NDIS Community for participants and providers NSW

28/10/2025

23/10/2025

The NDIS Commission will take strong action against providers that fail to provide safe NDIS services to people with disability.

Last week our Federal Court action led to a new record civil penalty – $2.2 million – against an NDIS provider following the tragic and preventable death of an NDIS participant.

The Court found Aurora Community Care and its support workers put the participant at serious risk of harm, leading to his death.

This penalty sends a strong message to all NDIS providers to take their obligations seriously.

You can read more about this case on our website: https://bit.ly/4h89u8E

23/10/2025

How Two NDIS Participants Reached Their Goal of Living More independently .
If you, or someone you support, are thinking about living in a more independent, safe, and flexible way — there are great options beyond traditional group homes.

With the right NDIS supports, many people with disability are now choosing living arrangements that truly reflect their lifestyle, preferences, and goals.

Creating a Life That Fits You

Bright Path Supports is a provider offering Individualised Living Options (ILO), Supported Independent Living (SIL), and other creative housing models. Their focus is on helping participants design a living arrangement that supports both their daily needs and long-term dreams.

“It’s about building a life, not just filling a space,” says Melissa Jones from Bright Path Supports. “We work closely with participants and families to create flexible arrangements that meet their needs and aspirations.”

Liam’s Story – Finding Safety and Stability

Liam* used to live in a group home where he often felt uncomfortable and anxious due to the constant change of staff and housemates.

With help from Bright Path Supports, he moved into a quiet, two-bedroom apartment close to his local community. He now receives regular drop-in support from a small, familiar team he trusts. Liam has full say over his daily routine, his home environment, and how his supports are delivered.

His arrangement is funded through his Core – Assistance with Daily Life budget and was designed to suit his goals, safety needs, and available funding. The support team also considered the location carefully, ensuring Liam could easily access transport, local shops, and community activities.

Mia’s Story – Achieving Independence in a Tiny Home

Mia* always dreamed of living on her own but still wanted to be close to her family. After saving money from her job at Woolworths, she built a tiny home in her parents’ backyard — the perfect mix of independence and connection.

Since Mia needs 24-hour support, Bright Path Supports helped her design a flexible support schedule funded through her Home and Living budget.

Together, they explored creative ways to use her NDIS funding to make her vision possible, ensuring her supports reflected her lifestyle and goals.

The Power of the Right Supports

When the right supports are in place, life becomes more than just safe — it becomes meaningful.

“When someone’s living space reflects who they are, everything changes — confidence grows, independence builds, and life feels more in control,” says Melissa.

These are the kinds of positive, person-focused conversations that providers like Bright Path Supports have every day.

What Makes a Successful Living Arrangement?

When helping participants explore housing options, Bright Path Supports considers:
• Location: Is it easy to access transport, cafés, or local activities?
• Connection: Are there opportunities for social interaction and community involvement?
• Flexibility: Can the supports adapt to the person’s needs and changing goals?

Participants have successfully moved into various creative living models, such as:
• Shared living with a chosen housemate
• Living with a host family
• Independent units with flexible on-site or drop-in support

Start Planning Early

If you’re thinking about moving out or changing your living arrangement, it’s best to plan early. Milestones like finishing school, turning 18 or 21, or starting a new job are great times to start exploring independent living.

While group homes suit some people, there are now many flexible, person-centred options available through the NDIS that can be tailored around your lifestyle and goals.

Ready to Explore Your Living Goals?

If you’d like to find out more about living independently, ask your questions and we will get back to you soon.

17/09/2025

Art and Music Therapy

30/08/2025

– Thriving Kids Program

What is Thriving Kid

• A new government program starting July 2026 for children aged 8 and under who have mild to moderate autism or developmental delay.
• These children may no longer get an individual NDIS plan.
• Instead, support will be given through schools, health services, and community programs.

Why the Change?

• The NDIS has grown much faster than expected and is becoming expensive to run.
• The government wants to focus the NDIS on people with permanent and significant disabilities.
• Thriving Kids will provide foundational supports for children with lower needs.

When Will It Happen?

• Program starts: July 2026.
• Transition period: 2026–2027.
• By mid-2027, most children with mild to moderate needs will use Thriving Kids instead of NDIS.

What Does This Mean for Families?

• Support will still be available, but in a different way.
• Parents may feel worried:
• Will schools and community services be ready?
• Will there be enough therapy and trained staff?
• Will any children miss out during the change?
• The government says more details will be shared as the program is developed.

Points to Remember

• No child will be left without support during the transition.
• Families should start keeping records of their child’s needs and therapies.
• More information will be given closer to the launch.

21/08/2025

Interesting and informative.

Guidance, stories, research and resources for Autistic people, their families and health professionals.

12/08/2025

My Circumstances Have Changed – What Do I Do?
Sometimes life changes – you might move house, your health changes, or your family can’t help as much as before. If that happens, your NDIS plan might need to change too so it still works for you.
From 4 March 2025, the NDIS has made new rules to make it clearer when and how plans can change.

Two ways your plan can change
1. Plan variation – Small updates to your current plan (for example, new contact details, new goals, or changing how your funds are managed). Your plan stays the same except for those updates.
2. Plan reassessment – Big changes when your needs or goals are very different. You’ll meet with an NDIS planner and get a brand-new plan.

Why you should tell the NDIS about changes
If you keep using supports that no longer match your needs and don’t tell the NDIS, you might have to pay money back.

Things that can change your plan
• New phone number, email, or address
• Changes in family or friends who help you
• New or different disability support needs
• Moving house, overseas, or into aged care
• Change in work or study hours
• Health changes related to your disability
• Long-term travel overseas

When you might need a plan reassessment
• Your disability affects your life in a new way
• You’re starting school or work
• You’re moving out of home
• You’re losing family or carer support
• Your child under 9 needs new developmental supports

How to tell the NDIS
You can:
• Call 1800 800 110
• Email enquiries@ndis.gov.au
• Fill in a change of details form on the NDIS website
• Post a letter with evidence to GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601
• Visit an NDIS office in person

Tip: If your support needs have changed, you’ll need evidence (like a letter from your doctor). Small updates like a new phone number usually don’t need evidence.

What happens next
• The NDIS looks at your request
• If changes are approved, you get your updated or new plan
• If not, they explain why and tell you your review options
• All updates must still meet NDIS “reasonable and necessary” requirements.

26/07/2025

NDIS Employment Supports

Do you want to work, earn money, or build job skills?
If you have a goal in your NDIS plan related to finding a job, getting work experience, or building career skills, the NDIS can help.

What supports are available?

NDIS can support you at every stage – from preparing for work, getting a job, staying employed, and growing your career.

Supports might include:
• Help exploring job interests and career pathways
• Skills training (e.g., communication, getting to work on time)
• On-the-job support (e.g., coaching or personal care)
• Help transitioning from school or Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE)
• Job planning and counselling

Where can you use these supports?

You can receive support in many work settings, like:
• Government or private workplaces
• Social enterprises or your own small business
• Volunteering roles or ADEs

Types of NDIS Employment Supports

1. Core Support – Supports in Employment

Funded under Core: Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation

For people who need regular support at work. Examples:
• Help with personal care during work (e.g. eating or toileting)
• Coaching and reminders to stay focused
• Learning workplace skills (e.g. how to dress or talk with others)

2. Capacity Building – Finding and Keeping a Job

Funded under Capacity Building

Helps build skills for future work. Includes:
• Work experience and part-time jobs during school
• Training and communication skills
• Career planning or changing jobs
• Support with mental health or disability-related barriers

Note: School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) are being phased out by 2027 and replaced with Employment Assistance.

Other Helpful Supports
• Employment assessment and counselling: Helps you understand your strengths and plan your career. Delivered by professionals like OTs or speech pathologists.
• Support Coordinator or Recovery Coach: Can help you find work options, manage stress, and coordinate services.

What NDIS Does Not Fund:

NDIS won’t pay for:
• Government employment services (like DES)
• Workplace adjustments (e.g. ramps or assistive tech)
• Employer responsibilities (like job training or travel to work)
• Business costs (e.g. bookkeeping or startup fees)
• School work experience or textbooks

How to Get These Supports in Your NDIS Plan

At your NDIS planning or review meeting:
• Talk about your work goals
• Bring employment plans (from school, DES, or ADE)
• Include assessments from therapists if you have them

07/07/2025

Saturday, 31 May 2025: Virgin Australia and Adelaide Airport have today announced the official launch of the ‘Try Before You Fly’ (TBYF) program, committing long-term to an initiative that provides people with disability and other health conditions the opportunity to experience flying who would ...

27/06/2025

Improved Relationships Funding – What You Need to Know

What is it?
The Improved Relationships budget helps people with disability build social skills, improve communication, and develop healthy relationships. It’s part of the Capacity Building budget.

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Key Differences: Legacy Plans vs. PACE Plans

Legacy Plans PACE Plans
One category: Improved Relationships Split into two categories: • Relationships (social skills) • Behaviour Support (managing behaviours)

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What Can This Funding Cover?

Relationships (PACE Plans):
• Help finding the best way to communicate
• Understanding social cues (e.g. tone, facial expressions)
• Practicing social skills in real-life situations
• Joining programs or groups to boost confidence

Improved Relationships (Legacy Plans):
• Social skill development for home, school, work, or community
• Behaviour assessments and strategies by a behaviour support practitioner

✅Important: Behaviour assessments can only be done once the right funding is approved. They can’t be claimed from other budgets like Improved Daily Living.

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Social Skills Examples (All Plans)
• Practicing conversations
• Attending groups with support
• Learning how to read social cues
• Managing difficult social situations
• Building confidence in steps (e.g. short meetups → regular groups)

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Things to Remember

• This funding is usually stated, meaning it must be used for exactly what your plan says (not flexible).
• The NDIS won’t pay for general entry fees, tickets, or memberships – but will support you to build skills to join those activities.
• Providers need to meet specific registration and rate requirements – they should check with NDIA.

If you’re switching to a PACE Plan and need both social skills and behaviour support, make sure to mention this at your planning meeting so both are funded separately.

26/06/2025

NDIS Changes – June 2025 Update

The NDIS is making major changes this year. These updates affect how plans are created, how funding works, and how supports are approved. Some changes are already in place, and others will be introduced gradually over the coming months and years.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changing:

1. Funding Periods – Already Started (From 19 May 2025)
• All new and reviewed NDIS plans now have funding periods.
• A funding period is a set time (like 3 months) where only part of your funding is made available.
• This means you won’t get your full budget all at once anymore.
• Funding is divided into components (used to be called “budget categories”).
• You can only spend the money that’s available in the current or earlier funding periods—not future ones.
• The goal is to help participants avoid overspending or underspending.

2. Annual Price Changes – Starting 1 July 2025
• New price limits are based on the 2024–2025 Annual Price Review.

• Some therapy supports will have lower price caps because they were found to be overpriced.

• Extra pricing (called “price loading”) for physio and psychology will be removed in WA, SA, Tasmania, and NT.

• Therapists will be able to claim less for travel costs.

• Price limits will increase for Level 1 Support Coordination and psychologists in NSW, VIC, QLD, and ACT.

3. New Planning Framework – Now Rolling Out
• The NDIS is switching to a new planning process for more personalised and flexible plans.

• This affects how people join the NDIS, how needs are assessed, and how budgets are set.

• The rollout will take around 5 years.

• If you’re new or getting your plan reviewed, you’ll get a new framework plan.

• If not, you’ll stay on the old system for now.

Support Needs Assessments – Starting September 2025
• A new way of assessing what support you need—not just your disability level.

• This will help decide your NDIS budget.

• It’s currently being tested and will begin rollout in September 2025.

• These are items you can request instead of something already in your plan.

• For example: a smart device or household item.

• Even though these aren’t usually funded, they might be approved as a replacement in certain cases.

• You must apply, and NDIS must approve it before purchase.

• Must be paid from your existing budget and meet specific rules.

6. Impairment Notices – Already Started for New Participants
• Replaces the old “access decision letter.

• Lists the disability or condition that qualifies you for the NDIS.

• All new participants now get this document.

• Existing participants will get one when they switch to a new plan.

• It links your supports directly to your listed impairment—only supports related to this impairment can be funded.