What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme, explained the way we'd explain it across the kitchen table.
The scheme in one paragraph
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is how Australia funds support for people with permanent and significant disability. Instead of funding organisations, it funds people — you receive a plan with a budget, and you choose how and where that budget is spent. It's run by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Around 600,000 Australians have an NDIS plan. Plans are built around your goals — living more independently, getting out into the community, learning new skills — and they fund the supports that help you get there.
What the NDIS can fund
- Daily living support — help with personal care, routines and life at home.
- Community access — support to get out, connect and take part in your community.
- Transport — getting to appointments, work, study and social activities.
- Capacity building — supports that build skills and independence over time.
- Home and equipment — from household tasks to assistive technology.
The NDIS funds what's reasonable and necessary — supports related to your disability that help you pursue your goals, represent value for money, and aren't more appropriately funded elsewhere (like the health or education systems).
Am I eligible?
Broadly, you may be eligible if you're under 65 when you apply, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and you have a permanent disability that significantly affects your everyday life. Applications go through the NDIA — the official starting point is ndis.gov.au or 1800 800 110.
Where to next
Once you have a plan, the next question is how it's managed — that decides which providers you can use. Our guide to self-managed vs plan-managed vs NDIA-managed walks through it, or see how starting with Asina works.
