The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is supporting people with disability in Australia.

The NDIS launched in Queensland in 2016, and has been supporting Queenslanders with disability to achieve their goals ever since.

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the NDIS will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians under the age of 65 who have a permanent and significant disability.

For many Queenslanders, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

Participant stories

Independence the key to Sean's goals

Sean has moved out of home and into his own place as he works on his goals of independence, with support through the NDIS and Carers Queensland. Getting fit, developing healthy eating habits and working with his friends is made possible with his support team.

Transcript

Lisa (Sean’s mum): My name’s Lisa this is my wonderful son Sean Fisher. So he had a really big goal of moving into his own place, so he really wanted to live more independently from us at home and he also had a goal of really working on his health and fitness. Because he loves to be active and involved in the community he also wanted to be working and volunteering.

Billy: My name’s Billy and yeah and I am one of Sean’s support workers. So we volunteer at a place called Food Connect where Sean helps out. Then we go to gym and on Tuesday we also go and play soccer.

Lisa: Since accessing the NDIS and moving into his own home we’ve just seen him grow in maturity, he’s very confident to be here overnight on his own, it really feels like it’s his place.

Sean: Let’s look at my old man, here.

Lisa: Sean’s accessed support through the NDIS to access a dietitian and to also do his personal training at the gym. I didn’t find it an intimidating process to work with Carers Queensland, it felt that we were really listened to and that it was really an enabling process rather than that they were gatekeepers to funding and so I think they took our plans, our goals, very seriously and we’ve been really happy with the process.

Payal aims for employment goals

Payal was diagnosed with Stargardt disease when she was pregnant with her daughter in 2010. Losing confidence with herself and feeling like she had to rely on others, Payal was shown how to access the NDIS with the help of Carers Queensland. Now, Payal accesses a support worker at home and is looking forward to returning to work in the future.

Transcript

My name is Payal. I am living with my daughter, husband and my husband’s parents.

During my pregnancy I had changes in the back of my eyes and then the diagnosis in 2010 that I have Stargardt. Stargardt disease is a macular degeneration which blurs the central vision and at the end of the day you get low vision. All the time I was relying on someone so I felt like totally disabled, I can't go anywhere without someone and I am losing my confidence.

So my doctor, my GP she’s the one who tell me about the NDIS. So after I finish my application I got a call from Carers Queensland – they help me a lot and they explain to me very well. I found all procedure very easy and straightforward.

My first goal is to be independent and second goal is I want to start back to work. I am doing the Carer Vision training program right now and right now I am having placement. My ultimate goal is I want to go into pathology – pathology work is my favourite work from the beginning, so I am thinking I can go back.

I am definitely encouraging people who has the same condition, they can get fairly good help from NDIS and they can change their life like what I did.

Are you eligible for the NDIS?


How do I apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply by completing an Access Request Form or request assistance from us via the Contact Us form below. Click the button below for more information on applying for the NDIS or watch the short video about what to expect when applying for the Scheme.


Creating your plan

If you’re eligible for the NDIS you will receive a letter from the NDIA to notify you of the decision. The next step is creating your NDIS plan. You will be contacted by a Carers Queensland Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or an NDIA Planner to set up a meeting to discuss your life, what is important to you, what you would like to achieve over the next couple of years and what kind of help and support you need to get there.

Click the button below to view the planning meeting checklist and get tips on how to prepare for your planning meeting. This short video explains what to expect during the planning process.


Using your plan

After you have completed your planning meeting, you will be notified in writing that your plan has been approved. A Carers Queensland LAC will contact you to talk about what help you need to implement your plan. The LAC will help you understand the different budgets, who can help you start using your plan and how to manage your plan.

Click the button below or watch the short video for more information about starting your first NDIS plan.


Reviewing your plan

A Carers Queensland LAC will contact you to set up a plan review meeting where you will have the chance to provide feedback on what supports are working for you, changes in circumstances and how you are progressing in achieving your goals. You will also have the opportunity to explore and set new goals that build on your previous achievements.

Click the button below or watch the short video for more information about what to expect during the plan review process.


What if you’re not eligible for the NDIS?

If you’re not eligible for the NDIS we can help link you to supports available in your community. Contact Us for more information or click the button below to view supports available through Disability Gateway, for all people with disability.


Helpful information

The NDIS has created three participant booklets along with other resources to support you throughout your NDIS journey. The booklets are a practical tool to help people with disability, participants, their families, carers and the wider community to learn more about the NDIS, prepare for a planning meeting and to implement a plan. You can download the booklets by clicking the links below.

For more information visit the NDIS participant webpage.


Contact us

To get started and to discuss how the NDIS can work for you contact us on 1300 999 636 or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au.

You can also submit your enquiry online using our Contact Form below.