NDIS FAQs | Clear answers for participants, families and Support Coordinators

At Holistic Disability Solutions, we know the NDIS can feel overwhelming, especially when you are under pressure to organise supports quickly. This page answers the most common questions we hear from participants, families and Support Coordinators, with clear explanations and real-world next steps. For official policy and participant rights, you can also refer to ndis.gov.au.

1) What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is Australia’s national funding model designed to provide long-term, individualised support for people living with permanent and significant disability.

Its purpose extends beyond basic care. The scheme aims to build independence, strengthen functional capacity, and support meaningful participation in community life. This may include assistance with personal care, skill development, social participation, employment preparation, therapies, behavioural supports, and assistive technology.

Unlike block-funded systems of the past, the NDIS places funding control with the participant. This means supports should reflect individual routines, cultural needs, clinical risks, and personal goals.

Plans are reviewed periodically to ensure funding remains aligned with changing needs, life transitions, and functional capacity.

2) Who is eligible for the NDIS?

Eligibility considers three core areas:

Age: A person must generally enter the scheme before turning 65.
Residency: Applicants must live in Australia and meet citizenship or visa requirements.
Disability impact: The disability must be permanent and significantly reduce functional capacity.

Functional impact is assessed across areas such as mobility, communication, social interaction, self-care, learning, and self-management.

Importantly, the NDIS does not fund based on diagnosis alone. Two people with the same diagnosis may receive very different plans depending on functional impact, informal supports, and risk factors.

Early preparation of evidence improves access outcomes and reduces delays.

3) How do I apply for the NDIS?

Access begins with submitting an Access Request Form or verbal request. Many people complete this with support from a GP, hospital discharge planner, or allied health professional.

Evidence is then submitted to demonstrate permanency and functional impact. The NDIA reviews this evidence and may request further clarification.

If access is approved, the participant moves into the planning phase, where goals, risks, supports, and funding levels are discussed.

The quality of the initial evidence often influences both the speed of access and the strength of the first plan.

4) What evidence do I need for NDIS access?

High-quality evidence should clearly address:

• Diagnosis and permanency

• Functional impact on daily living

• Safety risks

• Support needs

• Future prognosis

Reports that include practical examples carry more weight than generic summaries.

For example, outlining falls risk, choking risk, behavioural escalation triggers, or supervision needs provides stronger justification than diagnosis alone.

Multidisciplinary evidence is often beneficial, particularly where needs are complex.

5) What does “reasonable and necessary” mean?

This framework determines whether support will be funded.

The NDIA assesses whether the support:

• Is directly related to the disability

• Helps pursue participant goals

• Improves independence or participation

• Represents value for money

• Is evidence-based and effective

• Is not more appropriately funded elsewhere

Understanding this framework helps participants prepare stronger planning discussions and reduce the number of declined funding requests.

6) What are NDIS goals and why do they matter?

Goals shape the entire plan.

They provide justification for funding and guide the implementation of support. Without clear goals, it becomes difficult to argue why specific supports are required.

Effective goals are specific and functional. For example:

• Building confidence in accessing the community

• Developing cooking skills

• Improving emotional regulation

• Maintaining tenancy safely

Well-written goals support stronger funding outcomes and clearer service delivery direction.

7) What are the main NDIS funding categories?

Understanding funding categories supports better plan utilisation.

Core Supports fund daily living assistance such as showering, meal preparation, domestic tasks, and community access.

Capacity Building funds skill development and therapeutic supports such as occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support, and Support Coordination.

Capital Supports funds equipment and environmental changes such as wheelchairs, hoists, pressure care mattresses, and home modifications.

Each category has different flexibility rules, so correct budget use is important.

8) What is a Service Agreement, and why is it important?

A Service Agreement formalises how supports are delivered.

It typically outlines:

• Support types and frequency

• Staffing ratios

• Costs and billing structure

• Cancellation timeframes

• Incident and escalation processes

• Review periods

A well-structured agreement protects funding, ensures transparency, and supports continuity of care.

9) What is the difference between self-managed, plan-managed and agency-managed funding?

Funding management determines administrative responsibility and provider choice.

Self-management offers maximum flexibility but requires invoice processing and record keeping.

Plan management provides financial administration support while maintaining provider choice.

Agency management restricts services to registered providers but reduces administrative burden.

The management type influences both provider selection and service flexibility.

10) Can I choose my own support workers and provider?

Yes. Participant choice is a foundational principle of the NDIS.

Participants can select providers who align with their communication style, cultural values, clinical needs, and personal preferences.

Consistency of staff often improves rapport, behavioural stability, and routine adherence.

11) What is Support Coordination?

Support Coordination assists participants in translating funding into practical, working supports.

This includes:

• Linking providers

• Negotiating service agreements

• Monitoring budget utilisation

• Managing crises or breakdowns

• Building participant capacity

It plays a critical role where supports are complex or unstable.

12) What should I bring to a planning meeting or review?

Preparation improves funding outcomes.

Helpful documentation includes:

• Allied health reports

• Risk assessments

• Behaviour support plans

• Incident reports

• Hospital discharge summaries

• Carer impact statements

Clear evidence of unmet need strengthens review outcomes.

13) What if my supports have broken down or I’m in crisis?

Support breakdown may involve staff withdrawal, behavioural escalation, hospital discharge without services, or carer burnout.

Immediate priorities include:

• Participant safety

• Medication continuity

• Supervision needs

• Environmental risks

Rapid provider response can stabilise situations and prevent hospitalisation or placement breakdown.

14) What is the duty of care in disability support?

Duty of care is both legal and ethical.

Providers must anticipate risks, implement safeguards, and escalate concerns appropriately.

This includes safe transfers, infection control, restrictive practice compliance, and clinical monitoring where required.

15) Do I need a nursing provider for complex care?

Participants with high physical health needs benefit from clinical governance.

Nursing oversight supports:

• Clinical risk monitoring

• Staff competency training

• Wound and continence care

• Medication management

• Chronic disease monitoring

It strengthens safety and reduces preventable hospital admissions.

16) What is a risk assessment?

Risk assessments examine:

• Falls risk

• Choking risk

• Behavioural risks

• Environmental hazards

• Medication risks

• Community safety risks

They inform staffing models, support ratios, and escalation pathways.

17) How do cancellations work in the NDIS?

Cancellation policies align with NDIS Pricing Arrangements.

Notice periods are typically required to avoid chargeable cancellations.

Clear communication between participant and provider supports roster stability and funding protection.

18) Can NDIS funding be used for transport?

Transport may be funded where disability limits independent travel.

This may include:

• Provider transport during supports

• Community participation travel

• Capacity building transport training

Funding structure depends on plan inclusions.

19) What are STA, MTA and respite?

These supports provide accommodation and care when usual living arrangements are disrupted or unsustainable.

They may be used for carer respite, transitional housing, or stabilisation following crisis events.

20) What is SIL?

Supported Independent Living provides structured daily support in shared or individual housing.

It is designed for participants requiring regular supervision, prompting, or physical assistance.

21) What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology enhances independence and reduces risk.

Items may include mobility aids, communication devices, pressure care equipment, and environmental controls.

22) Can the NDIS fund home modifications?

Yes, where modifications are disability-related and clinically justified.

Assessments determine scope, safety, and value for money.

23) What happens if my needs change during my plan?

Participants can request reassessment if care needs escalate, informal supports withdraw, or safety risks increase.

Early review requests help prevent service gaps.

24) Can I change providers?

Yes. Participants can transition providers if service quality, safety, or compatibility is not meeting expectations.

Structured handover protects continuity of care.

25) How do I make a complaint?

Concerns should first be raised directly with the provider.

If unresolved, participants can escalate to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which oversees provider compliance and participant safety.