Introduction to disability services and the NDIS

Introduction to disability services and the NDIS

If you are an individual with a disability or if you are taking care of someone who has a disability, there might be publicly funded services available to provide you with assistance. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers services to Australians who have a lasting or significant disability. It can also help connect you to support offered by state and territory governments.

The NDIS is a collaborative effort between the Australian Government and the states/territories, replacing existing disability support services previously offered by state and territory governments. The scheme is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), a part of the Australian Government.

This webpage outlines the functioning of the NDIS and where you can find more information.

Who Qualifies for the NDIS? The term ‘disability’ encompasses various meanings. To access NDIS services, certain criteria must be met. To be eligible for NDIS services, you need to:

  • Be aged between 7 and 65 years
  • Be under 7 years old with a disability or developmental delay; this group and their families will receive support through the early childhood approach
  • Reside in Australia with Australian residency
  • Generally require support due to a permanent and significant disability
  • Utilize specialized equipment due to a permanent and significant disability
  • Need some support presently to reduce future requirements

For more details on these requirements and to check your eligibility, you can refer to the NDIS website.

What is the Role of the NDIS? Individuals who fulfill these criteria are referred to as ‘participants’. The NDIS planning process may also involve caregivers and family members as participants.

Each NDIS participant has a personalized plan outlining their goals. These objectives might include making new connections, engaging in volunteer work, or securing employment. The NDIS provides appropriate and necessary funding to help attain these goals.

NDIS participants can independently manage their funds or designate someone else to oversee the support they receive, its timing, and the provider. More information about managing your own funding through your participant plan can be found here. The NDIS website also defines the types of supported services.

Individuals who do not qualify for the NDIS can still receive assistance in accessing community and other government services. Children under the age of 6 who don’t entirely meet the developmental delay criteria and have developmental concerns will receive support through the early childhood approach. The NDIS can provide information and help connect individuals with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers, to community and government services.

Where is the NDIS Available? The NDIS is accessible throughout Australia. To learn about the NDIS in your specific state or territory, visit the NDIS website.

For further details about the functioning of the NDIS and disability services in your state or territory, refer to the relevant page below:

  • Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales
  • Northern Territory
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Victoria
  • Western Australia

If you require assistance in locating and accessing disability services across Australia, you can also visit the National Disability Gateway.

Our Services

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Support Coordination

Our experienced and adaptable support coordinators organise services that participants require with the goal of improving their life quality and increasing their independence.

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Personal Support

At VSS we support participants with their personal care that includes assistance and supervision with everyday personal living chores such as personal hygiene and toileting, showering, dressing, and grooming.

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Social Participation

We offer activities at VSS, and can also connect participants to community centres and social groups such as Yoga, Meditation, English Classes, Parenting workshops, Self-Improvement Programs and more.

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Health and Fitness

As a part of our holistic approach to health and well-being, we promote physical health and fitness. Towards this goal, we provide Exercise and Personal Training services.

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NDIS Personal Support

Allied Health

Our team is made of a range of professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and psychologists who offer therapeutic support.

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Plan Management

VSS experts are experienced in delivering quality services. Our team supports you to get on top of your funds. You can manage your own budget and forget about paperwork stress.

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Home and Accommodation

Home is a location that assists us in meeting our fundamental physiological demands and maintaining our existence. In this regard, home, not only satisfies sheltering needs, but also physiological needs.

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