The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provides funding for supports to help eligible Australians with disability live more independently, participate in the community, build skills, and achieve goals like getting a job. Benefits include funding for daily personal care, household help, transport, therapeutic supports (like physio or speech therapy), assistive technology (wheelchairs, home modifications), and support to find and keep employment, all tailored to individual needs.
What services or supports can be delivered under the NDIS?
Note: Under the laws of the NDIS, we also cannot fund sexual services and sex work, alcohol or drugs. Rent, rental bonds, home and property deposits, stamp duty, mortgage repayments, and strata fees. Purchase of land, or house and land packages.
No, the NDIS generally does not pay for rent as it's a day-to-day living cost, but it can fund disability-related housing supports, like home modifications or Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and help you live more independently, with participants usually paying a Reasonable Rent Contribution (RRC) in SDA. For regular housing, your rent comes from your income (like the Disability Support Pension), while the NDIS covers supports within that housing.
The NDIS can fund iPads, tablets, or other smart devices if they are considered “reasonable and necessary” for your disability-related needs. An iPad might be approved if it: Improves communication for someone with speech difficulties. Supports education or skill-building for participants with learning challenges.
The NDIS is not designed to fund items such as an iPad or Apple watch. However, should a participant know that they are able to communicate with their loved ones or a worker by using an iPad – rather than a specialist and more costly piece of equipment – then they can request the Agency to fund this.
The NDIS 90-day rule refers to new timeframes for participants and providers: participants get 90 days to respond to reassessment requests, replacing the old 28-day limit, while providers must generally submit claims within 90 days of service delivery, though this has recently extended to two years for some claims under new legislation. It also relates to ensuring timely use of funds during hospital-to-home transitions, as non-usage might trigger plan reviews, and a 90-day window for participants to cancel leaving the NDIS.
Yes, the NDIS can help with housing by funding supports for independent living, such as home modifications, assistive technology, and support workers, and in specific, rare cases for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for those with extreme needs, though it generally doesn't cover rent or daily living costs like utilities. Support is provided through your NDIS plan to help you find suitable housing and develop skills to live more independently.
With a $1,000 weekly income, you can generally afford $300 per week in rent, based on the common guideline of spending no more than 30% of your gross income on housing, though some may aim lower (25%) for more savings, especially in high-cost areas. Your specific situation (take-home pay, debt, location) might require adjusting this, so consider a lower percentage if you have big savings goals or live in a pricey city.
The highest priority for council housing goes to people in urgent, critical situations, like those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, escaping domestic/family violence, or with severe health/disability needs aggravated by their current housing, needing urgent relocation for safety, severe overcrowding, or to reunite children in care with family. Priority is based on "greatest need," assessed through documentation like medical reports, police records, or agency letters showing critical living conditions.
Although the challenges individuals with disabilities face are unique and idiosyncratic, there are generally four main categories of disabilities – physical, behavioral, developmental, and sensory.
NDIS won't fund for:
Here are the limits: You can have up to $2,000 in savings and assets if you're single. You can have up to $3,000 if you're married. Certain things don't count as assets, like your home (if you live in it) or one car.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) if you're under 16 – check if you can get DLA. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you're 16 or over and haven't reached State Pension age – check if you can get PIP. Attendance Allowance if you've reached State Pension age – check if you can get Attendance Allowance.
NDIS participants are responsible for day-to-day living costs including rent, groceries, utilities, telephone or internet costs. This is the same for general household items such as a bed, fridge or cooking utensils.
The majority of IDEA appropriations are allocated to states by formula to carry out activities under Part B, which covers 14 disability categories: (1) autism, (2) deaf-blindness, (3) deafness, (4) emotional disturbance, (5) hearing impairment, (6) intellectual disability, (7) multiple disabilities, (8) orthopedic ...
Centrelink's Rent Assistance (RA) provides up to $215.40 per fortnight for a single person and $203.00 per fortnight for a couple, paid at 75 cents for every dollar of rent above a minimum threshold, varying by family situation and number of children, with rates updated twice yearly in March and September. The exact amount depends on your specific circumstances (e.g., single, partnered, sharing) and how much you pay in rent, with higher rent leading to higher assistance up to the maximum.
For example, for £1000 a month, you could get approximately £225,000 on a 4.09% rate over a 35 year term, but this reduces to approximately £190,000 over 25 years.
Living comfortably in Australia varies greatly depending on factors such as location, lifestyle and personal preferences. As a general guide, a single person living outside of a major city would need an annual income of $70 - $80k per annum or $5,800+ per month. Of course this total increases for couples and families.
Cons of NDIS Property Investment
3.5% down payment options
You can buy a $300,000 house with just a $10,500 down payment using an FHA loan. These loans are easier to qualify for than conventional loans, especially if your credit score is lower.
Using this free income calculator, the approximate income you need to buy a $500,000 home, assuming you need a $400,000 loan, is $77,000 gross per year, excluding superannuation.
An NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC) is valid for 5 years and can be used across Australia with any NDIS employer and in any NDIS role. You do not have to reapply if you move interstate or change employers or roles.
As the cost of a holiday may not be reasonable and necessary, you generally cannot fund it under the NDIS. You can, however, use your Core budgets to pay for a support worker to accompany you. This funding only covers the support worker's services, not their travel or accommodation costs.
iPads and computers are generally (not always - see below) not funded by the NDIS. This is because they are considered a general household appliance - not a disability-related product - since most Australian homes have them, and they are used by most of the community.