Need info about NDIS eligibility? Preparing for your first NDIS Plan? 

Leap in! is Australia’s leading plan manager. We support thousands of Australians to navigate the NDIS and get the most from their NDIS Plans.

We know the NDIS can seem a bit overwhelming at first. That’s what we’re here for! Chat with our experienced Crew online or call us on 1300 05 78 78.

We are here to help.

Leap in! specialises in supporting people with disability at each step of the NDIS process.

  • Just getting started? We can answer all your questions and provide clear information.
  • Preparing for your first plan? Book a free pre-planning meeting to help you for confident and prepared.
  • Have a plan with plan management? We’ll take care of paying providers, help you track budgets and get the most out of your plan.

The steps in the NDIS process.

  1. Check your eligibility. Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. They will connect you with an NDIS partner who can help you apply.
  2. The NDIS will assess your application and let you know if you’ve been approved as a participant.
  3. Create your plan. Meet with an NDIS Planner to talk about your goals, supports and what you need. This is when you need to ask for plan management.
  4. Receive your plan by mail or via the NDIS myplace portal
  5. Implement your plan by engaging providers who can deliver the supports and services you need
  6. Review your plan.

Do you need assistance with applying for funding through the NDIS? We have developed a FREE ebook – Accessing the NDIS: A guide to eligibility and how to apply. Read and download the ebook here.

Woman sitting on a lounge with a laptop on her lap, a notebook and headphones.
Woman sitting on a lounge with a laptop on her lap, a notebook and headphones.

Leap in! Presents webinars.

Leap in! Presents is a free webinar series designed and presented by the Leap in! Crew.

Our goal with these sessions is to provide useful insights and practice tips so you can navigate the NDIS with confidence and get the most from your plan and budgets.

Hosted by Leap in! Learning and Development Specialist Dee Thomson, each webinar is clear and easy to follow. With over a decade of experience, Dee makes complex topics simple and accessible.

Get your FREE guide to accessing the NDIS.

This ebook includes everything you need to know about the NDIS, like eligibility and how to apply.

We’ve drawn on our experience with the NDIS and suggestions from people who have been through the process themselves.
Find out:

  • What is the NDIS and how it works
  • NDIS eligibility and access criteria
  • How to apply for the NDIS
  • Accessing the NDIS if you have a mental health condition
  • How to access support for children under 7
  • What happens once your accepted
  • How can Leap in! help?

PLUS get the top NDIS access FAQs and much more!


By submitting this contact form you will be added to our regular email newsletter mailing list. You can opt out at any time. Your personal information is only accessed by persons authorised to do so. Your personal information is dealt with in accordance with our privacy policy.

Useful information if you’re just getting started.

FAQs about the NDIS.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent agency whose role is to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

To access the NDIS, you need to meet both the eligibility and disability requirements. The eligibility requirements are:

  1. You are aged between 9 and 65. Children aged younger than 9 and their families can be supported through the early childhood approach.
  2. You live in Australia, are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a permanent visa or special category visa (SCV). New Zealanders living in Australia are only eligible for the NDIS if they are an Australian resident or SCV holder.
  3. You meet the disability requirements or early intervention requirements or both. Eligibility is focused on how a disability affects your ability to actively participate in work and society.

 

To meet the disability requirements, the NDIS needs evidence of all of the following:

  • Your disability is caused by an impairment
  • The impairment is likely to be permanent (likely to be lifelong)
  • Your permanent impairment substantially reduces your functional capacity to undertake one of or more of the following activities: moving around, communicating, socialising, learning or undertaking self-care or self-management tasks
  • Your permanent impairment affects your ability to work, study or take part in social life
  • You’ll likely require an NDIS Support under the NDIS for your whole life.

You may be eligible for the NDIS if you are aged between 7 and 65. Once you turn 65 you can choose to remain with the NDIS or transition to the aged care system.

The early childhood approach is designed to support children under 6 with developmental delay or children under 9 with disability and their families. If you are concerned about your child’s development or have a child aged younger than 9 with disability, you can contact an early childhood partner. No referral or diagnosis is necessary.

The early childhood partner can provide connection to early supports and other services in the community. They can also help you apply for the NDIS if needed.

No Assistance from the NDIS is not means tested, which means the value of your assets isn’t taken into account when determining eligibility. NDIS funding does not impact income support such as the Disability Support Pension or Carer Allowance.

Funding under the NDIS is individualised, based on goals and outcomes. From 3 October 2024, the NDIS will only fund supports related to the impairments that led to your acceptance onto the scheme. This means you can only spend money in your NDIS plan on supports that relate to the impairment identified during your initial access request. Your plan is developed at a planning meeting and can be reviewed as your goals change.

On its own, ADHD is not usually covered by the NDIS because it can be hard to meet the NDIS eligibility criteria.

Not all supports come from your NDIS Plan. Foundation, community and mainstream supports can also play a key role in your wellbeing and inclusion. The NDIS encourages you to access these alongside your funded plan. 

  • Foundational supports: New non-NDIS supports for people with disability, including those not eligible for the NDIS.
  • Community supports: Activities, programs and services provided by local clubs, groups and organisations that are open to everyone. 
  • Mainstream supports: Services provided by government or other organisations that are available to the general public such as health and education.

No. Any unspent funds in your NDIS Plan don’t roll over when your plan ends. It’s important to use your funding effectively to achieve your goals.

External complaints bodies.

 

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Postal address: NDIS Commission Feedback, PO Box 210, Penrith NSW 2750

Phone: 1800 035 544 or TTY 133 677

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Web: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/participants/complaints

 

National Disability Insurance Agency 

Postal Address: GOP Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601

Phone: 1800 800 110

Email: feedback@ndis.gov.au

 

Commonwealth Ombudsman 

Postal Address: GPO Box 442, Canberra ACT 2601

Complaints hotline: 1300 362 072

Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au

Web: http://ombudsman.gov.au

 

So, what is plan management?

Plan management is one of the options you have for managing the money in your NDIS Plan.

Plan management gives you full choice and control over how you use your NDIS funds but with the support of a “plan manager” who helps you manage your budgets and pays your provider invoices.

Think of it like your own NDIS-funded bookkeeper or accountant with a support team attached.

Female Leap in! team member smiling and wearing a telephone headset
Female Leap in! team member smiling and wearing a telephone headset

Preparing for your first NDIS Plan? Get a free pre-planning session.

Preparing for your first NDIS Plan Meeting can be daunting. We can help get you started with a free pre-planning session.

If your access to the NDIS has been approved but you don’t yet have your first plan, this session is for you! Each session is customised to your circumstances. We discuss things such as:

  • What questions you need to ask yourself
  • How to prepare your records
  • The role of a support person
  • Tips for getting the rights supports for your needs
  • How to make the most of the pre-planning tools on the Leap in! app.

To book your free pre-planning session, send us an enquiry, call us on 1300 05 78 78 or email crew@leapin.com.au to arrange a time.