Living well with disability: What financial support are you entitled to?

Estimated reading time
 5 min

In this article

• Getting started with the NDIS
• Different Government support and schemes available
• Concession cards and what they are used for
• The support available from your bank

There are many types of support available for people with disability.

But navigating these systems and ensuring you’re getting the right assistance for your needs can feel overwhelming.

Whether you’re a person with disability, a carer, or a loved one, understanding the support you’re entitled to can help bring stability and peace of mind.

We’re here to help simplify the process, providing you with information on the key support systems that can help you and your loved ones live well with disability.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support and services to more than 630,000 Australians living with disability.

So, can anyone with disability become a NDIS participant? The short answer is no, there are some eligibility criteria you or a loved one will have to meet in order to qualify:

• You must be aged between 9 and 65.
• You must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a special category visa holder.
• You must have a disability caused by a permanent impairment – this includes intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, physical, or psychosocial.

You must also require support in one, or all, of the following ways:

1. To complete daily life activities.

2. If support now will lead to a reduced need for future assistance.

3. Support in educating and equipping family members that will help you in the future.

What can the NDIS support you with?

There are many things the NDIS can help you (or a family member) with, including:

• Completing daily activities.
• Workplace support.
• Transport to participate in daily activities, like going to work or community events.
• Accessing therapies to support your health and function.
• Accessing mobility equipment.
• Assistance with daily household tasks to maintain your lifestyle and independence.
• Help from skilled personnel in setting up, maintaining or using aids or equipment.
• Help with home modification design and construction, and vehicle modification.

How can you apply to the NDIS?

Depending on your age (or the age of the person you’re applying for), you can apply for the NDIS through your local area coordinator or early childhood partner. They will be your advocate through the process, from start to end. If you live in an area without support partners, you can call the NDIS on 1800 800 110.

Other support from the government

The Australian Government offers other avenues of support for people with disability and their carers, including:

The Disability Gateway

The Disability Gateway has lots of information about the support available in each state and territory. The website also has information about different services such as education, employment and housing. Plus, there’s a section for carers– just click on the state or territory you’re in to find a list of local services.

Services Australia

The Disability Support Pension (DPS) is financial support from the government. You’re eligible for this payment if you have a disability that stops you from working and will last for more than two years. If you’re a carer, you might be eligible for the Carer Allowance or Carer Payment, which can help support you financially.

Concession cards

If you receive disability financial support from the government, you could be eligible for a healthcare or concession card. These cards can reduce the cost of medicine, healthcare, public transport and more.

There are different concession cards available to suit individual circumstances:

• The Pensioner Concession Card is available to anyone who receives certain supports from the government, such as the DPS, Carer Payment and more. You can also have this card if you’re over 55 years old and/or have a partial capacity to work. Benefits of this card include discounts on medicine and public transport among others.
• The Low-income Healthcare Card is available to those who meet the income test limit, which can vary depending on your circumstances. With this card, you have access to cheaper medicine and healthcare, a bigger refund from Medicare and other discounts.

How can your bank support you?

All banks can help you manage your finances. At ANZ, we’re dedicated to helping you bank smarter and in a way that meets your needs.

We’re ready to chat in any way that suits you, such as in Braille or Easy Read. And if you’re deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impediment, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. Should you experience any concerns within our branches, or in accessing our online banking materials, we want to hear about it. You can reach out and speak to us directly.

We also actively hire people with disability to create a supportive and inclusive banking environment from the inside out. Our Disability Action Plan explains how we’re making banking more access for people with disability.

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