NDIS Terms and Definitions

Common words and phrases used by the NDIS

NDIS - National Disability Insurance Scheme

NDIA – National Disability Insurance Agency

LAC - Local Area Coordinators

DSP – Disability Support Pension

ECEI – Early Childhood Early Intervention

SA – Service Agreement

NAT – National Access Team

ARF – Access Request Form

AT: Assistive Technology

ILO - Independent Living Options

FPDN: First Peoples Disability Network

SIL: Supported Independent Living

SDA: Specialist Disability Accommodation

STA: Short-Term Accommodation (Respite)

SLES: School Leaver Employment Supports

OT – Occupational Therapist

SLES - School Leaver Employment Supports

DES - Disability Employment Services

ADE - Australian Disability Enterprise

Definitions

NDIS

The NDIS provides and pays for services and support to people with a disability.

NDIA

The NDIA is a part of the Australian Government. It was set up according to the law. The law that applies is called the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.

Local Area Coordinators

Local Area Coordinators are people who will help you learn about support available in your local community.

Support Coordinators

Support Coordinators are people who help a participant to understand and use NDIS funded supports in their plan to work towards reaching their goal.

Participants

Participants are people with disability who take part in the NDIS.

Provider

A provider is someone who runs a service or has things to sell to people getting an NDIS package. People can choose the provider they want to use and change provider if they are not happy. The NDIS has a list of Registered providers.

Carer

Someone who provides personal care and support to a person with disability.

Advocate

Someone who can be either an individual or part of an organisation, who may act or speak on your behalf if you have given them permission to do so. They can offer independent support to those who feel they are not being heard or may not be able to articulate their wants and needs.

Reasonable/Necessary

Reasonable means something fair, and necessary means something you must have. The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports relating to a person’s disability to help them live their lives more independently and pursue their goals.

Unregistered and Registered Providers

The NDIS asks service providers to register with them because only registered providers can claim their invoices with the NDIS directly. But not all providers choose to do so and there are some great unregistered providers, which you only have access to if you self-manage your funds or have a Plan Manager like us.

Service Agreement

Service agreement is a document that explains what supports a provider will give you and how you will pay them.

Plan Review

A NDIS participant’s plan will generally be reviewed after 12 months. At this time the NDIA will contact the participant to check if their supports are working well and if they are making progress towards their goals. A person can also request a review of their plan at any time if their situation has changed or if they are not happy with what is in their plan.

Notice Period

A period before a Service Agreement ends. This may be one month or more.

Price Guide

A document which outlines the support items for which price controls currently apply and their price, which are funded by the NDIS.

Early Childhood Partner

Early Childhood Partner is for families and carers of children younger than 7.

ECEI - Early Childhood Early Intervention

The Early Childhood Early Intervention program helps families with children aged 0 - 6 with assistance, advice and access to the supports in your local community.

SLES - School Leaver Employment Supports

A SLES is an NDIS support available to students leaving secondary school that helps them on a pathway to employment.

DSP - Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension is a payment from the government to help with your day-to-day living costs.

DES - Disability Employment Services

DES are funded by the Government to help people with disability fund and keep a job.

ADEs - Australian Disability Enterprises

ADEs are not-for-profit organisations. They offer a wide range of occupations and training in industries. ADEs can provide ongoing employment, or they can act as a stepping stone, enabling people with disability to gain the skills and confidence they need to try other forms of employment.

Partners in the Community

Partners in the Community are community organisations that the NDIS work with.

First Peoples Disability Network

A national organisation that advocates for the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability. FPDN is governed by First Peoples with lived experience of disability with the aim to provide a voice to the needs and concerns of First Peoples with disability.