What is the NDIS?

 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme was developed to help Australians under the age of 65, living with permanent significant disability, receive the support needed to improve everyday life. 

 

The NDIS aims to help by providing greater access to Allied Health support services, and empowering individuals living with significant disability.

 

While the NDIS aims to improve the lives of Australian’s living with disability, the scheme, like most government initiatives, can be complicated and as a result understanding which services are covered and which are not can be difficult.   

 

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What is Covered Under the NDIS?

 

In a nutshell…

 

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides support useful to the individuals specific disability.”

 

Based on this idea, the NDIS aims to support:

 

• Improved functional independence: via physiotherapy, exercise physiology, etc.

• Improved social and economic independence: via occupational opportunities and community activities.

• Improved living conditions: via walking aids, communication aids, motor vehicle modifications and modifications to the home. 

 

The individual: i.e. their disability and situation, are assessed to effectively determine what is ‘reasonable and necessary’ and the level of support subsequently covered based on this information. 

 

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What Isn’t Covered Under the NDIS?

 

Based on the idea of ‘providing support to the individuals specific disability’, the NDIS does not pay for services or support outside of this axiom. 

 

This means, the NDIS will not cover everyday necessities such as groceries, electricity or luxuries such as magazines or cinema tickets. 

 

Any services already covered by other areas of government are not supported under the NDIS. This includes X-rays, hospital stays, GP appointments, medications, dental costs and other services that would otherwise be covered by Medicare.  

 

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Who is Eligible for the NDIS?

 

As mentioned earlier, the NDIS is available to Australians under the age of 65 living with a permanent significant disability. 

 

As a Queensland resident, to qualify for support you must meet one of the following disability or early intervention requirements…

 

Disability Requirement:

• You have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) that stops you from performing everyday activities independently.

• You have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent (lifelong) that hinders your capacity for social and/or occupational participation.

 

Early Intervention Requirements:

• You live with an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent, where evidence shows receiving support now would benefit you for your future.

• You are a child under the age of 6 with significant developmental delay in one or more areas of self-care for future independence, language and communication, cognitive and/or motor development.