For someone to be eligible for NDIS Funding they must:

Have a significant and permanent disability that substantially reduces their functional capacity, or they need access to early intervention supports.

Be between the age of 7 and 65 when first applying to become a participant. Please note, you may still be eligible if you have a child under 7, information can be found via this NDIS website link.

Be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a protected Special Category Visa holder

Once you have established your eligibility:

• You need to contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to make your ‘Access Request’ (request for NDIS Funding).

• You can make your access request either Verbally over the phone by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110, or by completing a Request Access Form. The form can be downloaded by clicking on this link: Access Request Form (PDF)*. You can also request a copy of the form be mailed to you by calling the NDIA using the above phone number.
  *Please note that some users have experienced issues downloading the form using Internet Explorer. We recommend using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge in this case.

• When making your Access Request, the NDIA will ask you a series of questions about yourself and your disability.

• Your doctor or other health professional may also be required to submit evidence related to your disability and its impact on your life. This is also known as the “gathering of support information” stage. There is an NDIS guide on how to provide evidence of a disability, you can read it by clicking on this link.

• Please note: If completing the paper form, you will require the assistance of a health professional to complete Part F of the form.

• If you completed a Verbal Access Request over the phone, your request will be submitted once all the required evidence is submitted.

• If you need to lodge your Access Request or any supporting evidence electronically, you should do so by sending it to this email address: NAT@ndis.gov.au

Once your access request is approved:

• The next step is to meet with a local NDIA coordinator, commonly known as a Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Early Childhood, Early Intervention services (ECEI) Coordinator or NDIA planner for your NDIS Planning Meeting. You can search for the closest LAC to you by entering your postcode in the NDIS Partner Locator.

• The NDIS Planning Meeting is an important part of creating your NDIS Plan. Your NDIS Plan is personalised for you, created with your input with the help of your support person and LAC, and details all of your goals, how you plan to achieve them, and how your NDIS funding can be allocated.

• Your NDIS Planning Meeting can be conducted either in person or over the phone – whichever option suits you best.

• It is important to be prepared for your planning meeting. You can do this by gathering the information the NDIS requires about you to create your plan and considering your goals. The NDIS have a helpful NDIS Planning Meeting checklist about what you should prepare in advance of your meeting.

At your NDIS Planning Meeting:

• You will likely be asked similar questions to those you answered to confirm your eligibility and during your Access Request.

• In addition to these questions, you will be asked about what supports you are currently receiving, either from service providers, the local community or your friends and family.

• The most important part of your planning meeting is setting your goals. Establishing your short-term and long-term goals will help identify what supports you require to achieve these goals and enjoy a fulfilling life.

• At your planning meeting you will also be asked how you want to manage your plan funding. There are three options: self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed funding. More information on all three options, including a short video explaining them, can be found on the NDIS website via this link.

• During your planning meeting you can request a copy of your plan printed in a variety of accessible formats such as Braille, electronic text (on CD), large print or audio (on CD), or translated into your preferred language.

• Your ECEI Coordinator, LAC or NDIA planner will let you know the next steps and how long it will take to receive your approved plan.

After your Planning Meeting:

• The NDIA will prepare your approved NDIS Plan and provide it to you either in person or by mailing it to your address. You can also access your NDIS Plan through the ‘myplace portal’, which is an online service provided for NDIS participants. The myplace portal is accessed by logging into MyGov in the same way as Medicare and other services. Here is a link providing more information about the myplace portal.

• Your NDIS plan will usually be in place for a period of 12 months, unless otherwise stated. After this time the plan is usually reviewed as part of another NDIS Planning Meeting with your support person and LAC, to help you set new goals and identify changes in your life.

Now that you have your approved NDIS Plan:

• You can begin accessing your funding for the supports you require. Depending on how you chose to have your plan funds managed, either by the NDIA, self-managed or managed by a registered third-party such as Disability Plan Services or Plan Partners, how you access your funding and pay service providers will differ.

When it comes to implementing your Plan:

• You can either do this yourself, or with the help of your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or a support coordinator. Your LAC can help you find a support coordinator that is right for you.

• Your support coordinator will help you implement your NDIS Plan by connecting you with supports and services in the community. If you know about service providers that you want to use, make sure to tell your support coordinator.

Ultimate Care

• At Ultimate Care we have range of services under, delivered by a dedicated, diverse, passionate, and committed team of professionals. We connect you the right support person and work closely with you to help you accomplish all your goals.

• Your NDIS plan will continue for a period of 12 months, after which you need to review your plan to make sure it still meets your needs and goals.

• For example, you may find that over time you no longer need some supports, such as assistance with cooking and shopping, but you would now like more support with accessing community activities.

• If your disability needs or living circumstances change before your scheduled plan review, you should request a plan review. Depending on the circumstances, the NDIS may or may not need to review and change your plan.