Accessing the NDIS

Help for non-English speakers

If you need help to understand the information in this policy please contact the school office on (03) 9366 4322

The NDIS is how the Commonwealth Government provides support to Australians with disability, their families and carers. It is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). The NDIA makes decisions about whether someone is eligible to become an NDIS participant and, if so, how much funding they will receive. Eligibility is focused on lifelong, functional impairment.

For children who are NDIS participants, funding is allocated to the child with their family, carer or advocate, who choose who they will purchase services from and when, and where and how they will receive services.

The NDIS does not fund services that are reasonable and necessary for children to participate in education. These remain the responsibility of the Department of Education (the department).

For an Easy English version of the NDIS and your child's school, download: The NDIS and your child at school (PDF, 561KB).

For more information, visit the NDIS website or call 1800 800 110.

Accessing the NDIS

People who are eligible for the NDIS will be supported to apply by a local area coordinator or early childhood partner.

NDIS partners can help families learn about and access the supports available in their community and supports available through the NDIS.

For more information, see Apply to the NDIS or call 1800 800 110.

For children younger than 9

The early childhood approach is how the NDIS supports children younger than 6 with developmental delay or children younger than 9 with disability and their families to access the right support when they need it.

Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the early childhood approach where there are concerns about their development.

The early childhood approach was developed based on evidence-based research with the help of leading experts in early childhood intervention.

The approach supports best practice in early childhood intervention because it helps the child and family to build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and everyday settings, meaning each child will be provided with opportunities to grow and learn.

For children aged 9 and over

The NDIS supports children older than 9 through local area coordinator (LAC) partners.

LACs will work with you to understand your child’s needs and connect you to mainstream and community supports in your area. They can also help you see if the NDIS is right for your child.

For more information, see LAC partners in the community.

To find EC and LAC partners in your area, visit: the Offices and contacts in your area page on the NDIS website or phone 1800 800 110.

Communication  

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

• Available publicly on our school’s website through iNewsletter 

• Included in parent & staff handbooks

• Included in transition and enrolment packs 

• Sent out through Seesaw so that it is easily accessible to parents, carers and students

• Included as annual reference in school newsletter

• Made available in hard copy from school administration upon request 

Policy Review and Approval