On this page, you'll find:
The NDIS can be confusing, especially with all the new words, acronyms and people involved. This guide is here to help you understand some of the most common terms and the people you may come across as you navigate the NDIS.
It brings together general information from NDIS websites, so you can quickly find what you need in one place. For more detailed or personalised information, please visit the NDIS website.
How to access the NDIS Navigation Service
Getting support is easy. You can:
Once we hear from you, a member of our Helpline team will contact you to understand your needs and offer initial support. If needed, they’ll refer you to our NDIS Navigator for more personalised guidance.
General terms
NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) – the government organisation that runs the NDIS
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) – a program that provides funding to support people with disability.
Participant - A person who is approved to receive NDIS funding.
Goals - Things you want to work towards, like learning a new skill, joining a group, or becoming more independent.
Plan - A written document that lists your goals and the supports the NDIS will fund to help you reach them.
Supports – Help, services or therapy that make it easier for you to do daily tasks, join your community, or work towards your goals.
Funded supports - Supports the NDIS pays for through your plan.
Informal supports - Support you get from family, friends, or community groups – not paid for by the NDIS.
Mainstream supports - Services that are available to everyone, like schools, hospitals, or public transport.
NDIS Participant Charter - This includes a service guarantee. It explains how the NDIA should treat you and how long things should take, like making decisions or replying to your requests.
NDIS Partners - These are local organisations that work with the NDIA to help deliver the NDIS in your area. The type of partner you work with depends on your age:
- Children under 9 work with an Early Childhood (EC) partner.
- People aged 9 to 64 work with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) partner.
ARF (Access Request Form) - This is the form you need to fill out to apply for the NDIS. You fill out section one, and your health professional fills out section two to explain how your disability affects you.
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) - This assessment looks at how your disability affects your daily life. It’s usually done by an occupational therapist or another allied health professional. It can help you apply for the NDIS or ask for more support in your plan if your needs have changed.
Roles
Categories of funding
The NDIS breaks funding into three main types. Each type helps in a different way.
Plan management options
You can choose how your NDIS funding is managed. There are three options:
You can also use a mix of these, depending on what works for you.
Learn more about using your NDIS plan, managing your funding, and working with providers by visiting the NDIS Booklets and Factsheets page.
Review process
Internal review of a decision
If you don’t agree with an NDIS decision, you can ask for an internal review. This used to be called an S100 review. You must ask within 3 months of the decision.
Plan reassessment (participant or NDIA-initiated)
Also known as a change of circumstances or S48 review. You can ask for this if your current plan no longer meets your needs or your situation has changed.
Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)
If you’re not happy with the result of an internal review, you can ask for an external review through the ART. They are separate from the NDIS and make a new decision.
Useful links
NDIS website – Main site for all NDIS information
NDIS webpage for participants - An explanation of the planning process and how you can get supports
NDIS glossary of terms – Definitions of NDIS words and acronyms
Booklets and factsheets – Downloadable resources that explain how the NDIS works
Participant Service Charter – Learn about what to expect from the NDIS
Support budgets explained – Video and information about funding categories
Find an NDIS partner near you – Search for your local EC or LAC partner
Making a complaint or giving feedback – How to raise concerns with the NDIS
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