Mainstream services

Everyday services like health, education and housing that work alongside the NDIS.

What it means

Mainstream services are the everyday government services that everyone in the community can use, whether or not they have a disability. This includes things like health care, mental health services, education, housing, public transport and the justice system. These systems have their own responsibilities and continue to serve people with disability just as they serve everyone else.

The NDIS is not designed to replace these services. Instead, it works alongside them. The NDIS funds supports that relate specifically to a person's disability, while mainstream systems keep doing their usual jobs. For example, a hospital still provides medical treatment and a school still provides education, even when the student or patient has a disability.

In practice

When the NDIS considers whether to fund a support, one of the questions it asks is whether that support is really the responsibility of another system. If a support is something the health, education or housing system would normally provide, it is often described as being 'most appropriately funded' by that mainstream service rather than the NDIS.

In practice this means your plan focuses on disability-specific supports, while you continue to access mainstream services in the usual way. It can help to think about which system is the right fit for a particular need. If you are unsure, your support coordinator, local area coordinator or planner can help you work out which door to knock on and how the NDIS and mainstream services fit together for you.

A real example

For example, Priya has a physical disability and needs surgery on her knee. The surgery and her hospital stay are provided through the public health system, because that is a mainstream service everyone can use. Her NDIS plan then funds disability-specific supports, such as help with daily personal care while she recovers at home.

Mainstream services — FAQs

Does the NDIS replace services like health and education?
No. The NDIS works alongside mainstream services rather than replacing them. Health, education, housing, transport and justice systems keep their usual responsibilities for people with disability. The NDIS funds supports that are specifically related to your disability. You continue to use mainstream services in the same way as everyone else in the community.
What does 'most appropriately funded' by another system mean?
It means a particular support is really the responsibility of a mainstream service, not the NDIS. If health, education or another system would normally provide something, the NDIS may decide it is best funded by that system instead. This helps keep each system focused on what it is designed to do, so supports do not overlap or fall through the gaps.
Who decides which system should provide a support?
The NDIS considers whether a support relates to your disability or whether another system should normally provide it. Planners and delegates make this decision when building your plan. If you are unsure, a support coordinator or local area coordinator can help you understand which system is the right fit and how to access it.
Can I get help using mainstream services through my plan?
Sometimes. While the NDIS does not fund the mainstream service itself, supports like support coordination can help you connect with and navigate systems such as health or housing. Your plan can help you build the skills and links you need to use mainstream services confidently, even though those services remain the responsibility of their own systems.
What happens if a support falls between two systems?
Talk to your support coordinator, local area coordinator or planner, who can help work out which system is responsible. Governments have agreements about where responsibilities sit between the NDIS and mainstream services. If you feel a genuine need is not being met, raise it clearly so the right system can be identified and you can be pointed towards the correct support.

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Official NDIS sources

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