A
AAT
Administrative Appeals Tribunal. An independent body where you can appeal NDIA decisions about your plan or access to the NDIS.
Access Request
The formal application you submit to become an NDIS participant. You must meet age, residency, and disability requirements.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Equipment or devices that help you perform daily tasks, communicate, or move around. Examples include wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication devices.
C
Capacity Building
One of the three NDIS funding categories. These supports help you build skills and independence over time, such as therapy, employment support, or training.
Capital Supports
One of the three NDIS funding categories. Covers higher-cost items like assistive technology, home modifications, and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Choice and Control
A core NDIS principle meaning you have the right to choose your providers, how your supports are delivered, and how your funding is managed.
Core Supports
One of the three NDIS funding categories. Covers day-to-day supports such as personal care, transport, consumables, and social participation. The most flexible category.
E
Early Childhood Approach (ECA)
A program for children aged 0 to 9 with developmental delay or disability. Provides early intervention supports, sometimes before a formal NDIS plan is created.
ECEI Partner
Early Childhood Early Intervention Partner. An organisation that works with the NDIA to deliver early childhood supports in your area.
F
Funded Supports
The specific supports and services that the NDIA has approved and allocated funding for in your NDIS plan.
I
ILC
Information, Linkages and Capacity Building. NDIS-funded community programs available to all people with disability, not just NDIS participants.
L
LAC
Local Area Coordinator. A person from a partner organisation who helps you access the NDIS, create your plan, and connect with local services and community.
M
Mainstream Services
Services available to all Australians, not specifically funded by the NDIS. Examples include public health, education, housing, and transport systems.
myplace Portal
The online portal where NDIS participants and their nominees can view their plan, track funding, manage service bookings, and submit payment requests.
N
NDIA
National Disability Insurance Agency. The government agency responsible for implementing the NDIS, assessing access requests, and creating participant plans.
NDIS
National Disability Insurance Scheme. Australia's national scheme providing funding and support to people with permanent and significant disability.
NDIS Commission
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The independent body that regulates NDIS providers, handles complaints, and enforces quality standards.
NDIS Code of Conduct
A set of rules that all NDIS providers and workers must follow, including acting with respect, honesty, and integrity toward participants.
NDIS Practice Standards
Quality standards that registered NDIS providers must meet and be audited against, covering areas like rights, governance, and service delivery.
NDIS Price Guide
The document published by the NDIA that sets the maximum prices providers can charge for NDIS-funded supports. Updated annually.
Nominee
A person formally appointed by the NDIA to act on behalf of a participant in managing their plan. Can be a plan nominee or correspondence nominee.
P
Plan Management
A way of managing your NDIS funding where a registered plan manager handles invoices and payments on your behalf, while you choose your providers.
Plan Review
The process of reassessing your NDIS plan, usually at the end of your plan period. You can also request an unscheduled review if your circumstances change.
R
Reasonable and Necessary
The test the NDIA applies to decide if a support should be funded. Supports must be related to your disability, effective, value for money, and not funded elsewhere.
Registered Provider
An NDIS provider that has been approved and audited by the NDIS Commission. Required for agency-managed participants; optional for self-managed or plan-managed.
S
SDA
Specialist Disability Accommodation. Purpose-built housing for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. Funded under capital supports.
Self-Management
A plan management option where you manage your own NDIS funding — paying providers directly and claiming reimbursement from the NDIA.
Service Agreement
A written contract between you and your provider that outlines the supports, costs, schedules, and cancellation terms. You should always have one before starting services.
SIL
Supported Independent Living. Funding for help with daily tasks in a shared living arrangement, such as a group home. Covers support workers, not accommodation.
Stated Supports
Supports in your plan that are allocated for a specific purpose and cannot be used flexibly. Contrast with flexible supports.
Support Coordination
A capacity building support that helps you understand your plan, connect with providers, and coordinate your services. Funded in many NDIS plans.
Support Worker
A person who provides direct support to you, such as personal care, community access, or daily living assistance. May be employed by a provider or hired directly.
T
Thin Markets
Areas (usually regional or remote) where there are few providers available. The NDIA has strategies to address gaps in provider availability.
U
Unregistered Provider
A provider that is not registered with the NDIS Commission. Can only be used by self-managed or plan-managed participants.
W
Worker Screening Check
The NDIS Worker Screening Check. A background check required for workers in risk-assessed roles who work directly with NDIS participants.
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