NDIS FAQs.

All supports paid for with NDIS funds must meet all the reasonable and necessary criteria:

1. Be related to your disability
2. Help you pursue the goals in your plan
3. Support your social and economic participation
4. Be value for money
5. Be likely to be effective and beneficial
6. Complement informal and mainstream supports
7. Be an NDIS support for you.

View our guide: Everything you need to know about the NDIS reasonable and necessary criteria.

The federal government is rolling out NDIS reforms, starting with some significant changes from Thursday 3 October 2024. The changes that started from 3 October 2024 covered many aspects of the NDIS including:

• How eligibility is assessed
• The supports that can be funded by the NDIS
• How plans are managed
• How funding is allocated and needs to be spent
• Requirements for information gathering for eligibility reassessment.

For the latest information on the changes, check out Your complete guide to the NDIS changes.

No. Unspent funds do not roll over to your new plan. When your NDIS Plan ends, any remaining funds are returned to the NDIA. That’s why it’s important to use your funding effectively to achieve your goals and keep track of spending throughout your plan. If your plan reaches its end date and your new plan hasn’t been finalised yet, your current plan will be automatically extended for up to 12 months with the same supports.

A 2023 independent review into the NDIS titled “Working together to deliver the NDIS”, made 26 recommendations with 139 actions to change the system that supports people with disability. The review website states the recommendations provide “a blueprint to renew the promise of the NDIS and deliver a more accessible and inclusive Australia.” Many of the changes to the NDIS from 2024 to 2026 and planned future changes are a result of this report. To adopt some of these recommendations, the government needed to change the NDIS laws. The first of these changes came into effect on 3 October 2024, with more made in 2025, including the introduction of funding periods for NDIS Plans. Key updates include the introduction of funding periods, lists of supports the NDIS may (and won’t) fund and changes to how eligibility is assessed. A new Planning Framework is also expected to be implemented in 2026.

If you buy something that isn’t on the NDIS supports list and isn’t approved as a replacement support, the NDIS won’t cover it. You can’t use your NDIS funds retrospectively to pay for it, even if you think it helps with your disability. Only listed NDIS supports or pre‑approved replacement supports, can be paid for with your NDIS funding. Buying something outside those lists could mean you have to pay for it yourself.

You’ll find your plan management funding in the Choice and Control support category under Capacity Building supports.

An NDIS plan implementation meeting is an optional opportunity to meet with your NDIS contact after receiving your plan. It helps you get started and make the most of your plan. It may be helpful if you are new to the NDIS, have had changes to your plan or have requested changes that have not been approved. It’s not compulsory to attend. If you feel confident managing your plan by yourself or with your support coordinator/plan manager, you don’t need to attend.

Under PACE, the NDIS new computer system introduced in 2023, there are some changes to how plans are structured, including some new support categories. There are now 4 support types: Core, Capacity Building, Capital and Recurring (new). Six new support categories have been added: Home and Living (Core), Behaviour Support (Capacity Building), Assistive Technology Repairs and Rental (Capital), Specialist Disability Accommodation (Capital), Transport Recurring (Recurring), and Young People in Residential Aged Care (Core). See NDIS support categories explained for details.

Recurring supports are where funds are paid directly on a regular basis into your nominated bank account. You don’t need to make a claim for these supports. Recurring transport is a new support category for participants who receive transport funding (for people who cannot use public transport without substantial difficulty due to their disability). Funding will generally be the same amount as before, with eligible participants receiving it pro rata into their bank account on a fortnightly basis.

The new Capacity Building supports, under NDIS PACE plans, group existing goals into clearer categories.

The Capacity Building categories are:

• Support Coordination and Psychosocial Recovery Coaching
• Improved Living Arrangements
• Increased Social and Community Participation
• Finding and Keeping a Job
• Relationships
• Health and Wellbeing (previously called Improved Health and Wellbeing)
• Lifelong Learning (previously called Improved Learning)
• Choice and Control (previously called Improved life choices
• Improved Daily Living Skills
• Behaviour Support.

The key changes include making Behaviour Support its own distinct category (separated from Relationships).

See our Support categories page for the latest information.

Short term respite (previously called short term accomodation) is an NDIS support that gives you a comfortable and safe place to stay for a short time when the people who usually help you (your ‘primary informal supports’) are unavailable or need a break. Short term respite is funded through the Assistance with Daily Life category in your Core Supports budget. It’s usually included as a specific line item or stated support in your NDIS Plan, meaning the NDIA has approved it for your individual circumstances. For more details, check out our article Short term respite replaces short term accommodation.

Generally not. The NDIS will only pay direct family members to provide supports in exceptional circumstances. For example, if you are in a remote area with no services available to you. If you have questions about this or would like to seek approval for a special circumstance, we recommend that you contact your LAC or NDIS Planner to discuss.

A service agreement is a simple, written document that explains your responsibilities and the responsibilities of an NDIS service provider. They allow you to tell the provider what you need and agree on how services will be delivered. This can include when or how often the service will be provided. We recommend having a separate service agreement with each person or business that provides you with services. See our article on the importance of a service agreement.

Yes you can! For example, if you have been allocated 30 hours of individual support you could split the allocation between multiple providers.

You can choose who you share the details of your plan with, including if you would like to share your plan with anyone other than your providers, for example with a family member. You or your nominee have the option to share parts of your plan with providers who have an active service agreement with you. You can provide consent through the myplace portal.

The important thing to understand is that how your plan is managed can affect the providers you can use and how you can claim. If you choose plan management or self-management, you can use registered or non-registered providers. Read our previous article for more information on Registered and unregistered providers.

Yes! Self managing part of your plan and using plan management for the rest offers more options and greater flexibility. It’s also called a ‘combination managed plan’. It allows you to manage each part of your NDIS budget as it suits you.

With a plan management and self management combination, you can use any provider you want. They do not have to be registered with the NDIS.

Would you like to discuss how a combination managed plan might work for you? Call Leap in! on 1300 05 78 78.

At your planning meeting, your NDIS contact will tell you if your plan is under the PACE system. Each time you contact the NDIS, the operator will remind you which computer system your plan is under.

PACE started rolling out across the country on 30 October 2023. Anyone who is beginning the plan reassessment process after that date is likely to be moved to PACE. Your NDIS contact Local Area Coordinator or Early Childhood Partner) or NDIS Planner will contact you and explain what happens next. They’ll ask you how your plan is going, how you’ve used your funding and anything that’s changed. You will only need to attend a plan meeting if your new plan will be different to your current plan.

PACE is the NDIS computer system, introduced in October 2023. All your NDIS-related information is stored here, including your contact details, goals, NDIS plan, funding and providers. It also connects to the updated myNDIS participant portal.

PACE is designed to improve the experience for people on the NDIS and providers by offering clearer and more consistent information on decision-making.

The PACE system also brings changes to how the NDIS works with participants and providers. All new NDIS Plans are now created in PACE. Existing plans will move across as they come up for renewal.

There are many steps on the journey to achieving your career goals. NDIS employment supports can assist with the entire process, from preparing for work, to starting a job, staying employed and making your next career move.

NDIS employment supports include:

1. Core – Supports in Employment: Cover the type of assistance that a support worker is likely to provide related to participating in work or in the workplace. These supports are for participants who are less independent in performing work tasks, or need coaching to stay on track, or communicate with others. 2. Capacity Building – Finding and Keeping a Job: Help to build a job or career pathway and support your work or study goals. Generally, these supports are in addition to what may be reasonably provided by an employer or Disability Employment Services (DES). Supports may include:

• Supplement work experience available through the school system
• Obtaining part time work while finishing secondary education
• Transition from school into further education or training
• Exploring job interests
• Developing communication skills
• Building essential foundation skills for work
• Managing complex barriers to employment
• Job customisation
• Assisting a person to change jobs
• Career planning
• Transitioning from an ADE into open employment.

Employment related assessment, counselling and advice: designed to provide employment related assessment, counselling and advice to assist participants to successfully engage in work.

A stated support is funding in your NDIS Plan that is allocated for a specific support or service. The funding cannot be used for any item other than the one specified. In many cases, your NDIS Plan and support funding has a great degree of flexibility. However, a support that has the term ‘stated supports’ before the description must be purchased as described in your NDIS Plan. Find out more in our article What are stated supports and how do they work?

Having $1 next to an item in your plan could mean it’s an in-kind support (the cost is covered outside of the NDIS); a quote is pending (cost unknown) or the Core supports budget is unlocked and accessible flexibly.

No. You do not have to pay for plan management. The NDIS covers plan management costs by including extra funds in your NDIS Plan. There are no out of pocket expenses, no costs to you and it doesn’t affect your other supports.

If you have plan management, you’ll find it under the Capacity Building – Improved Life Choices budget.

Getting NDIS plan management is easy and available to all NDIS participants. You can ask the NDIS to include plan management in your plan any time by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110, or at your NDIS Plan meeting or reassessment. It’s a good idea to know which plan manager you want to work with so you can endorse them at the same time. You can also endorse the plan manager you want to work with later by calling the NDIS or emailing [email protected].

On its own, ADHD is not usually covered by the NDIS. That’s because it can be hard to meet the NDIS eligibility criteria for permanent and significant disability based on ADHD alone. An adult or child with ADHD who is responding well to treatment such as medication is unlikely to be eligible for the NDIS. ADHD often exists alongside primary disability types such as autism, intellectual disability, learning disability or global developmental delay. These primary disabilities are usually referred to as the main condition, with ADHD considered a co-occurring condition. Someone with one of these primary conditions may be more likely to meet the NDIS eligibility requirements. Learn more in our article ADHD and NDIS eligiblity.

The NDIS early childhood approach is a nationally consistent approach for children with developmental delay or disability and their families. It aims to give children the best possible start in life.

The Early Childhood Approach supports children under 6 with developmental delay or children under 9 with disability and their families. Early Childhood Partners (ECPs) help connect to mainstream (non-NDIS) supports, NDIS supports or a combination of both

Children don’t need a diagnosis to get support. Children who don’t fully meet the definition of developmental delay but have developmental concerns can also receive support.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, contact your doctor, maternal and child health nurse, or other health professional. Your healthcare professional may connect you with an NDIS early childhood partner.

Yes, there is an age limit for the NDIS. To be eligible to join the NDIS, you need to be under 65. After 65, you can choose to remain with NDIS or transition to the aged care system.

To access the NDIS, you need to meet the eligibility and disability requirements:

1. Age: Under 65 (children under 9 are supported through the early childhood approach)
2. Residency: Live in Australia with appropriate residency/visa status
3. Meet disability or early requirements. The NDIS states that you must be able to meet each of the following criteria to be eligible for the NDIS:
   • You have a disability that is caused by an impairment
   • The impairment is likely to be permanent
   • The permanent impairment substantially reduces your functional capacity (see below) to undertake one or more of the following activities: moving around, communicating, socialising, learning or undertaking self care or self management tasks.

To join the NDIS, you’ll need to meet both eligibility and access requirements. If you have a disability, you can find out more about supports by contacting the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or connecting with an NDIS partner. If you contact the NDIS, they will connect you with an NDIS partner. If you are over 9 you will connect with a local area coordinator. For children younger than 9, you will be connected to an early childhood partner. The NDIS partner can help you determine your eligibility and complete an access request to become an NDIS participant. Alternatively, you can complete an access request yourself by downloading the NDIS Access Request form and following the instructions. You’ll need to provide information about your disability and supporting evidence so the NDIA can determine if you’re eligible. An access request is the process for joining the NDIS, including completing the Access Request form and providing detailed information like proof of eligibility and evidence of how your disability reduces your functional capacity in areas like communication, mobility, self-care, or social interaction. Once your access request is submitted, the NDIA reviews it and lets you know whether you’ve been accepted into the NDIS.

As you near the end of your current NDIS Plan, the NDIS will contact you, usually by phone. This ‘check in’ is to see how you are going with your plan and if your needs have changed. After that, one of three things may happen: 1. Plan rollover. Your plan continues for another period (usually 12 months) with no changes to funding or goals. Unspent funds are carried over. This may happen if the NDIS hasn’t finalised your new plan before the current one ends. 2. New plan with the same supports: This may suit you if your situation is stable and your current supports are working well to help you pursue your goals. It’s generally used when there are no major life changes expected in the next year. 3. Plan reassessment. A formal review of your NDIS Plan and supports. It’s likely if:

• The impact of your disability on your life has changed
• You’re entering a new life stage, such as school or work
• Your living arrangements or caring supports have changed
• Support needs have changed for a child under nine.

A goal is something you want to achieve or aim for. In the NDIS, goals are like roadmaps that help guide you towards what you want to achieve. Each NDIS goal is a statement of intention that provides a clear direction and purpose, helping you stay focused. These goals give the NDIS information about what’s important to you and what you want to do in life. For an NDIS Plan to be approved, it must include at least one goal. For inspiration, visit the Goal Tracker section of the Leap in! app.

The NDIS won’t fund anything that isn’t considered a reasonable and necessary support. This includes:

• Everyday living costs that everyone has to pay, like rent, groceries or utility bills
• Items that aren’t related to your disability
• Supports already funded by another service, like Medicare, public health or education
• Anything illegal, unsafe or that’s not considered value for money.

From October 2024, the NDIS introduced a list to make it clearer what can’t be paid for with NDIS funding. Only supports on the approved list (or agreed as a replacement support) can be funded through your NDIS Plan.

NDIS funding is tailored to each individual, based on their disability-related needs, personal goals and circumstances. Once a person is confirmed as eligible for the NDIS, they go through a planning process to identify the supports they need to live an ordinary life and work towards their goals. Following this process, they receive an NDIS Plan, which may include funding across one or more of the following support budgets:

• Core supports: For everyday activities, support with daily living, transport and consumables
• Capital supports: For assistive technology or home modifications
• Capacity building: For building skills and independence
• Recurring supports: For ongoing or regular services and supports

Each NDIS Plan includes a set funding amount for the approved supports which is then used to pay service providers who deliver the supports.

No, assistance from the NDIS is not means tested, which means the value of your assets isn’t taken into account when determining eligibility. NDIS funding does not impact income support such as the Disability Support Pension or Carer Allowance.

Reasonable and necessary is the criteria the NDIS uses to decide which supports and services will be funded in your NDIS Plan. The NDIS may fund a range of supports across areas like:

• Education
• Employment
• Social participation
• Independence
• Living arrangements
• Health and wellbeing.

To be considered reasonable and necessary, supports must be clearly linked to your disability and help you:

• Work towards your goals
• Increase your independence
• Take part in work, study or social activities.

Your NDIS Plan meeting or reassessment will be with your MyNDIS contact, usually a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) from an NDIS partner organisation or an Early Childhood Partner. You can choose to have a plan meeting or reassessment over the phone, in person or by video call, whatever option works best for you. You can attend the meeting on your own or ask a family member, close friend, partner or trusted support person, like a support worker, to attend. See our Plan Meeting Checklist for more information.

Yes. You can do it on your own or ask a family member, close friend, partner or trusted support person like a support worker to attend.

You can request a review of your plan within three months of receiving it. This is called an ‘internal review’. Through this process, the NDIS can review some aspects of your plan including what NDIS supports are included, how those supports are described, how your funding is managed, how long your plan goes for and funding periods applied to your plan. Your review will be handled by an NDIA staff member who wasn’t involved in the original decisions about your plan. They will reconsider all relevant facts, law and policy, and can take new information into account. How to request an internal review:

• Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110
• Write to the CEO, NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
• Email [email protected]
• Visit an NDIS office
• Complete the Request for a review of a decision form.

If you turn 65 after you join the NDIS, you can choose to stay with the NDIS or leave the NDIS and receive supports through the Commonwealth Aged Care System. If you decide to obtain supports through the aged care system, you must notify the NDIS in writing that you no longer wish to be on the NDIS.

The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports that are related to a person’s disability and help them work towards their goals. This can include daily personal care, therapy, assistive technology, transport and more. All supports purchased must directly relate to your NDIS-funded disability. From October 2024, the NDIS introduced official support lists to make it clearer what can and can’t be funded. These include: The new list of supports outlines: What you can spend your NDIS funding on (what IS an NDIS support) What you are not allowed to spend your NDIS funds on (what is NOT an NDIS support). In specific circumstances, participants can request a replacement support for items that are generally not considered NDIS supports. Exceptions apply. The NDIS does not fund everyday expenses or supports that are likely to be the responsibility of mainstream or community services. For details see What will the NDIS pay for?

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the agency whose role is to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIA is a government agency responsible for making the NDIS happen, while the NDIS is the scheme or program that provides support for eligible people with disability.

A combination managed plan allows you to manage each part of your NDIS budget as it suits you, giving you greater flexibility. That means you can choose any combination of the three options – plan management, self management or Agency management – across the various budgets in your plan. You might, for example, self-manage your Core supports and have a plan manager support you for the rest of your plan. You can change the way you manage your NDIS Plan at any time.

Would you like to discuss how a combination managed plan might work for you? Call Leap in! on 1300 05 78 78.

The NDIS may offer plans of up to three years for people with stable support needs who aren’t going through major transitions. Young children and teenagers moving from school to further education/work are likely to receive shorter plans. You can ask your NDIS contact for a longer plan at your plan reassessment.

No. For longer plans, you will get the same budget for each year. That means you get an annual amount to manage and spend on supports and services you need to pursue your goals. You won’t be able to dip into the next year’s funds if your funding runs out so it’s important to manage your budget carefully each year. Your budgets will be indexed annually in June based on any changes in price limits (same as currently).

No. The NDIS will not cover their personal travel costs including flights, transport, accommodation or meals. If it’s necessary for you or your child to have a support worker to travel safely or participate in a holiday, the NDIS may cover the support workers support hours, travel time and kilometres when delivering support. Before booking, agree on expectations. Discuss how many hours the worker will deliver each day, what they’ll help with, and who is paying for what. A written agreement can help make things clearer. See Ask a plan manager: Holidays and the NDIS for more information.