resources developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers include:
- Information about accessing the NDIS by Disability Loop
- Workshops and individual sessions to support people to access the NDIS by First Peoples Disability Network
Information for culturally and linguistically diverse carers
Translated NDIS resources developed specifically for culturally and linguistically diverse carers include:
- Translated pages and resources on the NDIS website
- Videos and fact sheets by AMPARO advocacy
Information for carers of children with disability
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.
You can find more information about the process on the NDIS website, and the Raising Children Network provides a NDIS help guide.
Information for carers of 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, you can visit the official NDIS website. Mental Health Australia has also developed a guide for mental health carers.