What is the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a federal scheme that funds reasonable and necessary supports for Australians under 65 with a permanent and significant disability. It provides individualised funding plans rather than block-funding services, letting participants choose their own providers and supports. The scheme was legislated in the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and reached full national rollout in 2020.

The NDIS funds about 660,000 participants as of 2024 and is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Individuals or their families apply through their local Services Australia office or the NDIS Local Area Coordinator. Eligibility requires Australian citizenship or permanent residency, age under 65, and a disability that is permanent and substantially reduces functional capacity in communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care, or self-management.

An approved participant works with the NDIA to develop a plan listing the supports they need to pursue their goals. Funded supports can include therapy (occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, psychology), personal care, transport, assistive technology, home modifications, daily living supports, and supported employment. Plans are typically reviewed every one to three years, with more frequent reviews for children and where circumstances change.

The scheme is funded through a combination of federal and state and territory contributions and an increase to the Medicare Levy from 1.5 to 2 per cent in 2014. Total scheme costs reached about 41 billion dollars in 2023 to 2024. The 2023 NDIS Review led by Professor Bruce Bonyhady and Lisa Paul, and the 2024 NDIS Amendment Act, have started a major reform process to control growth, sharpen the boundary between NDIS and mainstream services, and introduce foundational supports outside individual NDIS plans through the states and territories.