About the NDIS
NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is a new way to provide support. It will pay for interpreting for medical appointments and in your workplace. It will also pay for things like early intervention for children, in-home help, learning Auslan, hearing equipment and community participation.
It will not pay for things that other services should provide. For example, Schools, Hospitals, Centrelink and Police will still need to pay for your interpreter.
What is the NDIA?
The National Disability Insurance Agency.  A non-government independent statutory body responsible for the NDIS.
How will the NDIS Help?
The NDIS will pay for support that is reasonable (fair) and necessary (needed)Â to reach your goals.
Reasonable and necessary support can be given in eight different areas:
- Daily living
- Home
- Health and Well-being
- Lifelong learning
- Work
- Social and Community Participation
- Relationships
- Choice and Control
This can include interpreting, translation or hearing equipment. If you need extra help with with things like having a shower and getting to and from places and managing your money, this can be added in your plan.
Click Learn More to find out:
- What does reasonable and necessary mean?
- What else will NDIS help with?
What won't the NDIS pay for?
The NDIS won’t pay for services that are available for all Australians, like Doctors and Teachers. It will not pay for bills like rent, electricity and phone. It will not pay for support that is NOT related to your disability.
For example, if you have to go to Hospital, that Hospital will need to organise an interpreter for you. The Education Department is still responsible for providing interpreters at school. Centrelink, the courts and Police will need to supply interpreters for you.
Access & Eligibility for the NDIS
The NDIA will assess each person’s situation one by one. Deaf Services Queensland does not decide how much support you get. NDIS decides how much support you get.
How do I know if I am eligble for NDIS?
To get support from NDIS you must:
- Be under 65 years of age
- Live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, or you have paperwork that lets you live in Australia permanently
- Have a life-long disability (Deaf) that impacts how you manage everyday life meaning you need help from people or special equipment.
- The NDIS will also need to have started in your area
How will I access the NDIS?
You will need to give information to NDIS, one way is filling in a form or over the phone. If you get support now your service may be able to give the NDIA your information. When NDIA gets your information NDIA will let you know if you can access NDIS or not access. Then NDIA will tell you what to do next.
My First Plan
Your first plan is the beginning of a life-long relationship with NDIS. When your needs and goals change your plan can change too. Your first plan lasts about 12 months, and then you will meet with NDIS Planner again to make a new plan.
Click Learn More to find out:
- How do I make a plan?
- What will be in my first plan?
- What are goals and how many can I have?
Starting my plan
The NDIS will help you start your plan once it has been approved.
Click Learn More to find out:
- What is a provider?
- Can I choose a provider?
- Can I have more than one provider?
