Definitions & Commonly Used Terms Around The NDIS

We've put together a list of definitions and commonly used terms around the NDIS.

Accessible - a place that can be accessed, entered, used and reached by all individuals, including those living with disability. For example this can mean through the use of lifts, ramps or chair lifts.

Advocacy - a person or organisation that acts, speaks or promotes the voice of an individual living with disability and supports and protects their human rights.

Agency Managed - choosing to have NDIS funds Agency Managed means that the NDIA will pay service providers on behalf of the participant.

Assistive Technology - a product or device that is adaptive, assistive or rehabilitative for people living with disability that can help maintain, increase or improve skills and abilities.

Capacity Building Support - these are supports that help to maintain independence and build skills. They are in addition to Core Supports.

Capital Support - funding for assistive technology, home or vehicle modifications or aids and equipment to allow independence or ease of support for those living with disability.

Core Support - funding for supports that enable NDIS participants to complete activities of daily life and enable participants to work towards their goals and meet objectives. These can include transport, community activities and assistance with household tasks.

Early Childhood Early Intervention - supports available under NDIS for children under the age of 8 to help reduce the effects of disability, improve their skills and limit the need for assistance later in life.

Formal Support - a paid support for activities such as community access, social support, personal care or meal preparation. Paid support workers can be found through the Careseekers platform.

Funding - supports paid for under the NDIS. These will be documented in individual plans and must meet needs and goals of the participant.

Informal Support - assistance that is received from family, friends and social networks with activities that include social support, cooking, shopping, help getting to appointments. These supports are unpaid.

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) - the independent Government agency that looks after the funding and coordination of the NDIS.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - the government run program that helps to support people living with disability or early intervention needs to meet their needs, reach personal goals, participate in the community and increase independence.

Participant - an individual who has been approved to receive supports through the NDIS.

Plan - a document detailing the individual needs and goals of a participant and the types of supports that will be funded under the NDIS in order to meet these goals.

Provider - a person or organisation that delivers products or services to people living with disability.

Registered Provider - a person or organisation that has registered with the NDIS and meets certain criteria to provide a product or service to participants of the NDIS.

Respite - a break from usual living or caring environments for the participant. This could be at a day centre, within the community, at someone else's home or in home support.

Self managed Funding - one of the funding options available where supports and payments to providers are managed by the participant.

Service Agreement - a contract between the participant and the provider detailing the types of services and supports that will be delivered.

Sources: NDIS Disability Support Guide