NDIS Glossary
Key terms and definitions for navigating the NDIS and disability services sector
A
- Access Request
- The application form to become an NDIS participant
- Allied Health
- Health professionals like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists
- ART
- Administrative Review Tribunal - Reviews NDIA decisions after an internal review. Replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on 14 October 2024.
- AT
- Assistive Technology - Equipment or systems to help with daily tasks
C
- Capacity Building
- NDIS funding category for skills development and independence
- Capital Supports
- One-off purchases like assistive technology or home modifications
- Choice and Control
- NDIS principle that participants decide how to use their funding
- Core Supports
- NDIS funding for everyday activities and consumables
D
- DSX
- Disability Services Exchange - Member-owned cooperative for NDIS providers
E
- Early childhood approach
- How the NDIS helps children younger than 9 with developmental delay or disability, and their families, through early childhood partners. Includes early connections.
- Early connections
- Quick access to supports for young children, as part of the NDIS early childhood approach.
L
- LAC
- Local Area Coordinator - Helps participants implement their NDIS plan
N
- NDIA
- National Disability Insurance Agency - Manages the NDIS
- NDIS
- National Disability Insurance Scheme - Australia's disability support system
P
- Participant
- Person with disability who receives NDIS funding
- Plan Manager
- Service that manages NDIS funding and pays providers on your behalf
- Plan reassessment
- The NDIA checks your plan and replaces it with a new plan.
- Plan variation
- A change to part of your plan without a new plan.
- Provider
- Individual or organization delivering NDIS services
R
- Reasonable and Necessary
- NDIS criteria for approving supports in a plan
S
- SDA
- Specialist Disability Accommodation - Housing for people with extreme needs
- SIL
- Supported Independent Living - Funding for a support worker to help or supervise you at home, 24 hours a day. Usually shared with other participants; one-to-one only in limited situations.
- Support Coordinator
- Helps participants understand and use their NDIS plan
- Supports
- Services, equipment, or assistance funded by NDIS
T
- Thriving Kids
- A government program outside the NDIS for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs, starting from 1 October 2026 and fully rolled out by 1 January 2028.