What is the NDIS? 

Call MS Connect on 1800 042 138

The NDIS will provide support and services for people living with disability. People will be able to buy services with their individualised funding, to support their social and economic participation and help meet their goals. It is expected to support 460,000 Australians living with a disability when it's fully rolled out.

The NDIS will:

• be a single national system
• integrate with other sectors such as health, aged care, education and housing
• be administered by a Commonwealth statutory authority, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
• have no impact on the Disability Support Pension and is not a means-tested entitlement
• double the financial resources committed to disability
• substantially increase the disability workforce
• meet many unmet needs, such as equipment, home modifications, coordination and respite
• provide the individual with purchasing power, and choice and control

The NDIS has bipartisan support, so all governments are working together to ensure its success.

The NDIS is partially funded by an increase to the Medicare levy, which means that all of society is contributing toward the funds needed to run the scheme.

The National Disability Insurance Agency has lots of good information about how the NDIS works — see www.ndis.gov.au

What is different for you?

• Instead of you having to fit into the programs and services an organisation offers, you can make choices and decisions about the services and support that best fit your goals
• You have more control — you have a say in your providers and the services you need to help you meet your personal goals
• You are a customer with individual funds to purchase supports and services — not a client, who is advised about what they need
• You’ll need to make lots of decisions, and consider what you value in a provider
• Services are not rationed, and supports are based on your goals and the support you need to achieve those goals across your lifetime

What is different for providers of support (such as MS organisations)?

• People living with multiple sclerosis will get to choose if they want to purchase services from us
• Currently, block funding is received from state government, in advance to deliver the programs. This will shift to payment for individual services, after the service has been provided
• We will have to be customer-focused, responsive and provide value for money