The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian Government program that provides funding and support to eligible people with disability. Its purpose is to help participants achieve greater independence, improve daily functioning, and work toward personal goals such as education, employment, and community participation. The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports that are directly related to a person’s disability.

To be eligible, a person must generally meet all of the following criteria:

• Age: Be under 65 years of age at the time of applying.
• Residency: Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
• Disability requirements:
  • Have a permanent and significant disability that substantially affects everyday activities
  • OR have a permanent condition that requires early intervention to reduce future impacts
• Impact on daily life: The disability affects functional capacity in areas such as mobility, communication, self-care, learning, or social interaction.

Yes. NDIS participants have the right to choose their providers.

Under the NDIS, you can choose who delivers your supports and how they are provided, giving you greater control and flexibility over your care.

Your choices depend on how your plan is managed:

• Self-managed: You can choose any provider, including non-NDIS registered providers, as long as the supports meet NDIS requirements.
• Plan-managed: You can choose from both NDIS-registered and non-registered providers, with payments handled by a plan manager.
• NDIA-managed: You must use NDIS-registered providers only.

What you can choose:

• Your support workers and therapists
• How and when supports are delivered
• Changing providers if your needs or preferences change

The NDIS is built around choice and control, meaning you are not locked into a provider and can change at any time, subject to service agreements.