NDIS
Getting to know the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be difficult, but we’re here to help you learn what the NDIS is, what it offers, and how it may be able to assist you to access disability support services.
Getting to know the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be difficult, but we’re here to help you learn what the NDIS is, what it offers, and how it may be able to assist you to access disability support services. Remember, if you don’t meet the access requirements (eligibility) for the NDIS, we can still help you live safely and independently with alternative funding options to access disability support services.
What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to Australians living with disability, their families and carers via support packages tailored to their individual needs.
The NDIS takes a lifetime approach to care and support, investing in people with disability early to improve their outcomes later in life. The NDIS shares service and support costs across the wider community through contributions from all Australian taxpayers. It is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
According to the Commonwealth Government, ‘the NDIS will provide around 460,000 Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability with the reasonable and necessary supports to live an ordinary life’.
How will the NDIS assist you?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme aims to:
- support your individual needs and choices in disability services by offering necessary assistance to help you achieve your goals and reach your potential
- promote the provision of high-quality and innovative support to maximise your independence, through full inclusion in mainstream social and economic communities.
Mercy Health NDIS schedule of fees
What help can you get through the NDIS?
If you meet the access requirements to participate in the NDIS, you can access a variety of our disability support services.
Learn about our disability support services
How do you check if you can participate in the NDIS?
To find out whether you’re eligible to participate in the NDIS, take a look at the access requirements as defined by the National Disability Insurance Agency, the Commonwealth Government agency that administers the NDIS.
View the NDIS access requirements
What if you’re not eligible for the NDIS?
Don’t worry. If you don’t meet the access requirements for the NDIS, you may be able to access other government funded programs for your support. We can help you identify all of the options you have to suit your individual needs and lifestyle.
If you’re confused about your options, give us a call on 1300 478 776, or read about alternative funding.
Understand your funding options
There are many government funding options available to access disability support. Each of the options are designed to help people with different needs, lifestyles and circumstances. Regardless of your personal situation, we can help you identify the funding option suited to you and guide you towards accessing services to keep you confident, comfortable and independent at home.
Are you eligible for disability support funding?
To receive government funding for disability support, you must:
- be under 65 years of age when you enter the scheme or program
- have been diagnosed with a permanent and ongoing disability.
For more information on the eligibility criteria for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the specific disability funding programs available in your state, this resource on the NDIS website is a good place to start.
If you’ve been injured in a road or workplace accident, state-based compensation schemes may approve funding for your support. For example:
- TAC or Worksafe in Victoria
- Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (icare) in New South Wales.
This type of funding is usually organised by a hospital or rehabilitation discharge planner, or a social worker. If you are unsure about anything or would like assistance arranging help after an accident, give us a call on 1300 478 776.
What government funding programs can you use to access disability support through Mercy Health?
We are registered to provide disability support funded by the following government programs:
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), for people under 65 years of age (ACT)
- Family and Community Services, Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care Services (NSW)
- Transport Accident Commission (TAC) (VIC)
- Worksafe Victoria
- State Trustees.
Getting your support plan started
If you’re ready to choose us as your provider:
You can self-refer to Mercy Health via the Myplace portal, or your planner can make the referral on your behalf. You can also call us to discuss your support needs if you would prefer to talk things through.
We can arrange a member of our team to meet with you to explore how Mercy Health services and support may fit within your Individual support package budget or your approved NDIS service plan.
If you have been injured in a road or workplace accident:
Your case manager, social worker or hospital discharge planner can make the referral.
You are welcome to call us at any time throughout the process to discuss how our services will fit with your lifestyle and support needs.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Mercy Health is a registered provider of NDIS support in metropolitan Melbourne, the Barwon region in South West Victoria (Geelong Colac, Warrnambool), and Southern New South Wales (Albury and the surrounding districts, and Young and the surrounding districts).
If you are living with disability and you meet the NDIS requirements, you can become a participant in the scheme.
State-Funded Disability Support Programs
A person living with a disability can engage with existing national and state and territory government disability services to meet their support needs.
To find a state government disability service near you, click here.
We are a registered state disability service provider in:
- metropolitan Melbourne: North West and South East areas
- the Barwon region in South West Victoria: Colac, Geelong, and Warrnambool.
- Albury and the surrounding districts: New South Wales
- Young and the surrounding districts: New South Wales.
Self-funded options
All of our services are available for purchase with your own money, eliminating the need to wait for government programs to get help or support. If you’ve reached the funding limit of your government-funded care, you can still use your own money to buy additional services for extra support, ensuring you remain comfortable and safe at home.
Our fees reflect the quality of our service. We are not the cheapest, but we are certainly not the most expensive service provider. We are committed to being transparent about our fee structures and we stand by our value for money and quality of care.
We’re always happy to have an open and honest discussion about the cost of disability support services. Give us a call on 1300 478 776.
Frequently asked questions
Find the answers to frequently asked questions, with insights into service costs, different ways we can help you enjoy living independently at home, and more.
Person Centred Care and Active Support is the framework for the approach to all disability services. ‘Person Centred’ means you are at the centre of decisions about the care you want to receive based on what matters to you.
‘Active Support’ is aimed at helping you live the life you want, taking up opportunities you want to pursue, and connecting with your community, family and friends.
Yes. We are skilled at helping people with Individual Support Plan (ISP) or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding. We know the system well and have a lot of experience managing the rules and regulations, the invoicing, and all the other associated tasks. We can help you understand the system so you can make decisions on how to spend your funds most effectively.
We work with you to plan services that suit you and your situation. If you have government funding it will cover the cost of specified services. If you would like to purchase additional services or you don’t have funding, we will clearly explain how much the services cost, so you can make an informed decision about what you would like us to provide.
Yes. We have experience providing services to people of all ages.
Yes. Staff working with people under 18 years also have a Working with Children Check. Our Victorian Staff hold an NDIS Workers Screening Check and our ACT staff meet the requirements of the Working with Vulnerable People Check.