Thera LifeAustralia
NDIS guides

Plain-English NDIS guides

Short overviews to help you understand the NDIS and prepare your questions. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.

These guides are general information, not advice. The NDIS changes, so please confirm details with the NDIA or your planner before you act.

Who can access the NDIS

The NDIS supports people with permanent and significant disability. To be eligible you generally need to:

  • be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa;
  • live in Australia;
  • be under 65 when you first apply; and
  • have a permanent and significant disability, or need early intervention supports.

The NDIA makes the final decision on whether you meet these requirements.

Applying

You start by making an access request. You can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or ask a Local Area Coordinator (where available) to help.

You will be asked for evidence of your disability, such as reports from a doctor or other health professional who knows you. If the NDIA decides you are eligible, you move on to planning.

Questions to ask when you apply
  • What evidence do I need to provide?
  • Who can help me gather it?
  • How will I be told about the decision, and how long can I expect to wait?

Your planning meeting

Your plan is built around your goals, so the best preparation is thinking about what you want to achieve and what help you already use.

  • Write down your goals for the next year, in your own words.
  • List the everyday things you need help with and what you already have.
  • Gather reports from your health professionals and therapists.
  • You can bring a family member, carer, friend or advocate to the meeting.

Understanding your plan

Supports in your plan must be “reasonable and necessary”. In plain English, they need to relate to your disability, be good value for money, be likely to work for you, and be something the NDIS should fund. Funding is grouped into three budgets:

Core

Everyday support, such as help with daily tasks and community activities.

Capacity Building

Building skills and independence, such as therapy and support coordination.

Capital

Equipment and home modifications, such as assistive technology.

How flexible each budget is can differ, so check your own plan or ask the NDIA.

How your plan is managed

Your plan can be managed in different ways, and you can sometimes combine them:

NDIA-managed

The NDIA pays your providers directly. You can only use providers registered with the NDIS Commission.

Plan-managed

A plan manager pays your providers’ invoices and tracks your budget. You can use registered or unregistered providers.

Self-managed

You pay your providers and claim the money back, or manage payments yourself. You have the most choice, and the most paperwork.

Choosing a provider

You are free to choose who supports you. Before you commit, it helps to ask:

  • Are you registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission? (You can check the Commission’s provider register.)
  • What do you charge, and how does that compare with the NDIS price limits?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • How are your workers screened and trained?
  • How do I give feedback or make a complaint?

Registered providers must meet NDIS quality and safeguarding rules. Unregistered providers can be used if your plan is plan-managed or self-managed.

Reviews and complaints

If you have a problem with a provider or worker

Raise it with the provider first. If that doesn’t work, contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 (TTY 133 677). If anyone is in immediate danger, call 000.

If you disagree with an NDIA decision

You can ask the NDIA for an internal review of the decision. You generally need to ask within three months of getting the decision. If you are still unhappy with the result, you may be able to apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal.

Getting support

You can bring a family member, carer or independent advocate to help you at any step.