Correct as at September 2018

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About the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a new, national approach to providing support to people with disability and their families and carers. It started in 2013 and is currently rolling out in stages across the country.

By 2019 it will have completely replaced the existing disability support system, which in New South Wales (NSW) was largely funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), part of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS).

The NDIS provides funding packages to 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.

• Read more about the NDIS on the official national NDIS website.
• Read more about how the NDIS will impact NSW on the NSW Government’s website.
• Read NDIS resources developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers.
• Read about the NDIS in languages other than English.

What about carers?

Carers cannot get an NDIS plan or funding package in their own right. However, some supports for carers can be funded in a plan if they directly relate to the person with disability. Carers are also likely to benefit from the supports the person they care for receives.

• Download our NDIS Carer Checklist to help prepare for the planning or plan review meeting for the person you care for.
• Read about carers’ experiences of the NDIS in the official 2018 evaluation report by the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University.

What about 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, view the following resources:

• Read this fact sheet about psychosocial disability and recovery on the official NDIS website.
• Read some tips for communicating about psychosocial disability when accessing the NDIS on the official NDIS website.
• Read the Guide for Mental Health Carers on the NDIS developed by Mental Health Australia.

What about young children?

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.

For more information on the Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach, view the following resources:

• Read about accessing supports for your child on the official NDIS website.
• Read or watch a video about the NDIS approach to early intervention on the official NDIS website.
• Visit the online NDIS help guide on the Raising Children Network website.

What if I am unhappy with my experience of the NDIS?

If you are unhappy with the NDIS, be sure to tell someone. You can:

• Raise it with your Local Area Coordiantor (LAC) directly.
• Find out about the internal NDIS process for making a complaint on the official NDIS website.
• Contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
• Look up the contact details for your local Federal Member of Parliament (MP) and write to them, asking to set up a meeting to talk about your situation.
• Let the Carers NSW Policy Team know so we can use the information to provide feedback to the NSW and Australian governments. You can also contact us on (02) 9280 4744 or at policy@carersnsw.org.au.