Understanding the NDIS support system

As an individual with a disability, it can be stressful and at times disheartening trying to understand how best to navigate your journey to help you get the care and quality of life that is the basis of any human need. This is where the National Disability Insurance Scheme or ‘’NDIS’’ steps in to assess, plan and optimise ways to ensure no individual with a disability should feel isolated from functioning and living a quality driven life any different from other members of society.

What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?


The NDIS provides support via community organisations across Australia, assisting participants with a disability in providing funding for assistance with care – this funding can be used for healthcare provision in multiple areas of your life whether it be direct medical care such as physicians; to optimising an independent and self-advocated plan to access services in areas such as self-care and access to community.


Currently the NDIS supports life changing funding for access to services to approximately 550 000 Australians across the country. These figures provide insight into the commitment of the NDIS to ensure individuals with disabilities are offered support options and valuable opportunities to improve quality of life; and to aid in the understanding that having a disability does not mean you ‘’CANT’’ and rather, with the correct support – that you ‘’CAN’’ still lead a normal life and have access to opportunities available to any member of society.


The NDIS performs evaluations based on your disability and assists in providing a care plan that is most suitable and beneficial to your needs. Support Coordination Funding is then provided to access the services on your care plan. A common misconception is that you receive the funding and are just left to navigate and allocate it on your own, with no opportunity for ongoing evaluation if your needs change. The NDIS understands that circumstances may arise and that your care plan may need restructuring and therefore provides services for a plan review at any stage of your care.


How does Health Staff Australia assist you as a NDIS provider?


The NDIS will provide you with a Support Coordinator who will assist you in how best to allocate the funding and will connect you with Health Staff Australia to provide the care you require.


Health Staff Australia provides support and services from Bulli to Batemans Bay.


As a provider with a fundamental core value in providing the best care and assistance, Health Staff Australia is committed to looking at all aspects of your life and areas that may be overlooked - therefore we work with your Support coordinator, but also include advice and insight from Occupational therapists and other Healthcare Providers to ensure an optimal support network in the use of the allocated funds.

Our care is comprehensive, and we strive to ensure support that encompasses the full spectrum of understanding the challenges participants face in living with a disability.


Our Disability Care Workers commit to a holistic approach, forming firm bonds with our participants that often lead to lifelong friendships. This means our Care Workers are trained to understand that a physical disability may also require encouragement and psychological support and a mental disability may require encouragement and physical support in accessing and interacting with the community or participating in activities that promote and uplift mental well-being.


Ultimately our goal is to go above and beyond, and we always encourage and welcome our NDIS participants to advocate for additional needs that fall outside the scope of their care plan. This can come in the form of additional care shifts and the benefit of offering a range of support shifts tailored to your needs.


 Alongside the support of medical physicians, we also aid with:

  • Self-care -inclusive of personal care such as showers and hygiene needs.
  • Access to community, social and recreational activities -getting you out and about to do shopping or visiting friends.
  • Provider travel -If you want to go on an outing to a place of interest, our care workers will drive you there.


We align with the value that each participant deserves access to comprehensive and quality care, no matter the financial circumstances and will assist you in navigating access to the support of the NDIS, as well as assistance if your plan needs to be re-evaluated.


For full information in on the NDIS, please visit:

www.ndis.gov.au

For information on how to apply for changes to your plan, please visit:

Changing your plan | NDIS


We also invite you to visit our website or get in touch with Health Staff Australia for more personalised information on needs that you may require via:

www.healthstaff.au/contact-us


September 28, 2026
What a day! Thank you, Shoalhaven! 💙 Health Staff Australia was proud to be part of the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026, joining the community for a wonderful day focused on connection, inclusion, support and celebrating people of all abilities. With 97 stallholders coming together under one roof, the Expo provided an incredible opportunity for individuals, families, carers and community members to discover services, ask questions, share experiences and connect with organisations that can make a meaningful difference. Connecting with the Community Our Health Staff Australia team was there with our very own stand and table, and we were delighted to welcome so many people throughout the day. A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, took the time to chat with our team, asked questions and took our details. We loved meeting members of the Shoalhaven community and having the opportunity to introduce Health Staff Australia and the services and support we provide. "The conversations, connections and genuine interest we received made the day a real success for our team."
September 4, 2026
Health Staff Australia is excited to be attending the Shoalhaven Disability Expo 2026 once again as a supplier and exhibitor! Having attended in previous years, we know just how valuable this event is for bringing together people with disability, families, carers, support workers, health professionals, community organisations and service providers. Each year has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, have meaningful conversations and connect with the Shoalhaven community. We’re looking forward to being back at Bomaderry on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and we can’t wait to see both familiar faces and plenty of new ones. Come and Meet the Health Staff Australia Team Health Staff Australia will have a dedicated table at the Expo, and we’d love for you to come and introduce yourself! For our team, attending events like the Shoalhaven Disability Expo is about much more than simply being there as an exhibitor. It gives us the opportunity to connect with people directly, understand the needs of the community, answer questions and introduce people to the services and support we provide. Our previous experiences at the Expo have been incredibly positive. We’ve enjoyed meeting individuals and families, connecting with other service providers and professionals, and building relationships within the local community. These face-to-face conversations are an important part of what we do, and we’re excited to continue building on those connections this year. Whether you’re already familiar with Health Staff Australia or are discovering us for the first time, come and have a chat with our team. We’re always happy to answer questions, share information and talk about how our services may be able to support individuals, families and organisations. Discover Services, Support and Opportunities The Shoalhaven Disability Expo brings more than 90 exhibitors together under one roof, making it an excellent opportunity to discover the range of services and resources available throughout the Shoalhaven and surrounding communities.
July 28, 2026
For many people, home is much more than four walls and a roof. It's where routines are formed, confidence grows, friendships develop and life's everyday moments happen. For people living with disability, having the right home environment can make a significant difference to their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. That's where Supported Independent Living (SIL) comes in. Designed for NDIS participants who require support with everyday living, Supported Independent Living offers more than just accommodation. It provides a safe, supportive environment where people can develop practical life skills, work towards their personal goals and enjoy greater independence while receiving the level of support they need. Rather than focusing on what someone can't do, SIL focuses on what they can achieve with the right support beside them. A Home That Supports Independence Moving into a Supported Independent Living home is often a significant milestone. It represents the opportunity to gain greater independence while maintaining the reassurance of having experienced support workers available when needed. Every participant has unique goals, abilities and aspirations. Some may be working towards managing daily household tasks independently, while others may be focused on increasing community participation, building confidence or developing stronger social connections. SIL is designed to support these individual journeys, recognising that independence looks different for everyone. The beauty of Supported Independent Living is that support is personalised. Participants receive assistance that encourages them to do as much as they can for themselves while providing help where it is needed, creating the perfect balance between independence and support. Everyday Skills That Build Confidence Many of the skills we use every day are things we often take for granted. Preparing meals, doing laundry, shopping for groceries, managing appointments or keeping a home organised all contribute to living independently. Within a Supported Independent Living environment, these everyday activities become opportunities for learning, growth and achievement. Participants are encouraged to build practical life skills such as: Preparing healthy meals Shopping and budgeting Household cleaning and organisation Personal care routines Time management Using public transport Managing appointments Developing communication and social skills Every new skill learned contributes to greater confidence. Often, it's the small achievements that create the biggest sense of accomplishment, helping participants feel more capable and empowered in their daily lives. More Than Support—A Sense of Belonging One of the greatest benefits of Supported Independent Living is the sense of belonging it can provide. Living alongside others creates opportunities to form genuine friendships, share experiences and enjoy everyday moments together. Whether it's cooking dinner, celebrating birthdays, watching a favourite movie or heading out into the community, these shared experiences help reduce isolation and foster meaningful connections.  Feeling part of a household can have a positive impact on emotional wellbeing, helping participants build confidence not only within their home but also in their wider community.