FAQ

To confirm your eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you’ll need evidence of your disability. Work with your treating health professionals, who can provide the necessary documentation. Common treating health professionals include:

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Paediatrician
• Orthopaedic surgeon
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Pathologist (Therapist)
• Neurologist
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Physiotherapist

The treating health professional who provides the evidence of your disability should:

• Relevance: Be the most appropriate person to confirm evidence of your primary disability.
• Duration: Have treated you for a significant period, typically at least six months.

Choosing the Right Treating Health Professional:

Refer to the Types of disability evidence information to help decide the most suitable treating health professional for your primary disability. If you encounter challenges gathering the required evidence, Local Area Coordinators (LAC) or early childhood partners are available to assist you.

Understanding the documentation and assessments needed for NDIS eligibility is crucial. Collaborate with your healthcare professionals and support services to ensure a smooth application process.

If your child has a disability, developmental delay, or developmental concerns, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to provide valuable support. Here’s how NDIS can assist your child and your family:

• Goal Achievement: NDIS support can help your child work towards their life goals despite their disability.
• Family Support: The NDIS is not just for individuals; it extends support to families. This includes funding for necessary support services required due to the child’s disability.
• Financial Assistance: The NDIS may fund various forms of support, such as therapeutic and behavioural interventions, additional respite, and essential aids and equipment.
• Caring Role Maintenance: The support provided can assist families and carers in maintaining their crucial roles in caring for the child.
• Community Participation: NDIS support ensures that your child can actively participate in the community, fostering a sense of inclusion and engagement.

Understanding the scope of NDIS support for children is essential. If your child has a disability or developmental concerns, exploring the NDIS can open avenues for comprehensive assistance tailored to their specific needs.

NDIS eligibility is determined by the presence of a disability caused by a permanent impairment. This impairment can take various forms, including but not limited to:

• Intellectual Disability: Conditions affecting cognitive function.
• Cognitive Impairment: Disorders impacting mental processes and comprehension.
• Neurological Conditions: Disorders affecting the nervous system.
• Sensory Impairments: Issues with sight, hearing, or other sensory functions.
• Physical Disabilities: Limitations in mobility or motor functions.
• Psychosocial Impairment: Mental health conditions affecting social and psychological well-being.

Individuals diagnosed with List A medical conditions are likely to meet NDIS disability requirements. These conditions, inherently causing permanent impairment, lead to substantially reduced functional capacity.

Understanding the diverse range of disabilities and conditions covered by the NDIS is crucial for individuals seeking eligibility. If your condition falls within these categories, you may qualify for the support provided by the NDIS.

To ascertain your eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), consider the following criteria:

• Citizenship/Visa Status: You must be an Australian citizen or hold a Permanent or a Special Category visa.
• Age Range: Eligibility is applicable to individuals aged between 9 and 65.
• Disability Criteria: To qualify, you should have a permanent and significant disability.

This straightforward checklist helps you understand the basic requirements for NDIS eligibility. Ensure that you fulfil these criteria to access the support provided by the NDIS. For more information please visit Am I eligible | NDIS

Yes, eligibility criteria may include being a senior citizen, or having a disability, or being a carer of someone with a disability or mental health concern. Individuals from Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds are also eligible. Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals or individuals themselves who believe they would benefit from the support group. To discuss eligibility and obtain more information, interested individuals can contact ADEC directly via phone (03) 9480 7000 or email info@adec.org.au.

The cost of participating in social support groups may vary based on individual circumstances, including  eligibility for My Aged Care Package or specific mental health concerns. Generally, there may be minimal costs associated with participation, depending on the funding sources and support available. It’s advisable to inquire directly about any potential costs and available financial assistance.

Social support groups offer a range of activities tailored to the needs of participants. These may include informative sessions with guest speakers, recreational activities such as memory training activities and art classes, as well as day trip and getaways to places of interest. Additionally, they may provide opportunities for gentle exercise, wellbeing, and gardening sessions, both online and face-to-face, catering to various preferences and needs.

Participating in social support programs offers numerous benefits, including access to information, emotional support, and opportunities for social interaction and engagement. These programs promote empowerment, well-being, and community inclusion, enhancing overall quality of life for participants and their families.

Eligibility for Social Support Groups extends to individuals meeting specific criteria, including senior citizens, those with disabilities, and individuals from ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, carers of persons with disabilities or mental health concerns may also qualify. Referrals can be made by healthcare professionals or individuals themselves who believe they would benefit from the support group.

Social Support Groups encompass a variety of services tailored to individuals with disabilities or senior citizens, particularly those from Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. These services aim to provide essential support, including peer assistance, recreational activities, and access to information, fostering empowerment and community engagement.

ADEC works closely with local networks and councils to identify and understand the needs within the community. This is done through meetings, community projects and 1:1 supports to clients and by taking part in local Expo’s.
Capacity Building Projects enables ADEC to ask questions and collate feedback to enable the successful delivery of services. Through such projects, participants are encouraged and supported to take the lead in facilitation in areas of experience, life skills and confidence. ADEC provides support to the community by empowering them with knowledge, enabling them to connect and educate their families and advocate on issues and barriers identified within their community.

While our primary focus is on CALD communities, some programs and resources may be open to individuals from non-CALD backgrounds. Specific eligibility criteria may apply, and we encourage interested individuals to contact us for more details. Please reach out to us if you are interested in joining our group programs.