NDIS guides, articles & resources

Expert articles on NDIS plans, providers, housing and supports — written for participants and families.

Latest articles

Social and community participation funding — NDIS community participation funding helps people with disability join social, recreational, and civic life. This guide explains what is…
How reforms affect children on the NDIS — The 2024-25 NDIS reforms have introduced significant changes for children, including the new Thriving Kids program, revised access pathways,…
How SIL funding is calculated — Supported Independent Living funding is highly individualised and calculated based on your assessed support needs, living arrangement, and…
NDIS psychology: what's covered — Psychology services can be funded through your NDIS plan when they are linked to your disability, but the rules about what is covered, which…
What records do self-managers need to keep? — Self-managing your NDIS plan gives you maximum flexibility, but it also comes with real record-keeping obligations. This guide covers…
Can I use NDIS funds for a smartwatch or tablet? — NDIS funding can cover a smartwatch or tablet, but only when it meets specific reasonable and necessary criteria tied to your disability.…
What is 'reasonable and necessary'? — Reasonable and necessary is the legal test the NDIS uses to decide whether a support can be funded in your plan. Understanding what it means…
NDIS early childhood approach (under 9) explained — The NDIS early childhood approach provides early intervention supports for children under 9 with developmental concerns or disability,…
NDIS plan management decision guide — Choosing how to manage your NDIS funding is one of the most important plan management decisions you will make, affecting which providers you…
Registered vs unregistered providers (for businesses) — Choosing between registered and unregistered NDIS provider status is one of the most consequential decisions a disability support business…
Do you need a Cert III to be a support worker? — A Cert III in Individual Support (Disability) is not always legally required to work as a support worker in Australia, but it is…
NDIS support for ADHD: a complete guide — Getting NDIS support for ADHD requires meeting specific eligibility criteria and demonstrating functional impact, not just a diagnosis. This…
Assistance with daily life explained — Assistance with Daily Life is the largest NDIS support category for most participants. This guide explains what it covers, how to use it…
What is the 'robo-planning' concern? — The robo-planning concern refers to fears that NDIS plans are being generated by automated systems without proper individual assessment.…
What are Individualised Living Options (ILO)? — Individualised Living Options give NDIS participants a creative, person-centred way to design where and how they live. This guide explains…
What does a speech therapist do (NDIS)? — NDIS speech pathology covers far more than helping children learn to talk. This guide explains what speech therapists do, who can access…
Pros and cons of self-managing the NDIS — Self-managing your NDIS plan gives you maximum flexibility over how you spend your funding and who you hire, but it also comes with real…
Can I use NDIS funds for holidays? — Using NDIS funds for holidays is possible in some circumstances, but strict rules apply about what is and is not covered. This guide…
NDIS goals for autism — Writing effective NDIS goals for autism means connecting what matters in daily life to the specific supports the NDIS funds. This guide…
Preparing for your first NDIS planning meeting — Your first NDIS planning meeting sets the foundation for your entire plan, so going in prepared makes a real difference to what you come out…
How to estimate your NDIS budget — Working out how much your NDIS plan might be worth before your planning meeting can reduce surprises and help you ask for the right…
How to register as an NDIS provider — NDIS provider registration gives your organisation access to a wider range of participants and signals that you meet the quality and safety…
Disability support worker qualifications explained — Support worker qualifications in Australia range from short induction certificates to formal diploma-level training, and knowing what is…
NDIS support for Autism: a complete guide — Autistic Australians can access NDIS funding for therapies, daily support, community participation, and specialist services — but knowing…
What are NDIS core supports? — NDIS core supports are the most flexible part of your NDIS plan, covering everyday help with personal care, community participation, and…
NDIS Navigators replacing support coordinators — NDIS Navigators are replacing support coordinators as part of the 2026 NDIS reforms, bringing a new model for helping participants…
SDA design categories explained — Specialist Disability Accommodation comes in four design categories, each suited to different support needs and living arrangements. This…
What does an OT do under the NDIS? — Occupational therapists play a central role in the NDIS, from writing assessment reports that unlock funding to delivering therapy that…
How to switch plan managers — Changing your NDIS plan manager is your right as a participant, and the process is simpler than most people expect. This guide covers when…
Can I use NDIS funds for a gym membership? — NDIS funding for a gym membership is possible in some circumstances, but it is not automatic. This guide explains the rules, what evidence…
NDIS goals for intellectual disability — Setting NDIS goals for intellectual disability can feel overwhelming, but the right goals unlock the right supports. This guide explains how…
NDIS access request form explained — The NDIS access request form is the official starting point for joining the NDIS. Understanding what it asks, what evidence to attach, and…
Free NDIS Tools & Calculators: How to Use Them — Free NDIS tools and calculators take the guesswork out of budgeting, provider selection, and planning meetings. This guide explains every…
Becoming & Growing an NDIS Provider: The Guide — A complete plain-English guide for Australians who want to know how to become an NDIS provider, covering registration, compliance, audit,…
Working in Disability Support: Careers Guide — A complete guide to disability support jobs in Australia, covering how to get started, qualifications, pay rates under the SCHADS Award,…
NDIS Support by Condition: A–Z Index — A plain-English guide to how the NDIS supports people across every major disability category and condition, from autism and cerebral palsy…
NDIS Core Supports & Daily Living: Full Guide — NDIS Core Supports fund the everyday assistance Australians with disability need to live, participate, and connect with their communities.…
SIL mandatory registration 2026: what it means — From 2026, providers delivering Supported Independent Living must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This guide…
What participants should do to prepare for reforms — The NDIS is undergoing significant reforms through 2026 and 2027, and participants who understand what is changing will be far better placed…
What evidence do you need for SDA? — Specialist Disability Accommodation is one of the hardest NDIS supports to access, and the quality of your evidence makes or breaks the…
How to budget your NDIS plan to last 12 months — Running out of NDIS funding before your plan ends is more common than you might think. This guide walks through practical steps to make NDIS…
New NDIS support lists explained — The NDIS has introduced new support lists that define what the scheme will and will not fund. This plain-English guide explains the lists,…
How to find a SIL vacancy or housemate — Finding a Supported Independent Living vacancy or a compatible housemate is one of the biggest challenges in NDIS housing. Here is a…
How to ask for more funding in your NDIS plan — Many NDIS participants are underfunded but do not know how to ask for a change. This guide explains the practical steps to request more NDIS…
How to find verified NDIS providers (without the overwhelm) — Searching for NDIS providers can feel like a full-time job. This guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step approach to finding…
Federal Budget 2026 and the NDIS — The 2026 federal budget brought significant changes to NDIS funding and eligibility. Here is what participants, families, and providers need…
Moving out of home with the NDIS (young adults) — Moving out of the family home is a big step for any young person. For young adults with disability, the NDIS can fund supports that make…
How to find a good support coordinator — A great support coordinator can transform your NDIS experience. This guide explains how to find support coordinator options that suit your…
What happens if I overspend my NDIS budget? — Going over your NDIS budget can feel alarming. Understanding what happens when you overspend your NDIS budget, and how to prevent it, helps…
Evidence to bring to a plan reassessment — A plan reassessment is your opportunity to make sure your NDIS funding reflects your current needs. Knowing what NDIS reassessment evidence…
List of conditions likely to meet NDIS criteria — Not every diagnosis automatically qualifies you for the NDIS. This guide explains which conditions are most likely to meet the criteria,…
Foundational Supports explained — Foundational Supports are a new tier of disability support being introduced by Australian governments as part of the 2026-2027 NDIS reforms.…
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)? — Supported Independent Living (SIL) is NDIS funding that pays for hands-on support for people with high support needs who live in shared or…
What is a support coordinator and do I need one? — A support coordinator helps NDIS participants understand and implement their plans, connect with providers, and build the skills to manage…
NDIS support worker rates 2026 (by state) — NDIS support worker rates are set by the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and are updated each financial year. This guide covers the 2026 rates by…
How to dispute or appeal an NDIS decision (ART) — If you disagree with an NDIS decision about your plan, funding, or eligibility, you have the right to challenge it. This guide explains the…
What to do if your NDIS application is rejected — Having your NDIS application rejected is distressing, but it is not necessarily the end of the road. There are formal review processes, and…
Thriving Kids: what it means for your child — The Thriving Kids NDIS initiative changes how children under 9 access early intervention supports, introducing a new pathway that separates…
What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)? — Specialist Disability Accommodation is NDIS-funded housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support…
Assistive technology (AT) under the NDIS — NDIS assistive technology funding can cover everything from shower chairs to complex communication devices, but navigating the evidence…