National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is Australia’s first national scheme for people with disability, providing funding directly to the individual.
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
If you are aged under 65 years and wish to learn about whether you are eligible to apply for the NDIS visit their website Understanding the NDIS.
As the Peak Body for the NSW Parkinson’s community, we can help you navigate the system so you can obtain funding to live your best life with the support you need.
Freecall: 1800 644 189
Email: pnsw@parkinsonsnsw.org.au
Parkinson's NSW has 40 years of experience in supporting people living with Parkinson's.
How we can help you
Parkinson’s NSW can help you understand what options are available now and in future, support your preparations for entry into the NDIS, then link you with the services you require.
We can provide:
- Informative publications
- Tools to help you plan and prepare for your conversations with NDIS Planners.
- Stories of people like you who are already NDIS participants, so you know what to expect.
- Answers to your questions.
- Support to reapply or appeal when decisions do not go your way.
Our team includes an experienced NDIS Advocate and a dedicated Social Worker who will connect you with the services and supports you need under the NDIS.
Here’s how we can assist:
- Provide you with information about the NDIS, and how it affects you and could support you
- Offer guidance and support to obtain and complete your NDIS Access Request Form
- Help and support you – and your family or carer – as you prepare for your first meeting with an NDIS Planner.
- Offer guidance and support to help you identify potential needs and supports for the next 12 months in order to address these with your NDIS Planner
- Attend your NDIS planning meeting with you (at your request) to provide support and assistance to help ensure a comprehensive and appropriate Plan is developed for you
- Liaise with your NDIS Planner following your planning meeting.
- Connect you with the services and supports approved under your NDIS Plan.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports people under the age of 65, while the Aged Care system is geared towards supporting people over 65.
The purpose of the NDIS is to provide people who have a disability with greater choice, individualised support and the flexibility to manage these supports with the goal of living an ordinary life.
My Aged Care is a web site that is the main entry point to the aged care system in Australia.
My Aged Care aims to make it easier for older people, their families, and carers to access information on ageing and aged care, have their needs assessed, and be supported to find and access services.
Both the NDIS and Aged Care system support people living with Parkinson’s.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is the new way of providing individualised support for eligible people with permanent and significant disability, their families and carers.
Visit the NDIS website www.ndis.gov.au
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent statutory agency responsible for implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It maintains the NDIS web site and provides information, makes referrals, links people with services and undertakes community engagement to help people understand the NDIS and NDIA.
You can confirm whether you are eligible by using the checklist on the NDIS web site.
Visit the NDIS website to check if you are eligible to apply for the NDIS www.ndis.gov.au
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, call the Parkinson’s NSW NDIS Advocate. She will guide you through the complexities of the NDIS application process and provide easy-to-use tools that will make the journey easier.
There is also useful information on the application process on the NDIS web site www.ndis.gov.au
Regardless of how you initiate your request, during the application process you will be required to fill out an Access Request Form. That process is also explained on the NDIS web site.
If you are found eligible for the NDIS you will need to meet with a Support Planner. The planner will work with you and discuss your goals and aspirations and the supports required to achieve them.
An NDIS Plan is a document that outlines your needs, goals, aspirations and disability supports required – including the funding to help you achieve those goals and live an ordinary life.
Your first Plan is the start of a lifelong relationship with the NDIS; as your life changes so will your Plan. Everyone in the NDIS has their own unique Plan. Over time, you will move from one Plan to another – your Plans will change as your needs change.
Your first Plan is the key to gaining entrance to the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is designed to ensure you, as a NDIS participant, remain at the centre of the planning process.
Your first NDIS Plan will provide the supports and assistance you need now, including any additional supports for your unmet needs and your goals.
When preparing for your first Plan, you should think about:
- What support you have and what activities you do now
- Whether these are meeting your needs and support the things you want to achieve in future
- What is important to you
- How all these things will be reflected in your Plan
Parkinson’s NSW can provide you with support through the planning process, and then connect you with the services you require.
Make a free call to Parkinson’s NSW and ask for the NDIS Advocate: 1800 644 189
An NDIS package is the actual funding you receive under the Scheme. It is important to note that under the NDIS, the dollars are not the starting point – your individual needs and goals are.
For assistance with planning and connecting to the services you require make a free call to Parkinson’s NSW and ask for the Support Advocate: 1800 644 189
The NDIS funds supports and services that should enable you to have the same things in life as other people who are not living with Parkinson’s – like somewhere safe and accessible to live, a job, hobbies, access to health and wellbeing support, and the company of family and friends.
Under the NDIS supports fall into three categories:
Core: A support that enables a participant to complete activities of daily living.
Capital: A support that enables an investment – such as assistive technologies, equipment, and home or vehicle modifications.
Capacity-building: A support that enables a participant to build their independence and skills.
As an example of how these categories work and interact, if someone needs help showering:
Core– Could provide a Support Worker to assist with showering
Capital – Could provide modifications (like a handrail) to the shower to make it more accessible
Capacity Building – A support worker or program could teach the person skills and techniques to improve their showering or hygiene.
Parkinson’s NSW can connect you with services in the capacity-building category to support your health and wellbeing, and enable and maintain your independence and participation in the community.
For assistance with planning and connecting to the services you require. Make a free call to the Parkinson’s NSW InfoLine and ask for the Support Coordinator: 1800 644 189
No. If you received an NDIS package prior to turning 65 you will not lose it. You can choose to continue to receive supports from the NDIS.
We will help you understand what options are available now and in future, support your preparations for entry into the NDIS, then link you with the services you require.
Make a free call to Parkinson’s NSW and ask for the Support Coordinator: 1800 644 189
Parkinson's NSW has well established
Relationships with Primary and Allied Health providers
Community networks across NSW
Networks of independent service providers we have vetted and confirmed as suitable for people living with Parkinson’s.
