The NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme — it is a government-funded program in Australia that provides support and services to people with disabilities to access the supports they need to live more independently, improve daily skills, and connect with their community..

The NDIS funds reasonable and necessary supports that help you achieve your goals — things like: • Personal care and daily living support • Community participation and social activities • Therapy services (OT, physio, speech, psychology etc.) • Assistive technology or mobility aids • Home modifications or transport assistance

To be eligible for the NDIS, you must: • Be under 65 years old at the time of application. • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa and live in Australia. • Have an impairment that is permanent or likely to be permanent. • Have a disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in daily activities, often requiring help from others or assistive technology

An NDIS plan is a personalised document created for each participant of the NDIS. It outlines: • your goals and aspirations, • the supports and services the NDIS will fund, and • any informal or community supports you already use. Your plan is designed to help you achieve greater independence, social participation, and quality of life. It is reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs.

NDIS funding is divided into 3 main categories, each designed to meet different needs and goals: • core support These cover your everyday needs and essential supports. Examples include help with personal care, daily activities, transport to appointments, community access. • capacity building support These services help you learn new skills and build independence. They include therapy (like OT, speech or psychology), social or communication skills training, employment support to manage your plan and daily life. • capital support This funding is for larger or one-off purchases that assist with mobility or independence. Examples include assistive technology (wheelchairs, communication devices), vehicle or home modifications.

A support worker provides practical assistance to help NDIS participants live more independently, confidently, and with greater connection to their community. Joystep's Support workers can assist with: • Personal care – such as showering, dressing, and meal preparation. • Household tasks – including cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping. • Community access – attending appointments, social events, and local activities. Their role is tailored to your NDIS goals and individual needs. At Joystep, our support workers are skilled, caring, and culturally diverse, offering respectful and personalised support that empowers participants to build confidence, stay connected, and achieve meaningful independence.

The support coordination is an NDIS-funded service that helps you understand and make the most of your NDIS plan. Joystep's support coordinator works alongside you to explain your funding, connect you with suitable providers, manage your supports, and coordinate different services so they meet your goals. The aim is to ensure you feel informed, empowered, and in control of your NDIS journey.

Plan Management supports participants by handling the financial and administrative tasks of their NDIS plan. A plan manager can help by: • Processing invoices and paying providers on your behalf • Tracking your budget and providing regular financial statements • Allowing you to use both registered and non-registered providers for greater choice • Reducing paperwork and administrative tasks This allows participants to focus more on their goals and supports while staying informed about how their NDIS funding is used.

NDIS participants can choose how their funding is managed. Each option offers a different level of flexibility and responsibility: • self managed: You manage your own NDIS funds. You choose your providers (registered or unregistered), pay invoices yourself, and claim reimbursements from the NDIS. This gives you the most flexibility and control, but you’re responsible for keeping records and receipts. • agency managed (NDIA managed): The NDIA manages your funding and pays your service providers directly. You can only use NDIS-registered providers, and the NDIA handles all payments and paperwork for you. • plan managed: A plan manager helps you handle the financial side of your NDIS plan. They pay your providers, track your spending, and report to the NDIA.

The plan management is an NDIS-funded service that helps you manage your plan’s budget, payments, and financial reporting. A plan manager works like your NDIS bookkeeper — they pay your providers, track your spending, and make sure your invoices meet NDIS requirements. You’ll receive regular statements showing how your funds are being used. With plan management, you can choose both registered and unregistered providers, giving you greater flexibility and control over your supports — without having to handle the paperwork or claim reimbursements yourself. This option helps you stay organised, compliant, and stress-free while focusing on your goals and wellbeing.

A Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is someone funded by the NDIS to help participants understand and use their plans. They can: • Explain how the NDIS works, • Help you set goals and connect with local services, and • Support you after your plan is approved. LACs are your main contact point with the NDIS if you don’t have a support coordinator.

The Early Childhood Approach supports children under 7 years old who have a developmental delay or disability. Instead of applying directly to the NDIS, families work with an Early Childhood Partner (such as Northcott or Lifestart). These partners assess your child’s needs, provide short-term supports, and connect you with suitable therapies or early intervention services. If your child requires ongoing or long-term support, the partner will help you transition smoothly to a full NDIS plan.

A development delay means a child is slower to reach milestones in areas like movement, communication, or learning compared to children of the same age. The NDIS can help by funding early intervention supports such as: • Speech or occupational therapy, • Play-based learning, • Family coaching and skill-building Early support can make a big difference in a child’s long-term development.

An allied health provider is a qualified professional who delivers therapeutic or assessment services to help you improve your health, independence, and quality of life. Common examples of allied health providers include, but are not limited to: • occupational therapist (OT) – help build independence in everyday tasks such as self-care, home safety, and community participation. • physiotherapist – improve movement, mobility, and physical function. • speech pathologists / speech therapist (SP) – support communication, language, and swallowing difficulties. • psychologist – help with emotional regulation, behaviour, and mental wellbeing. • dietitian – offer nutritional advice and meal planning for better health and weight management. • podiatrist – assess and treat issues related to foot and lower-limb health. • behaviour support practitioner – develop positive behaviour support (PBS) plans to reduce behaviours of concern. • art or music therapist – use creative approaches to support emotional expression and wellbeing. Allied health providers may work independently or as part of an NDIS-registered organisation, and services can be funded under Capacity Building or Improved Daily Living supports in your plan.