Mainstream Supports

There are a variety of mainstream supports available to all Australians who need them, including NDIS participants. These supports include: 

GENERAL:

Information for government support for all age groups of people with disability and their carers includes: 

• Disability Gateway: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/  
• Carer Gateway: https://www.carergateway.gov.au/  
• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres: ph 1800 052 222 
• National Equipment Database: https://askned.com.au/  
• Independent Living Centres: https://ilcaustralia.org.au/  
• Accessible Sport: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/find-a-sport/sport-for-people-disability  
• Accessible Recreation: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/access-friendly  
• Companion Card: https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/companion-card  
• Disability Support Pension: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disability-support-pension  
• Support for people who are not eligible for the NDIS: https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply/receiving-your-access-decision/support-people-who-are-not-eligible 

HEALTH:

Please ask your GP if you qualify for a Medicare rebate on up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year (please note, not all providers can afford to bulk bill these sessions). 

If you are Indigenous, you can ask your GP for a “715 Health Check” which can refer you for up to 5 additional bulk billed allied health sessions. 

The Health Department is responsible for any medical procedures and follow-up allied health services you might require (e.g. Botox/ for 6 weeks following corrective limb surgery). 

MENTAL HEALTH:

You are entitled to ask your GP for a Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan if you require support, e.g. for depression, anxiety and/or stress (please note, not all providers can afford to bulk bill these sessions and waiting lists often apply). 

Your carers are entitled to ask their GP for their own Better Access to Mental Health Care Plans if they require support to sustain their ability to care (please note, not all providers can afford to bulk bill these sessions and waiting lists often apply). 

EARLY CHILDHOOD:

All childcare centres, preschools and family day care services are required to provide developmentally appropriate educational opportunities to all children they care for. This is particularly important for children with disability, who often require extra practice to master skills. 

• Go to https://www.childcarefinder.gov.au/ and https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/ for services available near you 
• You can access information about fee subsidies here: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/get-help-fees 
• Many children with disability, including those who live with their grandparents, those whose parents wish to transition to work, and those facing financial hardship are eligible for additional fee subsidies: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/support-vulnerable-families  
• All early childhood facilities are required to make their services inclusive and can apply for funding to assist your child’s access to their service: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/implement-inclusive-practices 

FAMILY SUPPORT:

It has never been harder to be a parent than now, regardless of whether your child has disability, you are experiencing domestic violence, you are at risk of homelessness, are from a linguistically and culturally diverse background, are Indigenous, or any combination of these and other complexities. There are a variety of government-funded supports available to families, including: 

• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/parenting  
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/parenting/caring-for/resources  
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/parenting/caring-for/disability 
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/parenting/caring-for/disability/chapters/disability-services-and-support 
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/support-programs/all-families/general-support-and-counselling-numbers  
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/support-programs/all-families/family-connect-and-support 
• https://www.familyconnectsupport.dcj.nsw.gov.au/  
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/support-programs/all-families/brighter-futures 
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/services-and-support/programs/staying-home-leaving-violence?SQ_VARIATION_568329=0 
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/start-safely 
• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families/support-programs/all-families/integrated-services 

SCHOOL EDUCATION (INCLUDING EARLY INTERVENTION)

There are around 9 preschools on the sites of public schools in our area. Fees are low, with reductions for Health Care Card holders and Indigenous families. Enrolment is for 1 year prior to starting primary school:  

• https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/early-learning/department-preschools/enrolment  

Early Intervention Support Classes are run as 2.5hr blocks 2-3 days a week with a maximum of 8 children to 2 staff, for children aged 3-6. They are intended to be in addition to early childhood services your child accesses. Contact your local public school or call the delivery support team on 131 536 to be considered by the Placement Panel. 

Early Intervention Resource Support is where the early intervention teacher upskills your child’s early childhood service provider to provide early intervention at their usual service facility. 

Transition Support Teachers are available to support some children transitioning to Early Intervention or primary school: 

• https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/inclusive-learning-support/early-childhood-education/early-intervention  

The Department of Education is required to make their school accessible to your child’s needs and to provide equipment and support required to include your child in meaningful educational activities. Allied health provided in schools to facilitate this is paid for from the school’s RAM funding: 

• https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/disability-learning-and-support  
• https://www.education.gov.au/swd 

HIGHER EDUCATION & V.E.T.

The Department of Education helps school leavers:  

• https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/disability-learning-and-support/leaving-school/further-education-and-training 

EMPLOYMENT:

The Department of Education helps with employment and the following link also includes information on how Centrelink, JobAccess, Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services and Australian Disability Enterprises can help:  

• https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/disability-learning-and-support/leaving-school/employment  

There is also information about NSW government employment supports for people with disability: 

• https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/government-services/disability-services 

HOUSING:

The Department of Housing has a disability modifications policy: 

• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/disability-modifications-policy 

Physical Disability Council of NSW housing information can be found here: 

• https://www.pdcnsw.org.au/useful-resources/housing-and-accommodation/ 

INFRASTRUCTURE:

The Department of Infrastructure has information on making infrastructure more inclusive: 

• https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/local-government/awards/2019/factsheet_disability  
• https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility 

TRANSPORT:

A variety of transport options are listed here:  

• https://www.nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/government-services/disability-services 

JUSTICE:

The Department of Communities and Justice has a Disability Inclusion Action Plan: 

• https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/dcj/dcj-website/documents/about-us/diap/dcj-diap-2020-2024.pdf  

People with disability may need to attend court (e.g. as a witness) and support is available: 

• https://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/diversityservices/Pages/divserv/divserv_so_you_have_to_go_to_court.aspx  

Information on capacity assessment and assisted decision making is available: 

• https://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/diversityservices/Pages/divserv/ds_capacity_tool/ds_capacity_tool.aspx 

AGED CARE:

Some NDIS participants live in multigeneration families, while others are turning 65. These links provide information for supports available to older people in your family:  

• https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/coniston/service-and-support-for-older-people,-people-with-a-disability-and-their-families-and-carers 
• https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/carers/caring-someone-disability 

The government is committed to ensuring younger people do not live in residential aged care. If this affects your family, information can be found here: 

• https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/for-people-with-disability/younger-people-with-disability-in-residential-aged-care-initiative