NDIS resources

NDIS glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms, codes, and acronyms you meet across the NDIS.

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A

Access request Access and participation

The formal application to become an NDIS participant.

An access request is the process by which a person applies to join the NDIS. The applicant must demonstrate they meet the age, residency, and disability or early intervention requirements. Supporting evidence from treating professionals is usually required. If the request is approved, the person becomes a participant and begins the planning process. If refused, the applicant can seek an internal review or appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Agency-managed funding Plans and funding

Funds held by the NDIA and paid directly to registered providers.

When funding is agency-managed (also called NDIA-managed), the NDIA holds the budget and pays registered providers directly after a service booking is in place. Participants with agency-managed funding can only use registered providers for that portion of their plan. This is the default arrangement unless a participant requests plan management or self-management.

Assistive technology Plans and funding

Equipment or devices that help participants manage their disability.

Assistive technology (AT) is any equipment, device, or system that helps a person with disability to participate more fully in daily life. It ranges from low-cost items (such as bathroom grab rails) to high-cost items (such as power wheelchairs or communication devices). Higher-cost or complex AT is funded under capital supports and typically requires a quote and sometimes an assessment or trial.

B

Behaviour support plan Compliance

A written plan to address challenging behaviour with least restrictive strategies.

A behaviour support plan is a document developed by a qualified behaviour support practitioner that sets out strategies to address a participant's behaviours of concern in the least restrictive way possible. Where restrictive practices are proposed, the plan must be authorised according to state or territory requirements before those practices can be used. Providers delivering supports under a behaviour support plan must be familiar with its contents and implement it consistently.

C

Cancellation (short notice) Pricing and claiming

A charge a provider may claim when a participant cancels with little warning.

When a participant cancels a scheduled support at short notice, the NDIS allows providers to claim a cancellation fee to cover costs that could not be recovered (such as staff already rostered). The rules about what constitutes a short notice cancellation, how many cancellations can be claimed, and the claimable amount are set out in the current Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document. The service agreement should also reflect the agreed cancellation terms.

Capacity Building supports Plans and funding

Supports that build skills and independence over time.

Capacity Building supports are designed to help participants build skills, relationships, and independence so they can achieve their long-term goals. Unlike core supports, this budget is divided into sub-categories (such as support coordination, improved living arrangements, and improved daily living) and funding generally cannot be moved between them. The intent is to invest in outcomes that reduce reliance on paid supports over time.

Capital supports Plans and funding

Funding for higher-cost items and home or vehicle modifications.

Capital supports cover one-off or infrequent purchases that are higher in value, such as assistive technology, home modifications, and specialist disability accommodation. Funding in this budget is not flexible; it can only be used for the specific item or purpose approved in the plan. Quotes are often required before the NDIA will approve a capital support.

Claim type Pricing and claiming

A code that tells the NDIS system the nature of a payment request.

When submitting a payment request, providers must select a claim type to indicate the nature of the service being claimed. Common claim types include standard service delivery, provider travel, non-face-to-face time, and short notice cancellations. Using the wrong claim type can result in a rejected payment request or an audit query, so providers must follow the current PAPL guidance when selecting a claim type.

Complaints Compliance

Concerns about an NDIS provider or the NDIS that can be formally reported.

The NDIS has two main pathways for complaints. Concerns about providers (including their conduct, the quality of supports, or breaches of the Code of Conduct) can be lodged with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Concerns about decisions made by the NDIA (such as plan funding decisions) can be raised directly with the NDIA or escalated to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Providers are also required to have their own internal complaints handling processes that meet the Practice Standards.

Consumables Plans and funding

Everyday, low-cost disability-related products used regularly.

Consumables are everyday items that a participant uses because of their disability and that need to be regularly replaced, such as continence aids, wound care supplies, or gloves for a manual wheelchair. They are funded within the core supports budget and generally do not require prior approval for low-cost items. More specialised consumables may still need to pass the reasonable and necessary test.

Core supports Plans and funding

The most flexible budget, for everyday disability-related assistance.

Core supports help a participant with everyday activities and their disability-related needs. It is usually the most flexible part of a plan, so funding can often move between support categories within it. Common uses include assistance with daily life, social and community participation, consumables, and transport.

E

Early childhood partner Bodies and roles

An NDIA partner who supports young children with developmental concerns.

Early childhood partners are organisations funded by the NDIA to provide early intervention supports to children aged under seven (and their families) who have a developmental delay or disability. They work to connect families with community supports and, where appropriate, support access to the NDIS. Early childhood partners play a similar role to LACs but focus specifically on young children and early intervention.

Early intervention Access and participation

NDIS supports for people where early action can reduce future need.

Early intervention is one of the two main pathways into the NDIS (the other being the disability requirements pathway). Under the early intervention pathway, a person may access the NDIS if early support is likely to reduce their future need for supports or help a child achieve better developmental outcomes. It is particularly relevant for young children with developmental delays. Early intervention supports are funded with the goal of achieving measurable outcomes over time.

F

Flexible funding Plans and funding

Plan funds that can be used across more than one support type.

Flexible funding refers to budgets (most commonly within core supports) where a participant can choose how to spend across several support categories without needing plan approval for each decision. This gives participants more choice and control over how their supports are delivered. Not all budgets are flexible; capital supports and some stated items are fixed to their approved use.

Functional capacity Access and participation

A measure of how disability affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities.

Functional capacity describes the extent to which a person's disability or developmental delay affects their ability to undertake daily activities, participate in the community, and achieve their goals. It is a key consideration in NDIS access decisions and plan funding, because the NDIS funds supports based on functional need rather than diagnosis alone. Assessments of functional capacity may be conducted by occupational therapists, speech pathologists, or other allied health professionals.

G

Goals Plans and funding

What a participant wants to achieve, recorded in their NDIS plan.

Goals are the outcomes a participant hopes to achieve with the support of the NDIS. They are documented in the participant's plan and guide which supports are considered reasonable and necessary. Goals can be short-term or long-term and are reviewed at each plan review to check on progress.

H

Home modifications Plans and funding

Structural changes to a home that help a participant live more independently.

Home modifications are physical changes to a participant's home that are required because of their disability, such as installing ramps, widening doorways, or fitting a hospital-grade bathroom. They are funded as a capital support and are distinct from minor assistive technology. Major modifications typically require a quote and an occupational therapist assessment before approval.

I

Informal supports Plans and funding

Unpaid help from family, friends, or community members.

Informal supports are the assistance provided to a participant by family members, friends, carers, or community networks without payment. The NDIA considers what informal supports are available when determining what funded supports are reasonable and necessary. Informal supports are not replaced by NDIS funding; rather, NDIS funding complements them.

L

Local Area Coordinator (LAC) Bodies and roles

A community-based partner who helps participants plan and connect to supports.

A Local Area Coordinator is an NDIA partner (usually from a community organisation) who works with participants and their families to develop NDIS plans, connect them to mainstream and community supports, and review plans over time. LACs are the primary point of contact for most NDIS participants. They are not NDIA employees but are funded by the NDIA to deliver these services.

M

Mainstream supports Plans and funding

Services available to all Australians that the NDIS does not replace.

Mainstream supports are services funded by government systems other than the NDIS, such as health, education, housing, or transport. The NDIS is not intended to fund supports that are the responsibility of these other systems. When assessing what is reasonable and necessary, the NDIA considers whether a mainstream service should or could provide the support instead.

Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) Plans and funding

Temporary housing for participants waiting for a longer-term home.

Medium Term Accommodation is a time-limited support that funds accommodation costs for participants who need a temporary place to stay while waiting for their long-term housing solution (such as SDA) to become available. It bridges a gap rather than being a permanent arrangement. MTA covers the accommodation component only; support costs are funded separately.

myplace portal Access and participation

The online portal for participants and providers to manage NDIS transactions.

myplace is the NDIA's online portal used by participants to view their plans, track budgets, and manage service bookings. Providers use the provider portal (also called myplace) to submit payment requests, create and manage service bookings, and view participant funding details. Access requires a myGovID and linking to an NDIS account. Some functions differ between the participant and provider views of the portal.

N

National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Bodies and roles

The government agency that manages the NDIS and participants' plans.

The National Disability Insurance Agency is the independent statutory agency responsible for implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIA makes decisions about access to the NDIS, approves and manages participant plans, and sets the pricing rules for supports. It is distinct from the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which handles provider registration and compliance.

NDIA planner Bodies and roles

An NDIA staff member who approves and creates a participant's plan.

An NDIA planner is a staff member employed directly by the NDIA who is responsible for conducting planning conversations with participants, assessing their support needs, and approving NDIS plans. Planners make funding decisions based on the reasonable and necessary criteria. In practice, many participants have their planning meetings facilitated by a LAC, with the planner formally approving the plan.

NDIS audit Compliance

An assessment of a registered provider's compliance with the Practice Standards.

An NDIS audit is a formal assessment conducted by an approved quality auditor to determine whether a registered provider meets the NDIS Practice Standards. The type and scope of audit (certification or verification) depends on the registration groups a provider holds and the risk level of the supports they deliver. Providers must pass an initial audit to become registered and undergo re-audits at regular intervals to maintain registration.

NDIS Code of Conduct Compliance

Behavioural obligations applying to all NDIS providers and workers.

The NDIS Code of Conduct sets out the expected conduct of all NDIS providers and workers, whether registered or not. It requires, among other things, acting with respect and integrity, providing supports safely and competently, taking all reasonable steps to prevent abuse and neglect, and raising concerns about unsafe practices. Breaches of the Code can result in investigation by the NDIS Commission and sanctions.

NDIS plan Plans and funding

The formal document that records a participant's goals and funded supports.

An NDIS plan is a personalised document created by the NDIA for each participant. It records the participant's goals, the supports that have been approved as reasonable and necessary, and the budget allocated to each support category. Plans are reviewed regularly and can be changed if a participant's circumstances or needs change.

NDIS Practice Standards Compliance

The quality benchmarks all registered NDIS providers must meet.

The NDIS Practice Standards are a set of quality and safety benchmarks established by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission that all registered NDIS providers must meet. They cover areas such as person-centred supports, governance, feedback and complaints, and specific high-intensity support modules. Compliance with the Practice Standards is assessed through the NDIS audit process and is a condition of maintaining registration.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Bodies and roles

The independent body that registers providers and handles complaints.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (the Commission) is an independent government body responsible for registering and regulating NDIS providers, setting and enforcing the Practice Standards and Code of Conduct, handling complaints and reportable incidents, and overseeing behaviour support and restrictive practices. It operates separately from the NDIA and has its own powers to investigate and take action against providers.

NDIS Worker Screening Check Compliance

A background check that clears workers to deliver NDIS supports.

The NDIS Worker Screening Check is a national background check that assesses whether a person is suitable to work with NDIS participants. It is administered by each state and territory's screening authority and is required for workers in risk-assessed roles at registered providers. The check considers criminal history and other risk factors. Workers must hold a valid clearance before commencing work in a role that requires screening.

Nominee Bodies and roles

A person appointed to act on a participant's behalf with the NDIA.

A nominee is a person or organisation appointed by the NDIA to act on behalf of a participant when that participant is unable to manage their NDIS interactions independently. There are two types: a plan nominee (who manages the plan and funding) and a correspondence nominee (who handles communications). Nominees have legal responsibilities and must act in the participant's best interests.

Non-face-to-face supports Pricing and claiming

Provider work done for a participant that does not involve direct contact.

Non-face-to-face supports are activities a provider undertakes on behalf of a participant that do not involve the participant being physically present. Examples include writing progress reports, preparing care plans, or liaising with other services. These supports are claimable under certain support items but must be explicitly permitted in the relevant support item description and the participant's service agreement.

P

PACE Access and participation

The NDIA's current case management and planning system.

PACE is the name of the NDIA's participant and provider management platform introduced to replace the older SAP-based system. It underpins how the NDIA manages participant records, plans, and interactions with providers. The transition to PACE has involved changes to how plans are structured, how budgets are tracked, and how providers interact with the NDIA through myplace and other channels.

Participant Bodies and roles

A person who has been accepted into the NDIS and has an active plan.

A participant is an individual who meets the NDIS access criteria and has been approved to receive funded supports through the scheme. Participants have an NDIS plan that documents their goals and approved funding. The term is used to distinguish people actively receiving NDIS supports from those who may be applying (applicants) or who use general community supports.

Payment request Pricing and claiming

A claim submitted by a provider or plan manager to access NDIS funds.

A payment request is the mechanism by which registered providers (or plan managers on their behalf) claim money from a participant's NDIS budget for supports that have been delivered. Payment requests are submitted through the myplace provider portal or via the bulk upload facility and must include the correct support item number, date of service, quantity, and price. Claims must match an active service booking for agency-managed funding.

Plan budget Plans and funding

The total funding allocated across all support categories in a plan.

A plan budget is the sum of funding the NDIA has approved for a participant across all support categories for the duration of the plan. Each category (core, capacity building, capital) has its own sub-budget. Participants and their providers need to track spending against the plan budget to avoid overspending.

Plan management Plans and funding

A funded intermediary who pays providers and tracks budgets on your behalf.

Plan management is an NDIS-funded support where a registered plan manager handles financial administration on behalf of a participant. The plan manager pays provider invoices, tracks spending, and provides financial reporting. Using a plan manager gives participants access to both registered and unregistered providers without the administrative burden of self-management.

Plan nominee Bodies and roles

A nominee specifically appointed to manage a participant's plan funds.

A plan nominee is a type of NDIS nominee who is specifically authorised to manage a participant's plan funding and make decisions about how supports are used. This role is distinct from a correspondence nominee, who only handles communications. Plan nominees are responsible for ensuring supports remain reasonable and necessary and that the participant's best interests are upheld.

Plan review Plans and funding

A scheduled or requested reassessment of a participant's NDIS plan.

A plan review is a process where the NDIA reassesses a participant's plan to check progress toward goals and adjust funding if circumstances have changed. Scheduled reviews typically happen at the end of a plan's term. Participants can also request an unscheduled review if their situation changes significantly, such as a major change in their disability support needs.

Price guide (former name) Pricing and claiming

The earlier name for what is now called the PAPL.

The Price Guide was the name used for the NDIA's annual document setting out support prices and claiming rules before it was renamed the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL). Many providers and participants still refer to it as the price guide. The PAPL document now supersedes all previous versions of the price guide, and the current version always takes precedence.

Price limit Pricing and claiming

The maximum amount a provider can charge for a support item.

A price limit is the cap set by the NDIA on what a registered provider can charge for a given support item under agency-managed or plan-managed funding. Providers may charge at or below the price limit but cannot exceed it. Price limits are published in the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document and are updated periodically by the NDIA.

Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) Pricing and claiming

The official NDIS document that sets claiming rules and price caps.

The Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document (formerly known as the Price Guide) is published by the NDIA and sets out the rules for how providers can charge for NDIS supports, including price limits for each support item, travel and non-face-to-face claiming rules, and cancellation provisions. It is updated regularly and all registered providers and plan managers must comply with its current version.

Provider travel Pricing and claiming

Claimable travel costs when a provider goes to a participant's location.

Provider travel refers to the time and/or distance costs a registered provider incurs when travelling to deliver a support to a participant. The NDIS allows certain provider travel costs to be claimed under specific conditions and within the rules set out in the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document. Providers must have agreed travel arrangements documented in the service agreement before claiming travel.

Q

Quote required Pricing and claiming

A support item that needs a formal quote before the NDIA will approve funding.

Some support items, particularly in the capital supports budget, are marked as quote required in the Support Catalogue. This means a provider or supplier must submit a detailed quote to the NDIA before funding for that item can be approved and included in a plan. Quotes required items commonly include complex assistive technology, major home modifications, and specialist disability accommodation.

R

Reasonable and necessary Plans and funding

The test NDIS supports must pass to be funded in a plan.

For a support to be funded through the NDIS, the NDIA must be satisfied it is reasonable and necessary. This means the support must be related to a participant's disability, not something that is the responsibility of another service system (such as health or education), and represent value for money relative to its expected benefit. Meeting this test is central to every funding decision in a plan.

Registered provider Bodies and roles

An organisation or individual that has registered with the NDIS Commission.

A registered provider is an organisation or sole trader that has been approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to deliver specific types of NDIS supports. Registration requires passing an audit against the NDIS Practice Standards and complying with ongoing obligations including the Code of Conduct, worker screening, and incident reporting. Only registered providers can deliver supports to agency-managed participants.

Registration group Pricing and claiming

A cluster of related supports that defines a provider's registration scope.

A registration group is a category used by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to define the types of supports a registered provider is approved to deliver. Providers must be registered in the relevant group to deliver those supports under agency-managed funding. Each registration group may carry different audit requirements depending on the risk level of the supports involved.

Reportable incident Compliance

A serious event involving an NDIS participant that must be reported to the Commission.

A reportable incident is a serious event or allegation that registered NDIS providers are legally required to notify to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission within defined timeframes. The categories include death, serious injury, abuse and neglect, unlawful sexual or physical contact, and the unauthorised use of restrictive practices. Providers must have systems in place to identify, manage, and report these incidents promptly.

Restrictive practice Compliance

Any practice that restricts a participant's rights or freedom of movement.

A restrictive practice is any action, procedure, or intervention that restricts the rights or freedom of movement of an NDIS participant. Restrictive practices are tightly regulated and may only be used as a last resort, in limited circumstances, and with authorisation from the relevant state or territory authority. Providers must report the use of restrictive practices to the NDIS Commission and must have an approved behaviour support plan in place.

S

Self-management Plans and funding

When a participant manages their own plan funds and pays providers directly.

Self-management means the participant (or their nominee) takes responsibility for managing their NDIS funding, hiring workers, and paying invoices. Self-managed participants have the most flexibility and can engage unregistered workers, negotiate prices, and choose how supports are delivered. In return, they are responsible for record-keeping, budget tracking, and ensuring supports remain reasonable and necessary.

Service agreement Plans and funding

A written contract between a participant and a provider.

A service agreement sets out the supports a provider will deliver to a participant, the agreed price, how and when services will be delivered, and the rights and responsibilities of each party. Having a service agreement is strongly recommended and is required for some funded arrangements. It should be reviewed whenever circumstances change or the plan is renewed.

Service booking Plans and funding

A record in the NDIS portal that reserves funds for a specific provider.

A service booking is created in the myplace portal to allocate a portion of a participant's plan budget to a registered provider. It acts as a reservation of funds and allows the provider to submit payment requests against it. Service bookings are required for NDIA-managed (agency-managed) funding and are not used for self-managed or plan-managed arrangements.

Short Term Accommodation (STA) Plans and funding

Respite or short stays away from home, including care and accommodation.

Short Term Accommodation covers both the accommodation and the support costs for participants staying away from their usual home for a short period. It is often used to provide respite for family carers or to allow a participant to try a new living arrangement. STA is funded within the core supports budget and has limits on how many days can be claimed in a plan period.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Plans and funding

Specially built or modified housing funded for participants with high needs.

Specialist Disability Accommodation is a capital support that funds the cost of purpose-built or significantly modified housing for participants who require a very high level of physical support or have an extreme functional impairment. SDA funding contributes to the housing cost rather than the in-home supports (which may be funded separately through SIL or other supports). Eligibility for SDA requires assessment and approval by the NDIA.

Stated supports Plans and funding

Funds locked to a specific support or provider in the plan.

A stated support is one where the NDIA has specified the exact purpose or provider the funding must be used for. Unlike flexible core funding, stated supports cannot be redirected to other uses. The NDIA typically states a support when it has approved something specific, such as a named assistive technology item or a particular accommodation arrangement.

Support Catalogue Pricing and claiming

The full list of NDIS support items, codes, price limits, and units.

The Support Catalogue is a spreadsheet published by the NDIA alongside the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits document. It lists every fundable support item with its item number, name, support category, registration group, unit of measure, and price limit. Providers and plan managers use the Support Catalogue to identify the correct item and price when creating payment requests or service bookings.

Support category Pricing and claiming

A broad grouping of supports (such as daily activities or transport) in a plan.

Support categories are the high-level groupings used to organise supports within an NDIS plan. Each category has its own budget, and funding can generally only be used for supports within that category. Examples include Assistance with Daily Life, Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation, and Improved Living Arrangements. Support categories map to the three main plan budget areas: core, capacity building, and capital.

Support coordination Plans and funding

Help connecting participants to providers and making the most of their plan.

Support coordination is a funded capacity building support that helps participants understand and implement their NDIS plan. A support coordinator assists with finding and connecting to providers, resolving service issues, and building a participant's own ability to manage their supports. It is time-limited in most plans and is distinct from plan management.

Support item Pricing and claiming

A specific fundable service or product listed in the Support Catalogue.

A support item is a specific type of service or product that the NDIA has classified as fundable under the NDIS. Each support item sits within a support category and registration group, and has its own price limit and unit of measure. Providers and plan managers use support items to identify what is being claimed for when submitting payment requests.

Support item number Pricing and claiming

The unique code that identifies a support item in the NDIS system.

Each support item in the NDIS Support Catalogue has a unique identifier called a support item number. This code is used in payment requests and service bookings so that the NDIS system can match claims to the correct budget and price limit. Support item numbers change over time as the catalogue is updated, so providers should always refer to the current catalogue for the correct code.

Support worker Bodies and roles

A person employed to deliver direct care or assistance to a participant.

A support worker is an individual who provides direct, hands-on assistance to a participant as part of their NDIS supports. Support workers may be employed by a registered provider or engaged directly by a self-managing participant. All support workers delivering NDIS supports must comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct and, depending on the role, may need to hold a valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Supported Independent Living (SIL) Plans and funding

Funded in-home support for participants living in shared or individual settings.

Supported Independent Living is an NDIS-funded support that covers the cost of assistance with daily living tasks for participants who need a high level of support at home. It commonly operates in shared living environments, though it can also apply to individual settings. SIL is assessed separately from accommodation (SDA) and requires a detailed support needs assessment.

U

Unit of measure Pricing and claiming

The billing unit (hour, day, each, etc.) associated with a support item.

Each support item in the NDIS Support Catalogue has a designated unit of measure that determines how claims are calculated. Common units include hours (for attendant care), days (for short-term accommodation), and each (for single items or tasks). Providers must use the correct unit of measure when submitting payment requests to ensure claims are processed accurately.

Unregistered provider Bodies and roles

A provider that has not registered with the NDIS Commission.

An unregistered provider is an individual or organisation that delivers NDIS supports without being registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. They can be engaged by participants who self-manage or use a plan manager, but cannot deliver supports to agency-managed participants. Unregistered providers are still bound by the NDIS Code of Conduct and must comply with worker screening requirements in their state or territory.