Mainstream & Community Supports
Many supports people rely on are provided outside the NDIS through mainstream government services and community organisations. Because of this, the NDIS can’t fund supports that are the responsibility of another system. This guide explains how the boundary between supports works, why it matters for planning, and how participants can be supported to connect with the right services.
Setting Goals for Your NDIS Plan
Goals are a required part of NDIS planning because they describe what a participant wants to work towards in their life. However, goals are not a direct shortcut to funding. This guide explains how goals are recorded, and how participants can prepare goals that are clear, personal, and useful in planning conversations.
Work & Study on the NDIS
The NDIS may fund some supports for work and study when they are disability-related, meet the NDIS funding criteria, and are not the responsibility of mainstream systems like schools, universities, or employers. This article explains what that means in practice, including common inclusions (and exclusions), how to build goals into a plan, and what to do if needs change.
Early Connections: Supporting Children Under 9 & Their Families
Early Connections are part of the NDIS Early Childhood Approach and can support children under 9 and their families whether or not the child becomes an NDIS participant. This article explains what Early Connections are, how to access them through early childhood partners, what information and supports may be provided, and what happens next.
Understanding Reasonable & Necessary Supports
All funded NDIS supports must meet the “reasonable and necessary” criteria and must be an “NDIS support” under updated laws. This article explains what each criterion means in practice, why some supports aren’t funded even when recommended, how the NDIA considers mainstream and informal supports, and what options exist if a participant disagrees with a funding decision.
Principles the NDIA Follows Creating Plans
NDIS plans are built using legislated rules and a set of planning principles intended to support fairness, consistency, and financial sustainability. This article explains what those principles are, how the NDIA applies “reasonable and necessary” criteria, and what supports can and can’t be funded.