The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is founded on the ideals of the free market, with people with disability being active consumers who’re able to make choices about where they spend their funding to receive the support that suits them best.
But choice and control doesn’t have the same impact when choice is limited.
And choice could become challenging, it seems, with 21 per cent of providers who responded to a national survey detailed in the National Disability Services (NDS) State of the Disability Sector Report, saying they’re considering getting out of the sector entirely.
Their considerations could be linked to the fact that half the provider respondents to the survey reported they made a financial loss in the 2023-2024 financial year, while just 13 per cent broke even. Additionally, 80 per cent of respondents said they were concerned they wouldn’t be able to continue providing NDIS services at the rates outlined in the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (the Price Guide).
Why does this matter to participants? Well… because, if providers can’t cover their expenses – including staff training, compliance, recruitment, retention, filling vacancies or finding new clients – they’re at risk of shutting up shop, leaving participants with less choice or, even more critically, at risk of being unsupported.
And all of this is happening against the backdrop of the rising cost of living that’s impacting all Australians. Utility bills have gone up, insurance premiums have increased, petrol prices have surged, and yet many items in the Price Guide have remained the same for at least five years.
Weigh all that up and the maths is simple – it costs more today to do business.
NDS CEO, Michael Perusco, says the State of the Disability Sector Report shows it’s vital the National Disability Insurance Agency works with providers to achieve policy settings so providers can continue to serve and support people with disability and their loved ones.
"We are particularly concerned about the likely closure of some long-standing services across the country. This will leave people with disability with fewer options and some with very complex needs will have no other options at all,” says Mr Perusco.
"These organisations are acting as the safety net for people, particularly when there are no suitable alternative federal, state or non-government supports available.
"It is incredible to see the adaptability and resilience of many service providers in a tough environment as they continue to work hard to support to people with disability, but they too need support to keep going.”
So, what does the future hold?
The NDS survey found almost all providers (96 per cent) are working hard to improve productivity and 51 per cent want to expand their operations, but they can’t do that much longer under current conditions without government support.
“What’s needed is assistance with innovative measures to improve productivity, fair funding that supports sustainable services, and action to build a stronger workforce and provide more employment opportunities,” says Mr Perusco.
There is a will and a drive to work smarter and be creative to find solutions for participants. But no-one operates in a vacuum and NDS warns that the Federal Government – which controls much of the way the NDIS operates – must support effective operations for providers. Meanwhile, it says state and territory governments must ensure foundational supports are in place, in order to contribute to the sustainability of the NDIS.
The Scheme is Australia’s biggest social reform since Medicare. And that means we owe it to each other and the people with disability who are participants – or who will join as participants – to get it right, now and in the future.
By now you’ll know all about the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) new spending rules and how they’ve changed the way funding is allocated and used.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has defined the supports participants can’t and can’t purchase, and clarified the rules around requesting a substitute – known as a ‘replacement support’.
The question is, what exactly is a replacement support, what can it replace, and when?
The NDIA defines a replacement support as a service, an item, or equipment a participant would like to use instead of the NDIS support or supports in their plan, with the Agency confirming replacements are substitutes and not additional supports.
Currently, the list of replacement supports is limited to:
Replacing an approved support with a standard commercially available household item may be considered when there’s clear evidence that the need relates specifically to a participant’s impairment.
You can discover more about impairments and how they relate to NDIS eligibility here.
A replacement may also be considered if it’s seen to increase ‘whole task’ independence and reduce or remove the need for a support worker or disability specific assistive technology (e.g., a blender to prepare meals aligned to a modified diet).
The NDIA may consider a replacement when a participant needs a device or app to meet communication and accessibility needs arising from disability. An example could include a non-verbal participant utilising a tablet to communicate with their loved ones and service providers.
Any smart device used for tracking purposes could be considered a restrictive practice and needs to be considered in this context.
The NDIA needs to be satisfied that a replacement support will provide the same or better outcomes and cost the same or less than a support that’s already included in a participant’s plan. Participants must apply for – and receive – approval of a replacement support before purchasing the support. To do that, they can fill out an application for a replacement support, or provide the NDIA with information to support their request by email or via a phone call to the Agency. Only some supports can be replaced and only if the NDIA agrees in writing.
If an application for a replacement support isn’t approved, the participant must wait 12 months before they can request it again. The NDIA’s decisions about replacement supports aren’t reviewable, meaning participant can’t seek to have the decisions reversed.
To keep up to date with changes to the NDIS as they come up, be sure to bookmark and visit these pages:
Summary of legislation changes | NDIS
Frequently asked questions about legislation
Are you confused about what you can buy with your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding, or what your plan covers? Do you worry about incurring debt by making purchases that the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) won’t pay for?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone!
With new legislation tightening up spending in the NDIS, and the disability landscape shifting shape once again, keeping on top of which supports the Scheme will and won’t fund is no easy task.
That’s why it's more important than ever to be proactive and ask for the supports you need, so they can be stated in your plan and funded accordingly.
Linda Grant, one of our national team of Community Engagement and Partnerships Managers, previously worked as a support coordinator and has extensive experience of helping people with disability to secure vital funding.
We spoke with her to find out how ask for the funding you need. Here’s what Linda had to say.
Previously, there seemed to be a lot more flexibility in how ‘reasonable and necessary’ was interpreted. We saw the likes of the NDIS ‘Can I buy it?’ checklist – a layperson’s guide of legislation s34 – Reasonable and Necessary, which made it easier to understand what people could and couldn’t use their NDIS funding for.
The NDIS supports lists, which were recently introduced, have created a lot of uncertainty for participants, their families, service providers, and support coordinators – pretty much everyone. I expect the intention of this change was the appropriate use of NDIS funds, but now there’s a real hesitancy around spending, and many worry the changes have created such fear that some people may be going without necessary supports because they’re unsure if they meet the NDIA’s requirements.
The good news is, there are steps you can take to spend funding with confidence.
We’re seeing plans coming through that are a lot more prescriptive than they were in previous years, meaning there’s less flexibility around how funding can be utilised. When supports are written into a plan from the start, there’s certainty that the NDIS will fund them.
There’s more focus now on getting the planning right to ensure participants are set up for success in their new plans.
It’s difficult to give a definitive list of supports to request, as everyone’s support needs are different. If a participant requires supports that are on the list of ‘Supports that are not NDIS supports’, I highly recommend working towards having those written into a plan.
When I was a support coordinator I’d often ask: ‘If you could put your disability aside, could you complete the task independently?’. If they could, then it was evident support was required as a direct result of disability.
Also, it’s great when participants have strong support at home, work and in the community. We want to support, for example, an adult child and their mother to have the relationship they’d have if the child didn’t have disability. Would you still be performing personal care for your 22-year-old son if he didn’t have disability? Not generally, so it’s about making sure he has choice.
If you’re in doubt about a support, but unsure about whether or not it will be funded, I say ask for it, because it’s always better to have a support funded and ready for when and if you need it.
Talk to your support network and find out what supports might assist you – such as therapies (like occupational therapy and physiotherapy), support workers, meal preparation and transport. Think about what’s worked well and what hasn’t. Then work with your support coordinator or others in your support network to ensure those supports are considered for the new plan period – and make sure to allow sufficient time for reporting (i.e. functional capacity and end of plan reports) from allied health professionals. It’s important that reports are written in a way that identifies any gaps in supports, how supports can assist, and why they’re most appropriately funded by the NDIS. This approach ensures you’re heading into a plan reassessment fully equipped to leave with a plan that best suits your needs.
There are some great guides out there to assist providers with report writing, including these two:
Tips for excellent NDIS report writing
Three to four months before a plan reassessment is the best time to start, but many plans are automatically rolling over. In short, flag the change in support needs as soon as you can. If the support needs are due to a change in circumstances, you can contact the NDIA to discuss what option may be best for you.
A support coordinator (if you have one) is a great person to assist and if you have a significant change in a particular area, such as housing, there are specialist support coordinators out there who can help.
Participants who don’t have funding for support coordination can liaise with a Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Early Intervention partner, or the NDIA directly, as well as turning to family members, friends, and the community. And don’t forget, your plan manager can assist too.
Fundamentally, all supports need to be approved by an NDIA delegate, but many alternative supports can assist you to navigate that pathway, so you’re set up for success.
My Plan Manager’s NDIS experts support people to understand their plans, how they can use them, and how to manage their funding, and participants can also get support from our online community – Kinora – which connects people with disability and their supporters to peers, NDIS experts, disability sector professionals and service providers.
There are some amazing resources available on the NDIS website to support you with preparing for your planning meeting and creating your NDIS plan. If you’re already connected with providers, work with them to source the evidence you need – current functional capacity assessments are always a good option to take along to your planning meeting (current usually means less than two years old). Be sure any reports you present from your providers highlight any gaps in supports, include recommendations on how to fill them, and detail what those supports will help you to achieve.
Under the new legislation that came into effect on 3 October 2024, the NDIA has compliance powers for circumstances where it believes a provider and/or a participant wrongly spends NDIS funding. This includes the ability to raise a debt. The NDIA has previously been able to raise a debt, however the new legislation makes the Agency’s powers clearer. The long and the short of it is that you should do everything you can to have the supports you need included in your NDIS plan, so you know they’ll be funded.
The NDIS educators at DSC have explored the topic of debt in an informative article you can find here.
And don’t forget, at My Plan Manager we’re here to help. We’re all about uncomplicating the NDIS, and if you have a tricky question about your plan – like how to use it or what it can fund - our friendly team is ready to assist. You’re never alone with us in your corner!
You can email us at enquiries@myplanmanager.com.au or call us on 1800 861 272 from 8am-5.30pm (SA time), Monday to Friday.
Updated 13 February 2025
Change can be confusing at the best of times – and in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) it’s usually accompanied by a lot of new terminology as well.
In recent times, you may have heard about something called a ‘Notice of Impairments’ – and you may be wondering what it’s all about.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
The 2024 introduction of new legislation governing NDIS brought with it a raft of changes, including the introduction of a new tool known as a Notice of Impairments.
Developed in response to recommendations made by the NDIS Review – as well as requests from people with disability for clarity around Scheme access – the Notice is designed to provide you with information about how you meet the NDIS’ disability or early intervention requirements, or both.
But what else does the Notice mean and who does it affect? Here’s what we know so far.
Everyone who’s joined the Scheme since 1 January 2025 has been told what impairment or impairments made them eligible for the NDIS, with the information outlined in their Notice.
People who were accessing NDIS supports prior to 2025 will receive their Notice when they move to a new plan, and the Agency will let them know if any further information is needed, and whether there will be any changes made to their supports.
So, for now, there’s nothing you need to do.
In the past, NDIS eligibility was based solely on whether or not a person had a diagnosed disability, but under the new legislation, things have changed.
These days, to become an NDIS participant, you need to meet the Agency’s disability or early intervention requirements, or both. That means you must provide the NDIA with evidence of one or more impairments that are likely to be permanent and show how your disability impacts your daily life.
Under the new system, there are six categories of impairment:
If the NDIA agrees your disability spans multiple categories (e.g. intellectual and physical), then your Notice will clearly state that.
To find out more about the Agency’s approach to impairments, click here.
You or your nominee (if you have one) can ask the NDIA to vary your impairment category if it’s not right, or if things have changed.
It’s likely you’ll need to provide evidence to support your request and if the NDIA doesn’t agree with you and decides not to make a change, you can ask for that decision to be reviewed.
The NDIA understands that everyone is different and even people with the same diagnosis can have different impairments and support needs.
Under the new system, every NDIS participant will have a support needs assessment, which means the Agency will look at your disability-related support needs and use the information gathered to decide the funding you need and what it should be spent on.
The support needs assessment process is still a work in progress. The NDIA has committed to co-designing it with the disability community, so keep an eye on the NDIS website for more information.
We’ll keep you updated too, as soon as we know more.
10 years. Time flies!
In 2014 – while working at the National Disability Insurance Agency – our founder, Claire Wittwer-Smith, created the concept of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan management, and brought the service to life.
With a background in special education and disability policy, she saw the newly-launched NDIS had the potential to transform Australia’s disability landscape by supporting people to self-determine their hopes and plans for the future.
With the advent of the Scheme, people with disability had more choice and control over the supports and services they accessed, and the freedom to map their own paths towards the lives of their choosing.
But… the NDIS was also complex, and participants needed support to get to grips with the new world of funding – and what it meant for them.
And so, My Plan Manager was born.
A decade in the game has made us reflect on our journey – and those who’ve been there from the start, as well as those who’ve joined us along the way. As we wrap up our 10th year of service in the NDIS, we want to shine a light on those who’ve made it all possible – our incredible clients and the wider disability community – and thank you for inviting us into your lives.
We hope you enjoy these 10 client stories every bit as much as we do!
Wil’s a ‘soccerholic’ who’s turned sport into a career. He grew up playing basketball and AFL football too, but the sport known as ‘the beautiful game’ was – and is – his ‘number one’.
Wil’s participated in One Culture’s soccer programs for years and, as he grew into the sport and graduated high school, the organisation offered him an assistant coaching position, which he instantly accepted.
Today, Wil helps run school soccer programs, where he helps to coach students from Reception through to Year 6. He likes working with the coaches, his support workers, and the players, and enjoys teaching new skills to the mini-Beckhams who join in each session.
“I’m fortunate that One Culture’s provided this opportunity and I love doing my dream job. I hope to keep working with One Culture and growing in my role,” says Wil.
Wil’s also involved with Adelaide United through a partnership with One Culture.
“I attend training sessions for the men’s and women’s teams and help with coaching there too – setting up drills and helping to run them, chasing balls, joining in, and packing up’” says Wil. “They’ve truly embraced me and made me feel part of the club.”
If all that soccer wasn’t enough, Wil also plays competitively for West Beach Soccer Club, which he describes as a ‘great experience’. He’s social and outgoing, training twice a week, watching other teams play, and having dinner with his teammates. Wil’s a regular at the club that’s become like a second home to him.
“The club is inclusive and I’ve made some great friendships,” he says.
Wil was one of My Plan Manager’s first clients and is a family friend of our founder, Claire Wittwer-Smith, who created the concept of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan management at her kitchen table in 2014, whilst working at the National Disability Insurance Agency.
“At the time, Claire recognised that my husband and I were drowning as a family of four in the face of unforeseen circumstances,” says Wil’s mum, Tracey. “Claire helped us with the NDIS application forms, fast tracked our NDIS interview, helped us at the first interview, and then transitioned us to My Plan Manager. She also connected us with providers and saved us at a time when we were really flailing.”
Tracey says the NDIS has significantly improved Wil’s quality of life.
“I’m not sure what our lives would look like without it, and I recognise how fortunate we are that the NDIS is around now to help Wil,” she says.
“I’ve heard people say that it’s all too hard and it did take time to get things running smoothly, but it was well worth it. What’s evident is Wil’s thriving and happy, and that’s what really counts.”
Finished reading? Check out Jasmine's story here.
A pink cat, an astronaut and a centaur. These are a few of the characters in Hayley’s artwork.
Hayley draws using watercolour pens and her works include creatures and characters that mirror her personality and exist in her world. Her interests are Alice in Wonderland, space, artificial intelligence, and her pet cat Minky – and they’re all creatively reflected in her whimsical pieces.
Clearly gifted in her craft, Hayley attends twice-weekly classes where she practices traditional and digital art and animation at a Brisbane-based inclusive space for people to create, exhibit and sell their artwork.
Art is a creative and therapeutic outlet for Hayley – a medium where she can express who she is and tell stories through her ethereal creations.
“I use art to tell people about who I am without telling them,” she says.
One of Hayley’s works, ‘Hidden Secrets’, saw her named as a finalist in the ‘Outsider Art Awards’, run through Wesley Arts’ Arts from the Margins Gallery and Studios.
Hayley started studying art at TAFE and she hasn’t stopped. She first explored photography, then moved into graphic and visual design, before later exploring the medium of drawing.
Currently interested in animation, Hayley has recently been involved in the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival where her film ‘Space Out’ won an award.
“I like doing short films and I made an animation about a girl and a centaur using paper cut outs,” says Hayley. “I like magical things that are based upon the world I live in.” When she’s not creating art, Hayley likes socialising and playing Nintendo Switch.
“I have support workers day-to-day and we do lots of stuff outside, like going to drawing cafes, parks and exhibitions,” says Hayley.
There’s lots Hayley likes to do, but it usually starts and ends with pursuing her creativity!
Finished reading? Check out Wil's story here.
Joseph and Ben are brothers who are growing their independence, and keeping active with work, therapies, exercise – and having lots of fun!
Their mum Sheryl couldn’t be prouder as she watches them grow up and come into their own as young men.
Joseph has a job doing different tasks at an aged care facility, and he really enjoys it. He plays basketball, does hip hop dancing, and rides his bike to and from work with his support worker.
He also likes singing, playing bass guitar, bowling, going to the library, and watching videos – and he has a passion for dressing as Superman.
“I do like superheroes so much,” says Joseph.
His younger brother Ben works at a hotel three nights a week, does car cleaning and car washes for cash, and likes playing sport and demonstrating his strength through games of tug of war. Like Joseph, he also enjoys singing, playing guitar, and busting out some hip hop moves, and he loves to cook pasta as well.
Recently, Ben got an adorable puppy called Noddy, a lively and energetic new family member who’s brought lots of love to the boys and the wider household.
Ben’s wanted to have his own place and live independently for quite some time now, so he and Sheryl are exploring accommodation options and piecing together what life outside the family home could look like. On the other hand, Joseph would like to live with his mum forever, because he adores her and wants to be close.
Ben and Joseph have several support workers and are working on building their everyday life skills. Therapies are significant in their lives too, helping them to achieve the goals in their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plans.
“Access to the NDIS has made a huge difference,” says Sheryl. “There’s been a few bumps in the road at times, but they’re in a great place now and have providers they know, like and trust.”
It’s clear that Joseph and Ben’s lives are really taking off – maybe Superman has shown them how to fly!
Finished reading? Check out Hayley's story here.
Lori’s situated in sunny Caloundra and lives and breathes positivity. She has a young puppy called Opie, a ‘jumpaholic’ who keeps her active.
Lori likes to watch quiz shows and get out and about whenever she can. In her subtropical beach town, you can almost expect clear blue skies every day, and Lori likes to soak up the sunshine, breathe in the crisp, salty air, listen to the waves crashing, and watch Opie frolic and explore the world.
It’s the simple things that provide Lori with gratitude, and according to her, each day is a gift she’s fortunate to unwrap.
Lori describes her support workers as ‘wonderful’ and says they play a big role in her life, assisting her with vital tasks and supporting her to do the things she enjoys.
“My carers are like sisters who are there to support me whenever I need them, and they’ve kept me sane through the more difficult times,” says Lori.
“They’re all a good fit and we have common interests, and that’s been really good for me.”
Lori’s team of up to 14 support workers works on a roster to assist her with everyday tasks like cleaning, shopping, cooking, and attending medical appointments, and they’re also on hand to make sure she can get out and about to enjoy life.
Lori can’t speak more highly of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which she refers to as her ‘saving grace’, and she’s a big supporter of the team at the National Disability Insurance Agency too.
Lori credits the Agency’s staff and partners with helping her to navigate her NDIS journey, remove roadblocks as they’ve come up, request the funding and supports she needs, and access therapies including physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy, to keep her healthy and active.
Lori’s a spark of positivity with a can-do attitude and a sunny approach to life. She certainly matches the warmth of her surroundings!
