The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australia-wide scheme supporting people with disability.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is delivering the NDIS. The NDIA is responsible for assessing the eligibility of participants and working with them to develop support plans that meet their needs.

Visit the NDIS in South Australia website for more information.

Educational support programs

The NDIS does not change education support programs for children with disability in South Australian public schools. The Department for Education will continue to make sure students with disability have the personalised support they need to access education on the same basis as other students.

NDIS service providers access to schools

NDIS service providers can only access school grounds if approved by the principal.

Approval depends on:

• qualifications of the provider
• ensuring relevant screening and training has been completed
• the provider holding the correct insurance
• receipt of details where limitations or restrictions have been placed on professional practice
• ensuring there are available facilities
• ensuring there is ‘line of sight’ with the student at all times
• volume of requests
• educational needs of the student.

Preschools and schools must provide a mandated amount of instructional time and have a duty of care for children and students. Families should consult their child’s school before arranging an externally funded (non-government) service provider to provide services while the child is at school.

Families with questions or concerns about a NDIS service provider should contact the NDIA.

Visit the NDIS website for a list of registered service providers in South Australia.

NDIS for daily living while at school

The NDIS is responsible for funding activities associated with daily living while a student is at school. These services can include:

• early childhood approach
• transport to and from school
• post school transition.

Early childhood approach

The NDIA early childhood approach is a nationally consistent approach for supporting children younger than 9 years of age who have a developmental delay or disability, and their families or carers.

Children are assessed by a NDIS early childhood partner. Children are then supported in mainstream early childhood settings such as preschool and playgroup to develop the skills they need to take part in daily activities. Receiving support early in their development may reduce the need for longer term assistance.

Families benefit by receiving:

• assessment and provision of short-term specialist supports
• access to a range of family-centred support services relevant to the family’s needs
• assistance to access the early childhood early intervention services
• assistance to connect with other families who have similar needs and to build networks.

Families of children aged 9 and above are supported by local area coordinators and funded through individual plans.

Visit the NDIS website for more information about the early intervention support services providers registered in South Australia.

Transport

Transport assistance for students with disability is funded by the NDIS. Transport is regarded as an in-kind arrangement between the State and the NDIS. Refer to the in-kind student travel fact sheet (PDF 71KB).

Students are required to meet the NDIS ‘reasonable and necessary’ criteria to access the department's transport assistance program.

It's important that families connect with NDIS to establish eligibility before contacting the school or preschool to access this service.

Once assessed, the most appropriate form of transport assistance will be determined by the department, such as taxi, bus, or car allowance.

Visit the NDIS website for more information on accessing transport assistance for students and in-kind student transport for an explanation of In-kind funding arrangements.

Post school transition

School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) is a reasonable and necessary NDIS funded support for students leaving school and who have a goal to work in open employment. SLES, an alternative to Disability Employment Services (DES), complements but does not replace existing school supports and its objective is to fund supports for students to build skills and capacity within 2 years.

Students and their family or carer are encouraged to share information regarding school transition planning with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) during their NDIS planning meeting. Students who have already had a planning meeting for their final year of schooling may need to seek a plan review to discuss post school supports if not already considered.

More information on the SLES is on the NDIS website.

NDIS in the community – Respite Care Program

Department for Education operates the Respite Care Program, a specialised disability care service for children and young people. The department is a registered provider for this service under the NDIS.

Visit SA.gov.au for further information on respite care.

Registering for NDIS support

Contact the NDIA or the Local Area Coordinator in your region about eligibility.

If your child has an existing personalised learning plan with reasonable adjustments, you should ask the school for this information before meeting with the NDIA. Schools do not need to undertake new assessments to support a NDIS application.

Privacy

After a NDIS plan is established, privacy legislation prohibits the NDIA from sharing these details unless the participant agrees.