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NDIS = National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS came about as it was recognised that change was needed in the way disability services were delivered in Australia. The NDIS is an insurance scheme that gives you more choice and control in regards to choosing service providers in an open market. NDIS supports are funded to: help a person to reach their goals enable participation in the community, and increase a person’s independence

Your NDIS plan will be all about you and what you need to live what you see to be an ordinary life. It will include details about your personal goals and needs, details about the supports you will be funded for, and how much funding you will receive for these supports. ​

The NDIS will fund what they call ‘reasonable and necessary’ supports that are needed to achieve your goals. Depending on your goals, the funding in your plan may include the following: Core funds – this is funding that covers your functional support needs for daily living, which also includes accessing community supports and activities ​​ Capacity Building funds – this funding supports skill building, training, learning, capacity building (including therapies to assist you with your goals), accessing employment, improving health and wellbeing and support coordination ​​ Capital funds – this funding covers the purchase of one-off items such as equipment, technology or modifications. It also includes funding for Specialist Disability Accommodation if needed.

A Support Coordinator will help you connect with all the individual services you need. These can be registered NDIS providers, mainstream or community services. ​ The role of your Support Coordinator is to ‘translate’ your NDIS plan and to connect you with people and services to work toward achieving your goals.

The key difference between a Plan Manager and a Support Coordinator is: ​ A Plan Manager can help with the financial side of your plan A Support Coordinator can help manage your supports and providers who are funded via your NDIS plan