Clear, simple definitions for common NDIS concepts. Use the search box or jump by letter to find what you need.
A
AAT– Administrative Appeals Tribunal
An independent body that reviews certain NDIA decisions if you are not satisfied after an internal review.
Planning
Agency Managed
A plan management option where the NDIA pays registered providers directly. Also called “NDIA-managed”.
Planning
Assistance with Daily Life
Core supports for everyday personal activities such as self-care, household tasks, and help to live more independently.
Funding
AT– Assistive Technology
Items or equipment that help you do things you otherwise could not do because of disability, such as mobility aids, communication devices, or home tech.
Services
C
Capital Supports
Funding for higher-cost items or investments, such as assistive technology, vehicle or home modifications, and Specialist Disability Accommodation.
Funding
CB– Capacity Building Supports
Funding to build skills and independence, such as therapy, training, and support coordination across defined categories (e.g., Improved Daily Living).
Funding
Consumables
Core funding for everyday items and low-cost aids related to your disability, such as continence products or low-cost assistive tech.
Funding
CORE– Core Supports
Funding for everyday activities and disability-related needs, including daily life, consumables, social/community participation, and transport.
Funding
E
ECEI– Early Childhood Early Intervention
An early support approach for children under 7 with developmental delay or disability, focused on timely, family-centred intervention.
Services
Employment– Finding and Keeping a Job
Capacity Building supports focused on employment-related skills, training, and supports to start, keep, or change jobs.
Funding
G
Goals
Personal aims included in your NDIS plan that guide what supports are funded to help you increase independence and participation.
Planning
H
Home Modifications
Changes to your home to improve safety and access, such as ramps, bathroom modifications, or widening doorways.
Services
I
ILO– Individualised Living Options
Flexible support arrangements to help you live in a home of your choosing, designed around your preferences and needs.
Services
Improved Daily Living
A Capacity Building category for therapies and training that build everyday skills, independence, and functional capacity.
Funding
Improved Life Choices
A Capacity Building category that can include plan management and financial intermediary services to help manage funding.
Funding
Improved Living Arrangements
A Capacity Building category that helps you find and keep suitable accommodation and build skills for independent living.
Funding
Improved Relationships
A Capacity Building category that funds positive behaviour support and specialised interventions to help with complex needs and relationships.
Funding
Increased Social and Community Participation
Capacity Building supports that help build skills and confidence to participate in social, recreational, and community activities.
Funding
IR– Internal Review of a Decision
A request for the NDIA to reconsider a decision (e.g., eligibility or funding). If unsatisfied, you may apply to the AAT for external review.
Planning
L
LAC– Local Area Coordinator
Partners in the Community organisations funded by the NDIA that help people access the NDIS, create and use plans, and connect to community supports.
Services
N
NDIA– National Disability Insurance Agency
The independent statutory agency that implements and manages the NDIS, including participant plans and payments.
General
NDIS– National Disability Insurance Scheme
Australia’s national scheme that provides funding to eligible people with disability for reasonable and necessary supports to live an ordinary life.
General
Nominee
A person appointed to act on behalf of a participant in some or all dealings with the NDIA, where the participant needs support making decisions.
Planning
O
Outcomes
The benefits or changes that result from using supports and services, linked to your goals and measured over time.
Planning
P
PAPL– Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits
The NDIA’s schedule that sets price limits and rules for funded supports, replacing the former Price Guide terminology.
Funding
Participant
A person who has been found eligible for the NDIS and has an approved plan with funding for supports and services.
General
Plan Managed
A plan management option where a registered plan manager pays providers on your behalf and helps with budgeting and financial reporting.
Planning
PM– Plan Manager
A provider who manages the financial administration of your plan if you choose plan-managed, including paying invoices and tracking budgets.
Services
Price Limits
Maximum amounts providers can charge for specific supports under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (formerly Price Guide).
Funding
Provider
An individual or organisation that delivers NDIS-funded supports or services. Providers may be registered or unregistered.
Services
Provider Registration
The process of becoming an NDIA-registered provider, which is required to deliver supports to agency-managed participants.
Services
Psychosocial Disability
A disability that arises from a mental health condition which can impact everyday activities and participation.
Eligibility
R
Reasonable Adjustment
Changes that enable equal participation in employment, education, or services. While broader than the NDIS, it’s often relevant to funded supports.
General
Reasonable and Necessary Supports
Supports that are effective and beneficial, value for money, and relate to your disability needs to help pursue goals and improve participation.
Eligibility
S
SC– Support Coordinator
A professional who helps you understand and implement your plan, connect with providers, and build capacity to manage supports over time.
Services
SDA– Specialist Disability Accommodation
Housing designed for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA funding covers the property, not support.
Services
Section 100– Plan Review
A scheduled or requested review of your NDIS plan to ensure funding and supports still align with your goals and needs.
Planning
Section 48– Change in Circumstances
A formal process to notify the NDIA that your circumstances have changed and your plan or supports may need to be adjusted.
Planning
Self Managed
A plan management option where you (or your nominee) manage NDIS funding, pay providers directly, and claim reimbursements.
Planning
Service Agreement
A written agreement between you and a provider that outlines supports, pricing, responsibilities, and how changes or cancellations are handled.
Services
SIL– Supported Independent Living
Funding for help with daily tasks so you can live as independently as possible at home, often in shared living arrangements.
Services
SSC– Specialist Support Coordinator
A higher-level support coordination for people with more complex needs, focusing on reducing barriers and building a sustainable network of supports.
Services
T
Transport
Core supports funding to help you travel to work, study, or community activities when your disability affects your ability to use public transport.