FAQ

How can State Trustees help me with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)?

Will you apply for the NDIS for me?
If you don’t have a guardian, any family, or support networks to help you apply for the NDIS, we can support you to apply if getting funding support will help your finances.

Do you automatically become my plan nominee?

No, we are not currently allowed to be your plan nominee. You should let the planner know that we are your administrator.

Will you come to planning meetings with me?

No, but we can put you in touch with people who can help you get ready for your planning meeting. We will also provide you with your most recent financial statement, which can help you at the planning meeting. This statement gives you information about your current spending and can help you to work out how the NDIS can best support you. You should take a copy of your statement to your next NDIS planning meeting.

Will you be my plan manager?

No, NDIS is paying for some of the things called ‘supports’ that you need to help you do what you want to do. You can choose a plan manager to help you pay your support bills.

Can you manage my NDIS plan?

We manage your assets and estate. A registered plan management service should manage all your NDIS funds.

Will I have to pay a plan manager any fees if I choose to use one?

No. The NDIS will pay the plan manager directly following the price guide on the NDIS website.

Will State Trustees share information with my guardian or plan nominee, if I have one?

In Victoria, the guardians and administrators are separate. If it’s in your best interests, we may give information to your guardian to help manage your affairs.

Can State Trustees receive NDIS funding for me?

We can only receive transport funding from the NDIS. If you want us to receive transport funds for you, then ask the NDIS to send us an email at ndis@statetrustees.com.au. We can then give them your bank account details.

Why can’t State Trustees get my NDIS plan from the PRODA portal (the NDIS’s payment system)?

We can’t be a plan nominee. This means we can’t have direct access to your NDIS plan, including via the portal.

Why do State Trustees want a copy of my NDIS plan?

We manage some of your money and savings. We want to do this in a way that is best for you. This means we need to make sure we don’t pay, from our own money, for things that the NDIS should be paying for.

We ask you to give us a copy of your most recent NDIS plan, so that we can check the types of NDIS support you’re getting and make any changes to your budget.

Does the NDIS cover the cost of medical care like diagnostic assessments, treatment, medication, hospital/GP visits or Medicare gap fees?

The NDIS is not designed to fund support more appropriately funded or provided by the health system.

Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of health conditions, along with medications and hospital care, remain the responsibility of the health system.

As a general guide, the following health-related services and supports are not provided or funded through the NDIS:

Items and services covered by the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), nor Medicare gap fees.
Treatment, services or supports delivered by a doctor or medical specialist, including diagnosis and assessment of a health condition.
Items and services provided as part of diagnosis, early intervention and treatment of health conditions, including ongoing care of chronic health conditions.
Medically prescribed care, treatment or surgery for an acute illness or injury including post-acute care, convalescent care and rehabilitation.
Sub-acute care including palliative care, end of life care and geriatric care.

Are the Disability Support Pension and the NDIS linked?

The Disability Support Pension along with other income supports and payments such as the Carer Payment, Carer Supplement, Carer Allowance and Child Disability Assistance Payment are entirely separate to the NDIS.

These payments will not be affected if a patient qualifies for NDIS funding (the exception to this is the Mobility Allowance from Centrelink, which may be replaced if your patient’s NDIS plan includes transport-related funded support).

It’s important to note that someone who is receiving the Disability Support Pension is not automatically eligible for NDIS funding and support.

Am I eligible if I am over 65?

No. If you’re over 65, you can’t access the NDIS – but that doesn’t mean you won’t receive support. If you’re aged 65 or over and are currently receiving disability support, you’ll continue to receive the same level of support as before, just not through the NDIS.

Who controls my NDIS funds?

You do! Your NDIS plan will tell you how much funding you will receive for each support but it’s your decision how funds are managed. You can choose to manage your funds yourself or nominate the NDIS, a registered provider or someone else you trust to do it for you. With the NDIS you’ll always retain control over how, when and where your supports are provided.

Will I get more or less support under the NDIS?

If your needs aren’t currently being met, you may be provided with more support if it’s deemed reasonable and necessary by the NDIS. This is why it’s important to spend some time thinking about your needs and where your life could be improved ahead of your first NDIS meeting.

Will I get more funding under the NDIS?

Under the NDIS the focus is not on the amount of dollars you receive but on making sure you receive the support you need to help you achieve your goals.

What is an NDIS Local Area Coordinator?

NDIS Local Area Coordinators (LACs) are locally based representatives who can support you in implementing your NDIS plan. This might include assisting you in finding community activities and mainstream services in your local area to help you achieve your goals. However, they can’t be as hands-on or involved as your support coordinator, which is why we highly recommend support coordination to make sure you’re getting the most out of your plan.

Can I change what I need under the NDIS?

Yes, if your circumstances change. If something happens that affects the support you need, just let the NDIS or your support provider know and they’ll work with you to review your plan. Your NDIS plan is also reviewed every 12 months. This allows you to assess the progress you’ve made towards achieving your goals and helps you to set new goals for the year ahead – which could also lead to a change in your support requirements.

How do I know which organisations provide support in my area?

Contact your NDIS Local Area Coordinator for a list of service providers in your area. Alternatively, you can find a List of Registered Providers in Queensland on the NDIS website.

Is getting a job expected of me under the NDIS?

Only if it’s identified as one of your goals. A big part of the thinking behind the NDIS is that living a full life starts with being a part of your community and having the same opportunities as everybody else. Getting a job and participating in the economy can greatly improve your circumstances and your well-being, which is why it could become a goal in your plan. In this situation, you would work with your NDIA planner and support coordinator (if you have one) to find support that will help you achieve it.

How does the NDIS acknowledge the efforts of parents of people with disabilities?

The NDIS fully recognises the important role you, as parents, play in supporting the lives of your children. Both Greenlife Care and the NDIA consider your views and experience to be crucial to the planning process. Parents are actively encouraged to work in partnership with the NDIA and be vocal about your children’s needs.

How do I know if I can access the NDIS? The following requirements must be met to be able to access NDIS funding:

Residency Be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold a Protected Special Category Visa

Age Be under 65 years of age
Location: Live in an area where the NDIS is available. See timeline on page 4 to check if and when NDIS will be introduced in your region.

Support You must either:
• require support from a person or equipment to carry out activities of daily living because of an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent or;
• require some support now to reduce your support needs in the future Another simple way of checking whether you can access funding is through the NDIS access checklist, which you can find online at www.ndis.org.au.

What is a pre-plan?

You don’t have to wait until your first NDIA planning meeting to
start thinking about your NDIS plan. To prepare, we recommend
that you create a pre-plan, which describes your goals in life, how
you’d like to achieve them and what supports you’ll need to make
It happened. It should also include all the supports you currently
receive. Your pre-plan can be used as a guide during your meeting
with the NDIA and ensure all the important points are covered off.
Blue Care has a ‘Pre-planning booklet’ and workshops available
for you to guide you through this process.

What happens to my NDIS plan when I turn 65?

If you’ve been receiving NDIS support, at the age of 65 you can choose to either continue with NDIS support or transition to age care. However, if you do decide to transition to age care, you won’t be able to return to the NDIS.

What should I do if I have unused funds by the end of my plan?

If you have unspent funds by the end of your plan, they will not roll over to your next plan. We can help you to make the most of the funds in your plan to ensure you are getting the most out of it.