The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched in July 2013 with trial sites, then rolled out across Australia in 2016. Since then, the NDIS has grown in the number of participants and the average payment per participant. By 2029, it’s estimated there will be 860,000 participants in the scheme.
What is NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded scheme in Australia that provides funding to individuals with permanent, significant disability. This scheme focuses on individualised funding, meaning people have a choice over which support services they receive. Eligible individuals can access funding for a wide range of supports, such as assistive technology, personal care, therapies, transportation, and home modifications.
Recipients have an individual plan that lists their goals and the funding received to purchase the needed support and services to help them achieve their goals.
Who is Eligible for NDIS Funding?
To access the NDIS, individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria related to their disability. You must be Australian, aged 7-65 and have a disability caused by a permanent impairment. The permanent impairment may be physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, visual, hearing, or psychosocial. The cause of the impairment is irrelevant. One person may be born with the impairment, and another acquired it through injury, accident, or health condition later in life. Both are eligible if they demonstrate that their impairment will likely be lifelong.
To find out if you’re eligible, you can view the criteria on the NDIS official website.
What Services Does NDIS Cover?
The NDIS provides funding and support to participants for:
- Aids or equipment assessment, set-up and training
- Assistance in obtaining or maintaining employment
- Therapeutic supports
- Assistance with household tasks
- Mobility equipment
- Modifications to homes and vehicles
What is not covered by NDIS?
The NDIS will not fund anything related to daily living costs, such as groceries, rent, and utility bills as these aren’t caused by or result from disability support needs. NDIS funding can’t duplicate support provided under alternative funding. NDIS funding also can’t be used as an income replacement. The NDIS also won’t fund or support anything that is not legal and anything likely to cause harm to a person with a disability or pose a risk to anyone else.
NDIS Services Offered by Altius Group
Altius Group is a registered NDIS service provider. We provide clients with a range of services covered by NDIS funding.
Functional Assessments
Our assessments focus on the participant's goals for the future and provide a baseline of their current functioning across all areas of living. Our allied health professionals assess how well a participant can manage their daily activities and reveal the challenges and gaps to address.
Home Modifications Assessments
An Altius occupational therapist with the skills and experience provides detailed, complex home modification plans. They can suggest and implement modifications to a home to reduce the fear of injury or harm and to improve independence and well-being at home.
Initial Needs Assessment
A needs assessment dives into the participant’s mobility, pain, physiological limitations, and capacity. Altius Group’s occupational therapists and psychologists can develop a tailored plan of therapies and services to enhance the participant's quality of life.
Exercise Physiology
Exercise physiologists at Altius Group complete health and well-being assessments to develop evidence-based, individual programs that focus on life goals. Participants benefit by optimising their function and capacity and empowering them to manage their overall health and well-being.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists provide services to help participants increase their independent functional capacity. This can include home modifications, tailored routines, building skills for independent daily living and community access, and maximising social engagement and communication. Our holistic service can also include assessments and reports to inform NDIS plans.
Speech Therapy
Speech pathology can help participants who have trouble communicating with family and friends. A pathologist can also help with swallowing difficulties, education and access tools to assist communication and relationships.
Psychological Counselling
Our clinical psychologists provide mental health support for participants with depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, PTSD, and adjustment disorders. Participants benefit from a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Metacognitive Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-based interventions, Schema Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). Treatment can help manage relationships, build confidence to socialise more and improve their quality of life.
Physiotherapy
Our physiotherapists can help to loosen stiff joints, relieve tense muscles, correct muscle imbalances, and manage pain through movement. Physiotherapy can improve coordination and mobility, provide advice and home exercises, and recommend equipment and aids to increase function and independence.
We pride ourselves on providing a holistic and quality approach to supporting our NDIS participants. We focus on assisting our clients to meet life goals, maximise function and capacity, and promote independence and community engagement.
Your unique needs are at the heart of our services, ensuring a personalised approach to your care.
Contact us online or call 1800 258 487 for more information.
