Written by the Good Company Disability Services team, disability support providers in Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Reviewed October 2026.
Maybe a GP, a school or a family member just mentioned the NDIS. Now you want to know what it means for you. This guide explains the NDIS meaning in plain English. It covers who can access the scheme, how funding works, and what is changing in 2026 and 2027.
What does NDIS stand for?
NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is the Australian Government’s scheme for funding reasonable and necessary supports for people with permanent and significant disability.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) runs the scheme. Registered and unregistered providers deliver the services. These include organisations like Good Company, as well as support workers, therapists and plan managers.
The word “insurance” matters. The scheme is not a welfare payment. Every Australian is covered.
If you have or acquire a permanent and significant disability before age 65, it funds supports across your lifetime. The goal is to invest early so people build skills and independence.
What is NDIS in simple terms?
In simple terms, the scheme gives each eligible person an individual plan with a budget. You use that budget to pay for the supports you need. The money follows the person, so you choose who supports you, when, and how.
It does not replace mainstream services. Health, education, transport and income support stay with other government systems. The scheme covers the disability-related supports on top of those.
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
To become a participant, you generally need to meet these access requirements:
- Age: under 65 when you apply.
- Residence: live in Australia as a citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
- Disability: have a permanent and significant disability that substantially reduces your ability to do everyday activities, or
- Early intervention: need supports now to reduce your future support needs. Children under 9 with developmental delay use the early childhood approach.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110. You can also speak with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC).
How does the NDIS work? A step-by-step overview
1. Apply for access
You submit an access request with evidence from your treating professionals. The NDIA then decides if you meet the requirements.
2. Planning
Next, you meet with a planner or LAC. You talk about your daily life, your goals and your support needs. This conversation shapes your plan.
3. Your plan and budget
Your plan sets out your funding, usually across three budget types:
- Core supports: everyday help such as self-care, household tasks, consumables and community participation.
- Capacity building supports: help to build skills and independence. Examples include mentoring, employment support, therapy and support coordination.
- Capital supports: assistive technology, plus changes to your home or vehicle.
4. Choose how your plan is managed
- Agency-managed: the NDIA pays providers directly. You can only use registered providers.
- Plan-managed: a plan manager pays invoices for you. You can use registered and unregistered providers.
- Self-managed: you pay providers and claim the money back. You get the most choice and flexibility.
5. Use your plan and review it
You find providers, sign service agreements and start your supports. The NDIS Pricing Schedule caps what providers can charge. See our NDIS price guide 2026 for current rates. Your plan is reassessed over time, or sooner if your needs change significantly.
What can NDIS funding pay for?
Funding covers supports that are “reasonable and necessary”. They must relate to your disability and offer good value. They must also be likely to work, and not better funded by another system. Common examples include:
- Support workers and mentors for daily living and community access
- Social and community participation activities
- Employment support and School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
- Therapies such as occupational therapy, speech pathology and psychology
- Support coordination to help you use your plan
- Assistive technology and home modifications
It won’t pay for everyday living costs like rent, groceries or utilities.
NDIS meaning for families and carers
For families, the scheme means choice and control. You can pick a provider who suits your loved one’s personality and goals. You can change providers if it isn’t working.
Family members, a plan nominee or a support coordinator can help with decisions. Good support should feel consistent: the same person, at regular times, who gets to know you.
What’s changing with the NDIS in 2026 and 2027?
The scheme is going through its biggest reform since launch. From 1 October 2026, social and community participation budgets are being cut by 50%. Capacity building budgets are being cut by 10%. These cuts phase in over 12 months as plans renew.
From April 2027, adults will begin moving to “new framework planning”. A support needs assessment will set a flexible budget. Read our guide to NDIS changes in 2026 to learn how to prepare.
Want to go deeper? Read who is eligible for the NDIS, NDIS funding categories explained and our guide to NDIS capacity building supports.
Frequently asked questions
What does NDIS mean in Australia?
It means the National Disability Insurance Scheme. This national scheme funds individual supports for people with permanent and significant disability.
Is the NDIS means-tested?
No. Funding isn’t based on income or assets. It’s based on your disability-related support needs.
Does the NDIS affect the Disability Support Pension?
No. They are separate. Plan funding isn’t income and doesn’t reduce your pension.
Can I choose my own support worker?
Yes. With a self-managed or plan-managed plan, you can choose any provider, registered or unregistered. Many families choose based on how well a worker matches the participant’s interests.
Get support with Good Company
Good Company Disability Services supports participants across Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. We offer mentoring, self-care, community participation, employment support, SLES and microenterprise.
We match you with a mentor on personality, interests and location. You’ll see every rate in writing before support starts. Get in touch for a relaxed, no-pressure chat.
