Who is the NDIS for?

Ask anyone in Australia about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and you’ll almost universally find these things in common:

1. They know it has something to do with funding for people living with disability
2. They know it’s a big pot of money
3. They have no idea how it works.

Even many of us who live and work within the NDIS ecosystem find much of it bemusing.  Truth be told the NDIS is doing a lot of good, but it is still very new (compared with Medicare which has existed for over 35 years) and the challenges it is taking on, are very complex.

The general idea of the NDIS is that people living with disability (aged between 7 and 65) have a safety net of funding to provide the supports they need to live as independently as they can and start to achieve their goals. It is this idea of supporting people to achieve their goals that empowers participants in the scheme to regain lost independence and dignity.

Whilst this basis for a government funded system is wonderful and unique, there are several complexities about the NDIS that just are not made clear from the outset.

First lets cover the basics, the NDIS is for : 

• Australian citizens and permanent visa holders, plus a few special visa categories
• People between the age of 7 and 65 (younger and older Australians are eligible for other funding schemes)
• People who usually need support from someone, or use specialist equipment due to a significant and permanent disability
• People who, with additional supports, may be able to become more independent in the future.

 I can honestly say I have seen some incredible outcomes and lives turned around.