The NDIS and carers – what you can expect

The NDIS takes a person-centred approach, and although a NDIS plan will only fund supports for the individual with disability, the NDIS can benefit carers too.

The NDIS identifies and measures outcomes for families and carers, as well as for people with disability. They acknowledge that families and carers need to support the person they care for, as well as live their own lives, and that a person’s informal supports (such as their families) need to be sustainable…which is good news for carers.

What does the NDIS mean for carers?

For carers of adults and children, the NDIS may mean:

• Regular ‘respite’ support provided in the home or community, where the person you care for can undertake activities independently of family. This may be attending a Recreation activity or a Community Hub (for adults).
• Respite support for times you are temporarily unable to provide informal support to the person you care for, such as if you need to go to hospital.
• Reduced reliance of the person you care for on your support. This may result from capacity building funding, which is designed to ensure the person’s needs reduce over time, for example, they may undertake travel training to learn to travel independently on trains.
• Improved relationships and communication with the person you care for, through Positive Behaviour Support to address behaviour of concern, and other types of Therapy, such as Speech Therapy.
• Provision of equipment or assistive technology that increases a person’s independence, and reduces reliance on your family and others.
• Assistance with Daily Living support can be provided around the home, which may mean less reliance on carers.

Because the NDIS can support the person you care for to engage with their community and pursue their goals independently of you, this can provide a break for you and your family. This can give you the opportunity to pursue your own goals and achieve greater independence to do the things you want to be doing (for example, work or social engagements), while the person you care for enjoys their own independence, supported by others.

As a carer of an adult, or particularly of a child with disability, you may also have a role in supporting the person you care for through the NDIS eligibility, preparation and plan implementation stages of the NDIS.

Need more advice or help?

Download our free NDIS guides: To make the most of the NDIS, you can download Yooralla’s free NDIS guides for adults or carers with disability or for parents of children with disability to help prepare for the NDIS.  

Book a free one-on-one NDIS discussion: To discuss your individual circumstances and better understand the NDIS, book in for a free one-on-one NDIS discussion with our friendly team.

Contact us: For more information or support email yoorallaconnect@yooralla.com.au or contact us today.