How does the NDIS work?

The NDIS can seem overwhelming and complex; Alfred Health staff are here to help you along the way. Our social workers and occupational therapists are experienced in supporting eligible patients to access the NDIS and our medical staff can support you with documenting your disability to meet access requirements. If you need the NDIS to support you to discharge from Alfred Health, you will access the hospital discharge pathway. The hospital will work together with the NDIA health liaison officer to ensure you have access to the supports you need at discharge. If you are in the community, you will be connected with your local area coordinator who will help you to access the NDIS.

Remember, the NDIS is for people who are under the age of 65 and have a permanent and significant disability.

Follow the steps below to get started.

1. Register with the NDIS to have your eligibility assessed

Alfred Health staff can help you so the NDIA can determine if you are eligible for funding under the scheme if an application is required during your inpatient stay. (You or your carer will need to give consent for Alfred staff to perform this work). You can work with your treating health professional and general practitioner who can provide you with the relevant supporting evidence.

Visit the NDIS website to to get started.

2. Write a plan

You need to develop a plan so the NDIS staff understand how you will meet your goals.

Your goals will outline the support, care, therapies, equipment or other resources you will need.

It is important to do this planning with family, support people and your health care team as they can help to make sure your plan says everything you need it to.

Your Alfred Health team will support you in preparing for your planning meeting by making sure you have all the information you require. This may include developing written documents about the help you need from the NDIS when you leave hospital or if you are not in hospital, this may include sourcing reports from your health care team. These documents can provide you with additional material that can help support you during the NDIS Planning Meeting.

3. Planning meeting

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the government organisation that runs the NDIS. A meeting will be arranged with a NDIA hospital planner if you are still in hospital or a Local Area Coordinator (LAC), such as the Brotherhood of St Laurence, if you are an outpatient.

In the planning meeting, you need to present the planner with information on what you need in your NDIS plan and a proposed plan for approval. Proposed plans are measured against criteria that is considered reasonable and necessary to live an ordinary life.

If you are still in hospital when your NDIS Planning meeting occurs, it may be helpful to have your Occupational Therapist attend the meeting with you so that you have support from a member of your treating team.

You may also benefit from requesting a Support Coordinator who will be responsible for helping you with implementing your NDIS plan.

You will also be given the option to have your NDIS funds managed by a third party (Plan Management).

Please speak to your Social Worker who can provide further information to you about Support Coordination and Plan Management prior to your NDIS planning meeting.

4. Plan approval and funding

When your plan is approved, you receive your funding and have freedom to choose your own service providers, care and support. You might also be offered a support coordinator and if needed, another person might be asked to help you manage your money (plan manager).