Stop guessing.
Understand your plan.

The formal application to be assessed for NDIS eligibility. You must meet age, residence, and disability requirements for the NDIA to approve access.

An independent body that reviews NDIS decisions you disagree with — such as an access denial or a plan with funding you believe is insufficient.

Funding managed directly by the NDIA. Providers submit claims through the NDIS portal. You can only use NDIS-registered providers.

Equipment, devices, or software that help you do things more independently — from shower chairs to power wheelchairs, communication devices, or smart home technology.

Specialist services that help people whose behaviours challenge others — developing strategies to reduce those behaviours and improve quality of life.

NDIS rules that allow providers to charge a percentage of the session fee if you cancel with less than the required notice — typically 2–7 business days depending on the support type.

Funding to help you build skills and independence over time — things like therapy, support coordination, or learning to find and manage your own supports.

Funding for significant one-off items like expensive assistive technology, home modifications, or Specialist Disability Accommodation.

Funded support to help you access social activities, recreational programs, and the broader community — for example, a support worker accompanying you to a sporting event or community group.

Everyday disability-related items you use regularly and need to replace — such as continence aids, bandages, low-cost communication cards, or specialised food for medical needs.

The most flexible part of your NDIS funding — covers everyday activities like personal care, household tasks, and getting out into the community.

Funded support with everyday tasks directly related to your disability — such as showering, dressing, eating, taking medication, and household cleaning.

The NDIS eligibility criteria your disability must meet — broadly, your disability must be permanent (or likely permanent) and substantially reduce your ability to participate in everyday activities.

The NDIS pathway for children under 9, where an Early Childhood partner helps families access the right supports — many without needing a formal NDIS plan.

Supports provided to young children or newly diagnosed individuals where evidence shows that early action will significantly improve outcomes later in life.

Documentation provided to the NDIA to support an access request or plan review — typically diagnosis reports, functional assessments, and letters from treating professionals.

A professional evaluation — usually by an Occupational Therapist — of what you can and can't do independently. Used as evidence for NDIS access requests or plan reviews.

The length of time your current NDIS plan covers. Most plans run for 12 months, after which a plan review is conducted.

A specific outcome you want to work towards, documented in your NDIS plan. Goals guide which supports are funded and how your progress is measured.

Funded changes to your home that improve your accessibility and safety — such as installing grab rails, widening doorways, or building a ramp.

A flexible, creative approach to how you live and get support — designed around your individual preferences rather than fitting you into a group home model.

Unpaid help from family, friends, neighbours, or the community. The NDIS expects informal supports to continue and funds only what informal supports cannot reasonably provide.

A community partner (not an NDIA employee) who helps NDIS participants and families understand the scheme, connect with local services, and implement their plans.

An NDIA staff member based in a specific geographic area who supports LACs and handles more complex participant situations that escalate beyond the LAC role.

Temporary funded accommodation for participants waiting for their long-term housing (like SDA) to become available. Can be funded for up to 90 days.

The NDIS's online portal where participants can view their plan, check funding balances, approve provider bookings, and send messages to the NDIA.

The government agency that administers the NDIS — responsible for assessing eligibility, approving plans, and managing participant funding.

The official document from the NDIA that sets out your goals, approved support types, and how much funding you have in each category for a set period — usually 12 months.

The independent government body that oversees provider quality, handles participant complaints, and takes action against providers who don't meet standards.

A person (or organisation) appointed by the NDIA to act on behalf of a participant in dealings with the NDIS — typically when the participant has difficulty making decisions independently.

A registered provider who manages your NDIS funding — receiving invoices from your providers and paying them on your behalf, and giving you monthly spending reports.

A formal reassessment of your NDIS plan where goals and funding are reconsidered based on how things are going and what has changed in your life.

A funding arrangement where a registered Plan Manager pays your providers on your behalf, giving you access to both registered and unregistered providers.

The NDIS's annual document that sets the maximum amount providers can charge for each support item. Updated every 1 July.

The federal government's digital identity system used by providers to log into NDIS portals, submit payment claims, and manage their registrations.

The key test the NDIS applies to decide whether it will fund a support. A support must relate to your disability, represent value for money, and not be something family or the community would normally provide.

A disability support business approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Required for Agency-managed participants; optional if you are Plan-managed or Self-managed.

The formal letter from the NDIA after a plan review, telling you the result — whether your plan has been approved, changed, or reduced, and the reasoning behind the decision.

A plan review that happens automatically at the end of your plan period, usually every 12 months.

A funding arrangement where you receive NDIS funding directly and pay your own providers — maximum flexibility, but full responsibility for record-keeping and compliance.

A written contract between you and an NDIS provider that outlines the supports they'll deliver, the price, how long the agreement runs, and what happens if you want to cancel.

Temporary accommodation and support away from your usual home — often used to give your family or carers a break, or for you to try living more independently. Usually up to 28 days per year.

Funding for specially designed or modified housing built for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.

A higher-intensity version of Support Coordination for participants with complex situations — such as those at risk of harm, in crisis, or navigating multiple service systems at once.

The complete list of NDIS-funded supports, each with an item number, description, unit of measure, and maximum price. Providers use these codes when submitting payment claims.

A professional funded in your NDIS plan who helps you find providers, set up service agreements, coordinate your supports, and resolve issues when things go wrong.

Funding for paid support workers to help you live at home — usually in a shared house with other NDIS participants — covering personal care, overnight support, and meal preparation.

Allied health services that help you build skills, manage your condition, or improve your functioning — including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and psychology.

NDIS funding to help you get to and from your supports when you can't use public transport because of your disability.

A plan review you can request at any time if your circumstances change significantly — for example, if your disability worsens, you move states, or a major support falls through.

Funding remaining in your NDIS plan at the end of your plan period. Unspent funds generally do not roll over — they return to the NDIA.