The National Disability Insurance Scheme (also called the NDIS) is the new way of providing disability support. The NDIS will provide all Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports they need to enjoy an ordinary life.

Mainstream service systems including the Health and Mental Health systems, have significant obligations in relation to working with the NDIS, these are set out in the Council Of Australian Government (COAG) Agreement and NSW Government’s subsequent Operational Guidance for NSW Mainstream Services on the Interface with the National Disability Insurance Scheme  version 1 document.

CESPHN is facilitating a continuum of education sessions to assist Allied Health Professionals and GPs to understand these obligations and the impact they will have on their practices and interaction with patients, for more information see the CESPHN CPD Calendar.

To become an NDIS participant a person must:

• Have a permanent disability that significantly affects their ability to take part in everyday activities;
• Be aged less than 65 when they first enter the NDIS;
• Be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent visa or a Protected Special Category visa; and
• Live in a part Australia where the NDIS is available

Additional information and resources:

• NDIS Website - NDIS Access Checklist
• NDIS Website - Accessing the NDIS

If your patient is aged 6 years or younger, the NDIS utilises an Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach. This means you can refer the child directly to an NDIS ECEI Provider in their area, they do NOT require an Access Request Form to be completed. A list of NDIS ECEI Providers in NSW can be found here.

Additional Information and Resources:

• NDIS Factsheet: Early Childhood Early Intervention
• NDIS Website: What is the ECEI Approach
• NSW Government: National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)

If your patient is aged between 7 and 65 years and wishes to join the NDIS, they will need to contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (the NDIS is responsible for running the Scheme) and request an Access Request Form. This can be done by:

• Phoning the NDIA on 1800 800 110
• Completing an online Contact Form
• Visiting an NDIA Office (NSW list here)

If your patient is aged over 65, they will not be eligible to apply for the NDIS (see eligibility criteria listed above). If they were already receiving government funded disability supports services prior to the NDIS’ roll-out in their area, they will not be disadvantaged. They will continue to receive supports that achieve similar outcomes to those they currently receive under the Continuity of Supports (CoS) program.

Additional Information and Resources:

• The NDIS for people aged 65 and over - NSW Government Website
• The NDIS for people aged 65 and over - NSW Government Factsheet
• Continuity of support - NDIS Website
• My Aged Care - Information about aged care services and referrals

Allied health practitioners play a number of very important roles in the NDIS.

Access: Allied health practitioners can support their patients to gain access to the NDIS (providing they meet the eligibility requirements) by providing supporting documentation that illustrates the functional impact of that person’s disability. This can be provided by way of a professional report, or by completion of an NDIS Access Request Supplementary Evidence form (your patient can obtain this form from the NDIS and request your assistance to complete it if required).

Plan Development & Review: Allied health practitioners can support the NDIS to develop appropriate funding Plans for participants by providing up to date reports to be considered during the initial Planning, or Plan Review, process. They can also provide recommendations for supports, aids and equipment (along with quotes for these) for the NDIS to consider when allocating funding to the participant’s Plan.

Therapeutic Supports: Allied health practitioners can support NDIS participants who have appropriate funding through the provision of therapeutic supports (e.g. physiotherapy, psychology, occupational therapy etc).

• Registering as a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider in NSW – FAQs
• A GP & Allied Health Professional’s guide to the NDIS – for Allied Health practitioners and GPs
• NDIS Provider Toolkit - for organisations and individuals who want to learn more about working with the NDIS
• NDIS Factsheet: Supports the NDIS will Fund in Relation to Healthcare
• NDIS Webpage: Providing Assistive Technology supports
• NDIS Provider Registration Guide to Suitability - outlines the specific NDIS registration groups/services that Allied Health (and other) professions can register under. This document is part of the Provider Toolkit
• NDIS 2017/18 NSW Price Guide - this sets out the range and types of services (and maximum charges) for NDIS Approved Providers (including Allied Health/therapies), within the brackets of Core (daily living), Capacity (therapies) and Capital (home mods and Assistive Technology) funding.