How The NDIS Works

The NDIS journey, step by step

• 1. Check eligibility against the NDIS access criteria
• 2. Apply with an access request form and supporting evidence
• 3. Attend a planning meeting to discuss your goals and needs
• 4. Receive your plan with funded support budgets
• 5. Choose providers and start using your supports
• 6. Review your plan regularly as your needs and goals change

Managing your funding

Once you have a plan, you choose how it's managed: self-managed (you handle payments), plan-managed (a professional plan manager handles the paperwork for you), or NDIA-managed (the agency pays registered providers directly). Each has trade-offs in flexibility and admin — our Managing Your NDIS Budget guide covers this in detail, and our support coordinators can help you decide.