The NDIS uses specialized terminology, acronyms, and jargon that confuse participants, families, and even some providers. This comprehensive glossary explains over 100 essential NDIS terms in plain language.

Key Points

  • Understanding NDIS terminology helps you navigate planning meetings, service agreements, and communications with providers
  • Many NDIS terms are acronyms for program types, assessment processes, or support categories
  • Some terms have specific NDIS meanings different from general usage (such as “plan” or “capacity building”)
  • Terms are organized alphabetically with cross-references to related concepts
  • Provider-specific terms differ from participant-facing terms in technical detail
  • Legislative terms appear in NDIS Act, rules, and official documents

A

AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal)
Independent tribunal that reviews NDIS decisions when you disagree with an access decision, plan, or internal review outcome. You can appeal to AAT after completing internal review. AAT reviews whether the NDIA made the decision correctly according to NDIS law.

Access Request
The application you submit to join the NDIS. An access request includes personal information, evidence of disability, and how disability affects your daily life. The NDIA must decide access requests within 21 days.

ACAT (Aged Care Assessment Team)
Teams that assess eligibility for aged care services, including Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages) and residential aged care. Different from NDIS assessment. ACAT is relevant for people transitioning from NDIS to aged care after 65.

Activities of Daily Living
Basic self-care tasks such as showering, dressing, toileting, eating, and moving around. Also called ADLs. NDIS funding for assistance with activities of daily living sits in Core Supports budget category.

Approved Quality Auditor (AQA)
Independent auditor approved by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to audit providers seeking or maintaining NDIS registration. AQAs verify providers meet quality and safety standards.

Assistive Technology
Equipment or devices that help you perform tasks and increase independence. Includes wheelchairs, communication devices, hearing aids, home modifications, and vehicle modifications. Funded through Capital budget category.

B

Behaviour Support
Strategies and interventions to reduce behaviors of concern and build positive behaviors. Delivered by registered behavior support practitioners. Requires a Behavior Support Plan. Funded through Capacity Building budget category.

Behavior Support Plan (BSP)
Written plan outlining strategies to support someone with behaviors of concern. Must be developed by registered behavior support practitioner. Required for restrictive practices. The NDIS Commission regulates BSPs.

Budget Categories
The NDIS divides funding into three categories: Core Supports, Capital Supports, and Capacity Building Supports. Each category has flexibility rules about what supports it can fund.

C

Capacity Building Supports
Funding for supports that build your independence and skills. Includes therapy, support coordination, training for family members, and employment supports. Generally less flexible than Core Supports (cannot be swapped between subcategories without plan variation).

Capital Supports
Funding for assistive technology, equipment, and home or vehicle modifications. Least flexible budget category (cannot be used for other support types). High-cost items may require quote comparison and independent assessment.

Choice and Control
Core NDIS principle that participants direct their own supports. You choose providers, negotiate service delivery, and control how funding is spent within plan parameters. Contrasts with previous disability systems where services were block-funded.

Code of Conduct
Rules that all NDIS providers (registered and unregistered) and workers must follow. Covers respect, privacy, preventing abuse, supporting decision-making, and professional behavior. Breaches can be reported to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Community Participation
Supports that help you participate in community, social, and recreational activities. Funded through Core Supports budget. Different from capacity building support coordination.

Continuity of Support
Principle that people transitioning from other government disability programs to NDIS should maintain support level. In practice, continuity is not always achieved due to different funding models.

Core Supports
Most flexible budget category covering assistance with daily living, transport, and consumables. You can swap funding between Core subcategories without plan variation. Supports are ongoing and recurring.

Current Plan
Your active NDIS plan specifying funding amounts, plan duration, and plan management type. Plans typically run 12-24 months before review.

D

Developmental Delay
When children under 6 have delays in motor skills, communication, cognition, or social development compared to typical development milestones. Developmental delay allows NDIS access for young children without permanent disability diagnosis.

Disability
Under NDIS law, a permanent impairment that substantially reduces capacity to perform activities or participate in society. Must be attributable to one or more intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairments or mental health condition.

E

Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI)
NDIS pathway for children aged 0-9 with developmental delay or disability. Delivered through Early Childhood Partners who provide connections to mainstream and funded supports without formal plans for lower-need children.

Early Childhood Partner
Organization delivering ECEI pathway in your region. Early Childhood Partners assess whether children need NDIS support, connect families to services, and develop ECEI plans for children with higher needs.

Early Intervention
Supports provided early after acquiring disability or diagnosis to maximize developmental progress and reduce long-term support needs. Prioritized in NDIS, especially for children. Can include intensive therapy.

Evidence
Documentation proving your disability, functional impact, and support needs. Evidence comes from health professionals (doctors, therapists, psychologists). Required for access requests, plan reviews, and funding appeals.

F

Functional Capacity
Your ability to perform tasks and activities related to self-care, mobility, communication, learning, social interaction, and self-management. NDIS assesses how impairment reduces functional capacity to determine eligibility and funding.

Funded Supports
Supports the NDIA agrees to fund in your plan, listed with dollar amounts in your plan document. Funded supports must be reasonable and necessary and relate to your disability.

G

Goals
Objectives you want to achieve through NDIS supports. Goals should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Examples: “maintain current living arrangement independently,” “attend community activities twice per week,” “work 10 hours per week in supported employment.” Plans fund supports related to stated goals.

Group Activities
Supports delivered in group settings rather than individual 1:1 arrangements. Often cheaper than individual supports. Examples include social groups, life skills programs, and group exercise classes.

H

Home and Living
Funding category covering accommodation supports including Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). Home and living is for people with very high support needs.

Home Modifications
Changes to your home to improve accessibility and safety. Includes ramps, bathroom modifications, stairlifts, and widened doorways. Funded through Capital Supports if disability-related and reasonable and necessary.

I

Improved Daily Living
Long-term outcome category measuring increased independence in daily activities. Plans fund supports contributing to improved daily living outcomes.

Improved Health and Wellbeing
Outcome category measuring better physical and mental health through disability supports. Plans fund allied health and wellbeing supports contributing to this outcome.

Improved Learning
Outcome category measuring educational participation and skill development. Relevant for children and participants in education settings.

Improved Living Arrangements
Outcome category measuring living situation stability, safety, and appropriateness. Relevant for participants receiving SIL, SDA, or other housing supports.

Improved Relationships
Outcome category measuring social connections and relationship quality. Community participation supports contribute to this outcome.

Improved Work
Outcome category measuring employment participation. Plans fund employment supports, job coaching, and workplace modifications toward this outcome.

Individualised Living Options (ILO)
Custom living arrangements designed specifically for one participant or small group. More flexible than traditional SIL. Participants choose housemates, location, and support model. Requires high planning and coordination.

Informal Supports
Unpaid support from family, friends, and community. NDIS funds formal supports but considers informal supports when assessing reasonable and necessary. NDIS should not replace informal supports that would naturally exist.

Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC)
NDIS funding stream for community programs benefiting all people with disability, not individual participants. ILC builds community capacity and mainstream service accessibility. Separate from individual plans.

Internal Review
Formal review of NDIS decision by different NDIA delegate. First appeal step if you disagree with access decision, plan, or variation decision. Request internal review within 3 months of decision. NDIA must complete internal review within 60 days.

L

LAC (Local Area Coordinator)
NDIA staff or partner organization staff who help participants understand and use their plans, connect to mainstream services, and review plans. LACs work with participants with lower support needs who do not require Support Coordination.

Line Item
Individual support listed in your plan with specific funding amount. Line items appear in plan statements showing budget categories and subcategories with dollar allocations.

M

Mainstream Services
Government services available to all Australians regardless of disability status. Examples: public health care, public education, public transport. NDIS should not fund supports that are mainstream service responsibilities.

Medium-Term Accommodation (MTA)
Temporary accommodation (typically 3-6 months) when you cannot live in your usual residence due to circumstances like family relationship breakdown, homelessness risk, or waiting for permanent accommodation. Funded through Core Supports.

myplace
NDIS participant portal where you access your plan, manage service bookings (if NDIA-managed), submit self-management claims, view budget statements, and communicate with NDIA. Access via ndis.gov.au with myGovID.

N

NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency)
Independent government agency that implements NDIS. The NDIA decides access requests, develops plans, manages funding, and administers scheme operations. Separate from NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

NDIS Act
The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013, the law establishing and governing NDIS. NDIS Act defines eligibility, participant rights, NDIA responsibilities, and scheme principles.

NDIS Planner
NDIA staff member who conducts your planning meeting and develops your plan. Planners assess support needs, discuss goals, and determine reasonable and necessary funded supports. Different from Support Coordinator.

NDIS Price Guide
Official price limits for NDIS supports, published annually by NDIA. Providers cannot charge registered rates above price guide maximums. Updated July 1 each year. Price guide rates vary by support type, location, and time of day.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Independent agency regulating NDIS quality and safety. The Commission registers providers, investigates complaints, enforces Code of Conduct, oversees behavior support, and manages worker screening. Separate from NDIA.

NDIA-Managed
Plan management type where NDIA pays providers directly. Participants can only use registered providers. No financial administration required from participant. Simplest management option.

O

Operational Guidelines
NDIA internal policies explaining how staff interpret and apply NDIS Act and Rules. Not legally binding like legislation but guide NDIA decision-making. Publicly available on NDIS website.

Outcomes
Results NDIS supports are expected to achieve. Plans identify outcome areas and fund supports contributing to outcomes. Eight outcome domains: daily living, health, learning, living arrangements, relationships, social and community participation, work, and choice and control.

P

Participant
Person who has been accepted into NDIS and receives funded supports. You become a participant when NDIA approves your access request and creates your first plan.

Participant Statement
Document showing your plan funding, spending, and remaining budget. Available through myplace. Plan-managed participants receive statements from plan managers. Shows budget by category and line item.

Permanency
Requirement that disability must be permanent (lifelong or likely to be permanent) for NDIS eligibility. Temporary conditions, injuries that will heal, or early-stage conditions may not meet permanency requirement.

Plan
Your NDIS plan document specifying goals, funded supports, budget amounts, plan dates, and management type. Plans typically run 12-24 months. Plans are reviewed regularly and can be varied mid-term if circumstances change.

Plan Management
Funding category for plan manager services. Plan management funding is separate from support budgets and does not reduce your available supports. Plan managers handle invoicing, payments, and budget tracking.

Plan-Managed
Management type where registered plan manager handles financial administration. You can use registered or unregistered providers. Plan manager pays providers from your funding and provides budget statements.

Plan Reassessment (Section 33)
Formal process to vary your current plan when circumstances change significantly. Also called unscheduled plan review or plan variation. Request through myplace or your LAC/Support Coordinator.

Plan Review
Regular review at plan end to develop your next plan. Reviews assess goal progress, what worked well, what did not, and whether support needs have changed. Reviews occur every 12-24 months depending on plan duration.

Planning Meeting
Face-to-face, phone, or video meeting with NDIS planner or LAC to develop your plan. Discuss your situation, goals, current supports, and what funded supports you need. Bring evidence and support people to planning meetings.

Pricing Arrangements
Rules about how providers charge for supports. Includes price guide limits, hourly vs fixed pricing, travel time, cancellation fees, and non-face-to-face support billing. Set by NDIA in price guide and pricing guidelines.

Provider
Person or organization delivering NDIS-funded supports. Providers can be registered (on NDIS provider register) or unregistered. Registration is not legally required but NDIA-managed participants can only use registered providers.

Provider Finder
Online tool to search registered NDIS providers by location, registration group, and support type. Available on ndis.gov.au and within myplace portal. Shows provider contact details and registration groups.

Psychosocial Disability
Disability arising from mental health condition. Includes conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD when they substantially reduce functional capacity permanently. Fastest-growing disability type in NDIS.

Q

Quotation
Written price estimate from provider for specific supports, especially assistive technology, home modifications, or vehicle modifications. NDIA may require multiple quotes for high-value items (typically over $1,500) to demonstrate value for money.

R

Reasonable and Necessary
Core test for whether NDIS funds a support. Supports must be related to disability, represent value for money, not duplicate other government responsibilities, be likely to be effective, and align with community expectations. Defined in Section 34 of NDIS Act.

Registered Provider
Provider registered with NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in one or more registration groups. Registration indicates provider meets quality standards, has insurance, conducts worker screening, and follows Code of Conduct.

Registration Group
Category of supports a registered provider is approved to deliver. Examples: Assistance with Daily Life, Therapeutic Supports, Support Coordination, Plan Management. Providers can hold multiple registration groups.

Respite
Short-term accommodation or in-home support giving regular carers a break. Now called Short-Term Accommodation (STA) in NDIS terminology. Funded through Core Supports.

Restrictive Practices
Strategies that limit a person’s rights or freedom of movement to manage behaviors of concern. Includes physical restraint, seclusion, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, and environmental restraint. Heavily regulated by NDIS Commission. Requires Behavior Support Plan authorization.

Review (Plan Review)
See Plan Review above.

S

SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation)
Housing designed with high physical support features for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. SDA is the building only, not support delivery. Funded separately from SIL. Small minority of participants qualify for SDA.

SDAT (Specialist Disability Accommodation Tool)
Online assessment determining SDA eligibility and appropriate building type. Required for SDA funding. Assesses functional impairment, support needs, and whether SDA represents value for money.

Section 33
Section of NDIS Act allowing plan reassessment when circumstances change. See Plan Reassessment above.

Self-Managed
Management type where participant manages funding directly. Participant pays providers, submits reimbursement claims through myplace, and keeps financial records. Maximum provider choice (registered and unregistered). Requires financial capacity.

Service Agreement
Contract between you and provider specifying services to be delivered, frequency, price, cancellation policies, and complaint procedures. All providers (registered and unregistered) should offer service agreements before starting supports.

Service Booking
Arrangement for NDIA-managed supports where NDIA pre-approves specific provider, support type, hours, and timeframe. Service bookings lock in these details, reducing flexibility but providing certainty for providers.

Short-Term Accommodation (STA)
Previously called respite. Temporary accommodation (typically days to weeks) providing break for usual carers or developing independence skills. Funded through Core Supports.

SIL (Supported Independent Living)
24/7 assistance with daily tasks in a shared or individual residence. SIL is the support delivery, not the building (see SDA for building). Funded under Home and Living budget. Only for people requiring very high ongoing support.

SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports)
Time-limited funding (typically 2 years) helping Year 12 school leavers with disability transition to employment. Includes work experience, skills training, and job search support. Funded through Capacity Building.

Statement of Participant Supports
See Participant Statement above. Official name for budget document showing plan funding and spending.

Stated Support
Support specifically listed in your plan that can only be used for that purpose. Typically applies to high-cost supports like assistive technology or specific therapy programs. Cannot be flexibly reallocated.

Stepping Stone
Informal NDIS term for incremental funding increases when participant needs grow but full funding level is not yet justified. Stepping stones help test whether additional supports will be effective before committing to long-term higher funding.

Support Coordination
Capacity building support helping you implement your plan, find providers, navigate NDIS, and resolve provider issues. Three levels: Support Connection (low), Support Coordination (medium), Specialist Support Coordination (complex needs). Must be delivered by qualified support coordinator.

Support Worker
Person providing direct assistance with daily tasks, community participation, or personal care. Most common NDIS worker type. Can be employed through agency provider, self-employed, or directly employed by participant.

Supported Employment
Employment support for people requiring ongoing assistance to maintain work. Delivered through Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) or supported wage arrangements in open employment. Funded through Capacity Building.

T

Therapeutic Supports
Allied health services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, dietetics, and exercise physiology. Funded through Capacity Building Supports. Registration group requiring providers to employ qualified allied health practitioners.

Thin Markets
Geographic areas or support types with limited provider availability. NDIA may approve higher pricing or innovative arrangements to attract providers in thin markets.

Transport
Funding to help you access community, employment, or education when disability prevents using public transport. Includes specialised transport, taxi vouchers, or mileage reimbursement. Funded through Core Supports. Different from vehicle modifications (Capital Supports).

U

Unregistered Provider
Provider not registered with NDIS Commission. Can deliver supports to plan-managed and self-managed participants but not NDIA-managed participants. May include individual therapists, support workers, or small providers who choose not to register.

Utilization
Rate at which participants spend allocated plan budgets. Low utilization (underspending) may indicate access barriers or plan misalignment. High utilization (overspending) may indicate insufficient funding or poor budget management.

V

Value for Money
Requirement that funded supports deliver benefits proportionate to cost. NDIA considers whether support is most cost-effective approach to achieving goal. Part of reasonable and necessary test.

Variation (Plan Variation)
See Plan Reassessment (Section 33) above.

Vehicle Modifications
Changes to vehicles improving accessibility and driving capacity. Examples: hand controls, wheelchair hoists, left-foot accelerators. Funded through Capital Supports if disability-related and reasonable and necessary. Requires quotes and independent assessment for high-cost modifications.

W

Worker Screening
Background check process for NDIS workers ensuring they are safe to work with people with disability. NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance required for registered providers and risk-assessed roles. State-based process.

Y

YPINH (Younger People in Nursing Homes)
People under 65 living in residential aged care due to high support needs and lack of disability accommodation options. Government programs aim to transition YPINH to NDIS-funded community accommodation.

FAQ

Where can I find the official NDIS glossary?

The NDIA publishes a glossary on ndis.gov.au/glossary. However, it does not cover all commonly used terms or practical explanations. This guide supplements official resources with plain-language definitions.

What is the difference between NDIA and NDIS Commission?

NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) implements NDIS, makes access and planning decisions, and manages funding. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission regulates quality and safety, registers providers, investigates complaints, and enforces the Code of Conduct. They are separate agencies.

Why do NDIS terms keep changing?

Terminology evolves as the scheme matures. For example, “respite” became “Short-Term Accommodation” to use more positive language. Some changes reflect participant feedback about stigmatizing or unclear terminology.

Are there regional differences in NDIS terminology?

NDIS terminology is nationally consistent. However, some providers or regions use informal local terms. Stick to official terminology in planning meetings and written communications with NDIA.

What terms should I know before my first planning meeting?

Understand: participant, plan, goals, Core Supports, Capacity Building Supports, Capital Supports, reasonable and necessary, plan management types (self/plan/NDIA-managed), Support Coordination, and evidence. These appear in every planning meeting.

How do I explain NDIS terms to family members who do not understand the system?

Use this glossary as a shared reference. Highlight relevant terms for your family’s situation. Focus on participant, plan, goals, support categories, and provider types as starting points.

What if I disagree with how NDIA defines a term in my plan?

Request clarification in writing from your LAC or planner. If their interpretation seems inconsistent with NDIS operational guidelines or legislation, raise this formally. You can reference operational guidelines and legislation when requesting internal review of decisions.

Are NDIS terms the same as aged care terms?

No. Aged care uses different terminology (such as Support at Home, ACAT, RAD, DAP). Do not assume NDIS and aged care terms are interchangeable even when describing similar supports.

Key Resources

Understanding NDIS terminology empowers you to advocate effectively in planning meetings, understand your plan, communicate with providers, and navigate reviews and appeals. Refer to this glossary when encountering unfamiliar terms in NDIS communications.

Need help finding providers for specific support types? Browse Carevo’s provider directory to find registered NDIS providers across Australia offering supports defined in this glossary.