What is the NDIS and How Can We Support you?

At Total Care Disability Services, Assistance with Daily Life focuses on helping participants manage everyday tasks—such as personal care, household activities, and routine planning—so they can live more independently and comfortably at home and in their community.

NDIS

NDIS stands for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and is a new approach to service delivery and funding for people with a disability. To be eligible for the NDIS, a person must meet certain criteria. Eligible people include those who are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen holding a Protected Special Category Visa. The NDIS was established under the NDIS Act (2013), which provides the legislative framework for the scheme.The NDIS puts people with disabilities at the center of the system for the first time – allowing them to determine their own future and receive funding which matches their needs and aspirations.

NDIA

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is an independent statutory agency. The NDIA was established by the federal government to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Our role is to implement the NDIS, which will support a better life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families and carers.

Check Your Eligiblity

What Types of Supports are funded?

The NDIS funds a range of NDIS supports to assist participants with their everyday activities, helping them participate in daily life and achieve their goals. The types of supports funded by the NDIS for participants include:

Assistance with daily personal activities to assist participants in managing their everyday activities
Transport to enable participation in community, social, economic and daily life activities
Workplace help to allow a participant to successfully get or keep employment in the open or supported labour market
Therapeutic supports including behavior support
Help with household tasks to allow the participant to maintain their home environment
Assistance by skilled personnel in aids or equipment assessment, set up and training, including assistive technology to assist participants in their daily lives
Home modification design and construction
Vehicle modifications.
Specialist disability accommodation for participants with high support needs, providing appropriate housing solutions
Supports funded by the NDIS may also include assistance with accessing mainstream services and existing services in the community
Plan management services, where a plan manager manages participant funds and oversees the distribution of NDIS funding

Who Can Access Support from the NDIS?

The NDIS is designed to provide funding for people living with a permanent and significant disability under the age of 65. Accessing the NDIS involves checking eligibility, submitting an application, and working with the NDIA to assess your needs and develop a plan. Participants must meet certain eligibility criteria set by the NDIA.

Once approved, individuals can begin receiving support through their NDIS plan, with funding tailored to their goals, whether that’s greater independence, access to community participation, improved health and wellbeing, or education. NDIS funding is not means tested, and receiving the disability support pension does not affect your eligibility for the scheme.

Unlike older models of disability support, the NDIS gives participants genuine choice and control. Family and family members can be involved in planning and decision-making, ensuring your supports reflect your needs and preferences.

You decide who provides your support, when and where they are delivered, and how your budget is managed. This flexibility ensures services are better aligned with your personal aspirations and lifestyle.

How Total Care Disability Services Works With the NDIS

At Total Care Disability Services, we are more than just a registered NDIS provider. Our mission is to deliver peace of mind, independence, and protection to every participant we work with.

We specialise in supporting participants across Blacktown and Western Sydney, with years of local expertise in navigating the scheme.

Here’s what makes us different:

Speed

Ultra-fast invoice processing, sometimes in as little as 5 minutes.

Transparency

Full access to your budget through the NDIS portal plus our monthly reports.

Experience

Years of NDIS specialisation in Western Sydney

Personalisation

Services built around each individual

Participants are not required to contribute to the cost of their NDIS supports, as funding is provided based on assessed needs.

Our Core NDIS Services:

Through the NDIS, we provide a wide range of supports, including:

NDIS Plan Management

We handle budgets, invoices, and disputes while you stay in full control.

Support Coordination

Connecting you with providers and ensuring your plan is implemented smoothly.

Personal Care Assistance

Professional, compassionate medical and personal assistance.

Assistance with Daily Life

Helping with personal care, household tasks, shopping, and routines.

Community and Social Participation

Support to attend events, appointments, or activities that matter to you.

New to the NDIS?

If you’re new to the NDIS, perhaps you’ve started exploring your options but you may have been confronted by acronyms, processes and jargon that you don’t understand.

The NDIS is a new way for people living with disability under the age of 65 to receive the specialized care and support for their health and wellbeing.

The scheme is overseen by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and allows individuals with a permanent and significant disability to access government funding.

Now you can choose when and where to use your funding.

Step-by-Step: Getting Started With the NDIS

Getting started is simple:

Check Your Eligibility

Review the NDIA criteria for permanent and significant disability under 65.

Apply for the NDIS

Submit your application with supporting medical evidence.

Create Your Plan

Work with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or planner to design a plan that reflects your goals.

Choose Your Supports

Decide which providers to engage and how to use your funding.

Review and Adjust

Plans are reviewed annually, ensuring your supports continue to meet your evolving needs.

Total Care Disability Services can support you from the very beginning of this process, helping you prepare for your planning meeting and ensuring you know your rights and choices.

Testimonials From Our Clients

Other clients consistently rate us five stars, noting our reliability, professionalism, and the genuine care we provide to participants and their families.

Why Choose Total Care as Your NDIS Partner in Blacktown & Western Sydney

Local expertise in Blacktown and Western Sydney
Strong reputation for fast, reliable plan management
A compassionate team dedicated to your independence and dignity
A compassionate team dedicated to your independence and dignity
Flexible services that grow with your needs

FAQs About the NDIS

Do I have to pay extra for plan management?

No. Plan management costs are covered within your NDIS funding allocation.

What if I don’t understand my NDIS budget?

We provide transparent reports and ongoing support so you always know where your funding is going.

Can I change providers if I’m not happy?

Yes. The NDIS gives you full choice and control to select providers that best suit your needs.

Reforms and Improvements

Since its launch in 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has seen a series of reforms and improvements designed to better meet the needs of people with disabilities across Australia. The Australian Government has been proactive in refining the scheme to ensure it delivers high-quality, safe, and accessible disability services for all NDIS participants.

A major milestone in these reforms was the establishment of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. This independent body oversees NDIS providers, ensuring that all supports and services funded by the scheme meet strict safety and quality standards. The commission also provides a clear pathway for participants to raise concerns or complaints, further strengthening participant safety and confidence in the scheme.

To make the NDIS more accessible and user-friendly, significant investments have been made in digital infrastructure. These improvements allow participants to more easily access and manage their NDIS plans online, track their funding, and connect with providers. The scheme has also introduced new support budgets and categories, such as funding for assistive technology, home modifications, and vehicle modifications. These additions are designed to enhance independence, accessibility, and community participation for people with permanent and significant disabilities.

Eligibility criteria have also been refined to ensure more Australians with permanent disabilities can access the supports they need. The NDIS continues to expand its focus on community participation, funding a range of social and community-based programs that help participants build connections and lead more inclusive lives. These ongoing improvements reflect the commitment to making the National Disability Insurance Scheme a world-leading model for disability support.

Independent Review and Evaluation

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is continually assessed through independent reviews and evaluations commissioned by the Australian Government. These reviews are essential for ensuring the scheme delivers reasonable and necessary supports to people with significant and permanent disabilities, and for identifying areas where further improvements can be made.

Findings from these evaluations have highlighted the positive impact of the NDIS on participants, their families, and carers, particularly in providing greater choice and control over disability services. However, they have also identified challenges, such as the need to improve accessibility and affordability of supports, especially in rural and remote communities. The reviews have called for a stronger, better-trained workforce to meet the growing demand for NDIS services and to ensure providers can deliver high-quality, individualized support.

Another key recommendation has been to make the NDIS planning process more flexible and responsive to individual needs. This includes developing NDIS plans that are truly tailored to each participant’s goals, circumstances, and aspirations. The Australian Government continues to use these independent evaluations to guide ongoing improvements, ensuring the NDIS remains responsive, effective, and participant-focused.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) stands as a transformative initiative, providing essential supports and services to Australians with permanent and significant disabilities. Through ongoing reforms, improvements, and independent evaluations, the scheme continues to evolve to better meet the needs of NDIS participants, their families, and carers.

Looking ahead, the next steps for the NDIS include implementing recommended reforms, enhancing digital infrastructure, and increasing opportunities for community participation and social inclusion. Continued investment in the NDIS workforce and provider training will be crucial to maintaining high standards of support and accessibility. The Australian Government, together with providers and the broader community, remains committed to ensuring the NDIS is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of people with disabilities.

By working collaboratively, we can ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme remains a world-class model for disability support—empowering participants to achieve their goals, participate fully in community life, and enjoy greater independence and quality of life. The ongoing success of the NDIS will depend on the shared efforts of governments, providers, families, and the community to deliver meaningful improvements and lasting positive change.