The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a way of funding supports for people living with disability in Australia.
This section includes NDIS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), and outlines Brain Injury SA’s Services and what these mean in NDIS terms.
This Service is for:
Brain Injury SA and the NDIS – Frequently Asked Questions
Please select a FAQ from below:
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a way of funding supports for people living with disability in Australia.
How do I know if I am eligible for the NDIS?
To be eligible you must be:
- Aged between 0–64
- An Australian Citizen or Permanent Visa holder or Protected Special Category VISA
- Have a significant and lifelong disability
If this is you, you can contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to discuss your eligibility. Read more about eligibility here.
How do I apply for the NDIS?
To request to become an NDIS participant:
- Call NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request OR
- Complete and submit the Access Request Form and send by email to NAT@ndis.gov.au or
You can expect to be asked the following:
- To confirm your identity (show identification)
- To confirm if you would like someone to be able to act on your behalf
- Questions to see if you meet the NDIS access requirements
- Questions about providing consent to enter the NDIS and about seeking information from third parties.
You may also be asked:
- To provide information on how your disability impacts your everyday life. You can provide copies of reports from health professionals to assist with this.
What happens next?:
- If you are deemed eligible for the NDIS you will receive an ‘access decision’ letter. This will tell you if you have been accepted on the NDIS or not.
- If accepted, the next step is creating your NDIS plan. This will happen through a planning meeting, where you and your family will meet with someone from the NDIS to discuss the goals you want to achieve with your NDIS plan.
Preparing for NDIS planning meeting:
- Ask a trusted family member or support person to attend the meeting with you if want.
- Before your meeting, think about your current situation and support needs, is this working well or do you need more support / therapy?
- Think about what your goals are for the future and if there is anything that you need to achieve these?
- A first plan will usually last for around 12 months, so try to think about all that you want to achieve in this time.
- Have a look at the NDIS pre-planning booklet to help: Download PDF Booklet 2 – Planning
What do I do now I have my NDIS plan?
Getting your NDIS plan can at first be a mix of excitement and confusion. Rest assured, there are a range of people available to help you through.
- You may have been given a Support Coordinator to help you, have a chat with them about finding services and support.
- You can also discuss this with your NDIS planner who works with you to put everything together.
You can also contact NDIS providers like Brain Injury SA directly to talk about how we can provide services under your NDIS plan.
What if my application for NDIS is rejected or if I am unhappy with my plan?
- You can ask for an ‘internal review’ which means asking the NDIS to reconsider and relook at your application.
- If you would like to request an internal review, this must be done within three months of receiving your National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) letter.
- If an internal review is completed but you are still unhappy with the result, you can apply for a review from the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), which exists outside the NDIA.
- You can’t ask the AAT to review a decision by the NDIA before there has been an internal review by the NDIA. For advice please ask to speak with a member of our NDIS Appeals team on (08) 8217 7600 or Country Callers 1300 733 049.
What supports can I get through Brain Injury SA?
Brain Injury SA is registered to provide a range of supports through the NDIS to help you achieve your goals.
We have outlined below "what our services are and what these mean in NDIS terms".
If you have any confusion or need more information, please get in contact with us and we will help you through it.
Services and Supports
Overview of Brain Injury SA’s services and what these mean in NDIS terms:
Therapeutic Supports:
This includes occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology and other allied health services to help you improve your mobility and movement, increase your independence and help you overcome challenges in daily living.
In NDIS terms, this is called:
- Capacity Building Supports – Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Capacity Building Supports – Improved Daily Living Skills
Home & Community:
We can help you to learn new skills, access the community, manage your tenancy, attend appointments, do your shopping and participate in social activities and maintain social contact.
In NDIS terms, this is called:
- Capacity Building Supports – Increased Social and Community Participation
- Capacity Building Supports – Improved Living Arrangements
- Capacity Building Supports – Improved Relationships
- Core Supports – Assistance to access community, social & recreational activities
- Core Supports – Group-based community social & recreational activities
Finding & Keeping a Job:
Brain Injury SA can help you with employment preparation, on-the-job training and post-placement support.
In NDIS terms, this is called:
- Capacity Building Supports – Finding and Keeping a Job
How do I get more information?
You can contact our team at Brain Injury SA anytime from 9am to 4:45pm Monday to Friday on 8217 7600 or for country callers 1300 733 049.
You can contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110.
Don’t forget that your NDIS Planner or your NDIS Support Coordinator may also be able to help you.