Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be complex, particularly if you’re new to the system. But once you understand how a NDIS plan works and how to make the most of it, it can become a valuable resource for building independence, connecting with your community, and accessing supports that can help
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about NDIS plans, including eligibility, how to apply, what types of support are available, and how you can maximise your plan to achieve your goals.
If you’re looking for personalised support to manage your plan and connect with the right providers, MyIntegra offers NDIS plan management and specialist support coordination services to help you get the most out of your NDIS plan.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an initiative by the Australian government which provides funding to eligible people with disability for essential supports and services that help them participate in everyday life and work towards their individual goals.
What is an NDIS plan?
An NDIS plan gives eligible people access to a package of personalised government funding and supports that may help them meet individual needs and work toward their goals.
Your NDIS plan sets out the types of funding you’ll receive and how it can be used to access different supports and services.
What are the benefits of having an NDIS plan for people with disability?
An NDIS plan can open the door to greater independence and a better quality of life for many people with disability. By providing personalised supports and services, participants can work towards their goals with freedom of choice and control to live life on their terms.
Here are some of the common benefits that you may gain with an NDIS plan:
1. Personalised support tailored to individual goals
Each NDIS plan is designed around a participant’s unique goals, which may be related to building skills, improving social connections, or achieving greater independence. This tailored approach means individuals receive support relevant to their specific needs, in areas important to them.
2. Increased independence and skill-building opportunities
With funding allocated to various support categories, participants can access services that help them develop essential life skills.
This can include support with activities in daily life, mobility assistance, relationship-building and community activity participation. Over time, these supports can promote greater self-reliance and confidence in daily life.
3. Greater access to the community and social inclusion
The NDIS encourages participants to be active members of their community and build social relationships. Your plan can include supports that help you engage in social activities, join community groups, and build meaningful relationships.
Accessing these supports can help break down barriers to social inclusion and promote a better sense of belonging and connection.
4. Improved health and wellbeing
Many NDIS plans include funding for therapy, exercise programs, and other health-related services that can improve both physical and mental well-being. Access to personalised health and well-being supports can help participants manage disability-related health needs that can improve overall wellbeing.
5. Financial support and security
With an NDIS plan, participants receive funding to cover the cost of necessary disability-related support and services, offering financial relief and security. This funding helps individuals afford essential services, assistive technology, and home modifications, reducing financial stress for participants and their families.
6. Enhanced employment and education opportunities
NDIS plans can include funding for job training, career support, and educational resources, enabling participants to pursue employment or further education.
By building skills and providing access to employment-related services, the NDIS can open doors for economic participation and financial independence.
7. Flexible management options for convenience and control
NDIS plans can be self-managed, NDIA-managed, or plan-managed by a plan manager like MyIntegra. Each option allows for varying levels of control and support, enabling participants to choose what works best for them.
A plan manager, such as MyIntegra, can provide support in managing your NDIS budget, paying invoices, keeping track of financial records, funds and spending, allowing you to focus on your goals while a trusted provider handles the administrative tasks.
Who is eligible for an NDIS plan?
Eligibility for a NDIS plan depends on several factors, including your age, residency status, and the impact of your disability on daily activities. You may qualify for the NDIS if you meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 9 and 65 years, with other pathways available for those outside this age range, including an early childhood approach for children younger than 9.
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
- Have a permanent and significant disability that substantially impacts daily life and requires ongoing support, or have early intervention needs that may reduce future support requirements.
If you think you meet the criteria and could be eligible, the next step is to contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to start your application process.
How to apply for an NDIS Plan
Applying for an NDIS plan involves a few important steps:
1. Contact the NDIS
You can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to discuss your eligibility for NDIS. If they believe you might qualify for the NDIS, they will send you an Access Request Form. Alongside returning the access request form, you will need to submit your supporting evidence.
The NDIS will decide if you are eligible or be in contact requesting more information within 21 days.
You can reach out to the NDIS by phone or online to start the application process.
2. Submit supporting documentation
You’ll need to provide documentation that provides evidence of the impact of your disability. This may include medical records, assessments, and letters from professionals who understand your needs.
3. Participate in a planning meeting
If your application is approved, you’ll attend an initial planning meeting with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC). During this meeting, you’ll discuss your goals, needs, and preferences, which will help shape your NDIS plan.
Understanding your goals and what you’re hoping to achieve through the NDIS can be essential to develop a plan aligned with your needs.
What is included in an NDIS Plan?
NDIS funding is generally allocated across different support budgets depending on your needs and approved supports:
A. Core supports
Core supports are designed to help with everyday activities. These supports provide essential services and assistance with tasks that are crucial for daily life, such as:
- Assistance with daily life – Includes help with personal care, household tasks, and other day-to-day activities.
- Transport – Supports participants who are unable to use public transportation due to their disability and require specialised travel assistance.
- Consumables – Covers items related to disability support needs, such as incontinence products and low-cost equipment.
- Social and community participation – Helps you to access activities and social groups, allowing individuals to connect with others and participate in community life
- Home and Living –Helps you live as independently as possible. This is a stated support meaning the type of support you can use will be explained in your plan.
B. Capacity building supports
Capacity building supports focus on developing skills and capabilities that enhance independence and overall quality of life. There are ten sub-categories under capacity building, which include:
- Behaviour support – strategies to help understand and manage behaviours of concern.
- Choice and control – the funding to pay a registered plan manager if you choose to have your funding plan managed.
- Finding and keeping a job – Provides employment-related support, including career planning and job training.
- Health & wellbeing – May fund exercise classes or personal training to enhance physical and mental health.
- Improved daily living – Enhances daily living skills, often through therapy and training.
- Improved living arrangements – Helps with finding and maintaining suitable housing.
- Increased social and community participation – Builds skills for social engagement and participation.
- Lifelong learning – Help you with moving from school to further education like University or TAFE.
- Relationships – Help you develop social skills and build relationships in your community.
- Support coordination – A key service that connects participants with providers, ensuring they access the right services to achieve their goals.
C. Capital supports
Capital supports cover high-cost items that are essential for your mobility, accessibility, and independence. This category includes:
- Assistive technology – Items like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and mobility aids that support independence and improve quality of life.
- Assistive technology – maintenance, repair & rental – supports to repair and maintain assistive technology, includes trials and short-term rental.
- Home modifications – Funding for necessary modifications to your home to improve accessibility and safety, such as installing ramps or accessible bathrooms.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) – a specifically designed house for a person with significant functional impairment or very high support needs.
D. Recurring supports (for PACE plans)
Some PACE plans may include recurring funding that is paid directly to you for approved ongoing supports, such as transport. The way this funding is presented can vary depending on your plan.
Managing your NDIS plan
An NDIS plan gives you a framework for support, but how you manage and utilise your plan will ultimately determine how beneficial it is for you. You have three options for managing your NDIS funds:
Self-management
Self-management means you are responsible for managing your plan, including all the financial tasks and decisions, such as paying providers, claiming and managing payments through the NDIS system and keeping track of your spending and paperwork. With this option, you can select any provider (registered and unregistered) and manage all your invoicing and payments. This option allows full control and flexibility, although does require significant time, effort and strong administrative, financial and decision-making skills to manage effectively.
NDIA-management
With NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) management, the NDIA handles all payments directly with registered providers. This option reduces your administrative load, but you’ll be limited to registered providers only.
Plan management
Plan management offers a middle ground. You can choose from both registered and unregistered provides while your plan manager handles the paperwork and payments. The NDIS cover the cost of a plan manager, and funding is completely separate from your other support budgets, so it won’t take funds away from the services you already have.
How do you monitor your NDIS plan?
To monitor the funds in your NDIS plan, you can log in to the NDIS portal to track spending, adjust supports, and ensure your funds are allocated effectively. With MyIntegra Plan Management, you get 24/7 access to the MyIntegra portal to help you review your funds, track spending and receive updates anywhere, anytime.
Regular plan reviews allow you to update your goals and make adjustments as your needs evolve, keeping your plan aligned with your life. If you have a plan manager, they can provide you with personalised guidance to help you manage your funds and get the most from your plan.
What is plan management, and how can it help?
Plan management is a service available within the NDIS that can support you in managing the financial and administrative aspects of your NDIS plan.
Many participants go with this option because it combines flexibility with convenience.
A registered plan manager, like MyIntegra, looks after submitting claims and checking invoices, paying providers, and keeping accurate financial records while giving you freedom and control to choose your providers, how you approve invoices and how you spend your funding on your approved supports, in-line with the NDIS guidelines.
During your planning meeting, you can let your NDIS planner or LAC know that you’d like a Plan Manager to assist you. The NDIS will then include funding in your plan to cover the cost of your Plan Manager. This funding is separate from your other services and supports in your budget.
Benefits of plan management with MyIntegra
Using a plan manager like MyIntegra provides a range of benefits:
- Streamlined payment processing – MyIntegra ensures fast and accurate invoice reviews and validation usually within one business day, with payments typically made one business day after we receive funds from the NDIA.
- Financial oversight – With access to 24/7 budget tracking, via our online portal and mobile app, you can see exactly where your funds are going, helping you to make the most of your NDIS plan.
- Choice and control – MyIntegra allow you to choose from both registered and unregistered providers, so you have more flexibility in who you work with.
- Personalised support – Our team of NDIS plan management experts offer guidance and advice to help you make informed decisions about your funding, enabling you to get the most out of your NDIS plan.
What is support coordination, and how can it help?
Support Coordination is another service offered under the NDIS to help participants navigate the system, understand their plan and connect with the right providers.
- If your NDIS plan includes funding for support coordination, you can work with a support coordinator who will:
- Connect you with providers – A support coordinator helps match you with providers who meet your needs, whether they’re in your local area or offer specific services.
- Build your capacity – Support coordination can build your confidence and independence over time by helping you build the skills and knowledge to navigate the NDIS and make sure your supports are working for you.
- Maximise your NDIS funding – Support coordinators can help you understand your plan, connect with providers and build the skills to coordinate supports more independently.
Benefits of support coordination with MyIntegra
With MyIntegra’s Specialist Support Coordination services, you gain a dedicated partner who works with you to achieve your NDIS goals, offering expert guidance, extensive sector knowledge, and a deep commitment to your success.
Here’s how support coordination with MyIntegra can benefit you:
Personalised support and goal alignment
MyIntegra’s support coordination team takes the time to understand your unique needs, aspirations, and NDIS plan goals. We work closely with you to ensure every support aligns with what you want to achieve—whether that’s increasing your independence, improving daily living skills, or building community connections.
Our support coordinators are skilled at tailoring recommendations to your preferences, ensuring each service we connect you with brings you closer to your goals.
Access to quality, trusted providers
Navigating the provider landscape can be challenging, especially when you’re looking for specific services that meet your needs.
MyIntegra has established strong connections with quality providers across Australia, including both registered and unregistered options, giving you a wide range of choices.
We evaluate providers carefully, prioritising those who offer reliable, high-quality services, so you can feel confident about every service you access.
Ongoing support and guidance
Our support coordinators are your ongoing partners, providing assistance whenever you need it.
From helping you understand your plan to coordinating complex supports, MyIntegra is here to answer your questions, troubleshoot issues, and offer practical solutions. Our proactive approach means we stay in touch, helping you adjust supports as your needs or circumstances change, ensuring your NDIS plan remains effective.
Building skills for independence
At MyIntegra, we’re committed to empowering you. Our support coordination service is designed to build your capacity and confidence, teaching you the skills needed to eventually manage your plan more independently if that’s your goal.
We can work with you to understand your plan, goals and NDIS journey, prepare for plan reviews, navigate provider relationships and equip you with the knowledge and tools to make informed choices.
Efficient management of complex needs
If your NDIS journey involves navigating multiple systems, high risk, or complex barriers, we offer Level 3 Specialist Support Coordination.
This is the highest level of NDIS support coordination, designed for people with very complex needs. It involves specialist skills and working closely with multiple services to make sure you get the right support.
Our job is to bring stability and connect you with the services that fit your needs, even in challenging situations.
Proactive problem-solving and advocacy
If issues arise with a provider or if you need adjustments to your plan, MyIntegra’s Support Coordinators will be your advocates.
We’re here to handle challenges for you, whether it’s resolving service issues, arranging provider changes, or advocating for plan reviews when you need additional support.
Our team is dedicated to removing barriers so you can focus on your goals and well-being.
Transparent communication and accessible updates
We make sure you’re always informed. With transparent and proactive communication, our support coordinators will keep you updated on your support arrangements, budget usage, and any new options available to you. We communicate in clear, accessible language, ensuring you understand each step in your NDIS journey and feel confident making decisions about your support.
How to make the most out of your NDIS plan
An NDIS plan is more than just a list of funded supports.
When used effectively, it can be a pathway to a more fulfilling and independent life. Here are some tips for maximising your plan:
- Set clear goals – Having defined goals can guide your spending and ensure your plan is working towards what matters most to you.
- Use plan management and budgeting tools – With MyIntegra’s budget calculator, you can calculate the cost of supports to build your budget for part of your plan.
- Regularly review your plan – Circumstances and needs can change over time. Regularly reviewing your plan with a support coordinator ensures it continues to meet your needs.
- Stay informed – Understanding the NDIS Pricing Schedule and how your funds are allocated empowers you to make informed choices about your spending. With Plan Managers like MyIntegra, you have access to an easy-to-use online portal to track your spending, review and approve invoices and monthly reports.
- Seek help when needed – Plan managers and support coordinators like MyIntegra can offer valuable support if you ever feel uncertain about your plan.
What if I am not eligible for an NDIS plan?
If you’re not eligible for an NDIS plan, there are still several options available to access support and resources.
The NDIS provides referrals to other government-funded and community-based services to ensure people with disabilities receive the assistance they need.
Here are some pathways to consider:
1. Local Area Coordinators (LACs) and early childhood partners
Local Area Coordinators and early childhood partners can guide you to local services and programs that offer support outside the NDIS. They can connect you with health services, community programs, employment assistance, and recreational activities suited to your needs.
2. State and territory services
Each state and territory offers disability support programs for individuals who may not qualify for the NDIS. These programs vary, but they often provide resources like home modifications, personal care assistance, and accessible housing options. Contact your state or territory’s health or disability department to explore these services.
3. Community health and disability support services
Many community organisations provide support for people with disabilities, including counselling, social activities, training programs, and advocacy services. Non-profit organisations and disability service providers often offer services at a reduced cost or free of charge, which can be a valuable resource for additional support.
4. National and local support organisations
Australia has numerous disability support organisations, such as the Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), which are non-for-profit organisations that offer employment opportunities and training. Other organisations, such as Carers Australia, can provide support for family members and carers.
While the NDIS is a valuable resource, it’s not the only way to access disability support. If you’re not eligible, there are still many services available to help you achieve independence and reach your personal goals.
Why choose MyIntegra?
MyIntegra is dedicated to helping you live life on your terms, with services designed to maximise your independence, social inclusion, and personal growth.
We offer both plan management and support coordination to ensure you have the tools, knowledge, and support needed to make your NDIS plan work for you. With MyIntegra, you’ll benefit from:
- Proactive, person-centred support – We believe in a personalised approach, working with you to ensure you achieve the best outcomes.
- Experience and expertise – Our team has extensive experience in the NDIS and is committed to making the NDIS experience as seamless and informative as possible.
- Empowering tools – Access to easy-to-use budgeting tools, real-time budget tracking, and a dedicated portal that puts you in control.
Ready to make your NDIS plan work for you?
Whether you’re new to the NDIS or already have a plan in place, understanding your funding and support options can make a big difference.
MyIntegra’s experienced team can help you navigate your plan, manage your funding, and connect with the supports that matter most to you.
Get in touch with MyIntegra today to learn how we can support your NDIS journey.
To find out more about MyIntegra’s services, visit our plan management or support coordination pages, or explore our resources for more information on navigating the NDIS.
