You may be thinking about a lot of things if you or someone you know is living with a disability in Victoria. What support is available? What are your funding options? What is the NDIS designed to do, and how does it operate “on the ground”? So how can you find a provider whom you can truly trust?
It’s a journey that can be daunting at first, and you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are services and programs in Victoria that are well-developed to support people at all stages of their lives. This guide can be the help you need, and it breaks it down in simple, easy-to-understand terms, so you can get the help you deserve.
Disability Support Services Victoria: What are they?
Disability Support Services Victoria (DSS Victoria) is a term used to describe all the care programs, funded supports and specialist services that are available to assist people with disabilities to live an independent, connected and fulfilled life. This includes from hands-on personal care and domestic support to occupational therapy and employment support, community involvement and accommodation support.
Most eligible Victorians are funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). While the Victorian Government may not provide funding to the NDIS, it does fund a number of programs directly through DFFH, which may be open to those who do not meet the criteria for the NDIS.
A clear aim in all of this is an aim to ensure that persons with disability have a genuine choice, control and opportunity in all areas of their lives.
Who can access Disability Support Services in Victoria?
There are three core criteria to access Disability Support Services Victoria (NDIS):
- Be younger than 65 at the time of your first application
- Have Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa
- Have a permanent and significant disability that significantly impacts one’s ability to perform daily activities
If you can, you can make an Access Request to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). If you are eligible, you enter the planning stage, and you will have your own funding package created, which will be tailored to your individual goals and support needs.
The Victorian Government has a number of other programs funded, such as early childhood programs, specialist disability accommodation supports and carer assistance programs, for those who do not meet NDIS eligibility requirements.
Various Categories of Disability Support Services Available in Victoria
There are various categories of disability support services available in Victoria. Victoria provides a variety of categories of support services for the disabled.
Disability support is not just one service; it’s a whole system of services tailored to individual needs. Let’s take a quick look at some of the main Disability Support Services Victoria provides:
Care for Daily Living and Personal Care
Care for daily living and personal care.Care for daily living and personal care (DLP).
Activities supported include things such as showering, dressing, preparing meals and taking medicines. The goal is to maximise the participants’ independence in their everyday life.
Therapeutic Supports
These are occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, psychology and behaviour support. The services are focused on long-term skill development, addressing functional issues, and enhancing quality of life.
Community Participation
Assistance with social events, recreational programs, community events and day services. Maintaining engagement and connection is a key factor in wellbeing, and this kind of support enables participation.
Supported Independent Living (SIL)
If a person or persons need assistance in their own residence, SIL funding includes assistance provided on a day-to-day basis, including in a shared living arrangement or in a single person’s home.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
SDA can only be used for people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs who require purpose-built or highly specialised housing. It is a separate funding and not available to all participants, which is not included in SIL.
Transport Assistance
Educational support to attend medical visits, therapy, work or community events — especially for people who do not have a car or regular public transport.
Employment Supports
The NDIS and Disability Employment Services (DES) provide a range of support to help Victorians with disabilities to find, prepare for and sustain a meaningful job. This support will also involve workplace adjustments and assistance on the job as required.
Early Intervention for Children
The NDIS can provide funding for the early intervention services of children who show early signs of developmental delay or disability. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that early and effective interventions have an impact on children and families for the better that is substantial and enduring.
An Overview of How the NDIS Works in Victoria
The NDIS is a national scheme, and is delivered locally in Victoria through a network of Local Area Coordinators (LACs), NDIS planners and registered support providers.
Here are the tasks involved in practice:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Call 1800 800 110 or check the NDIS website to find out if you might be eligible. Your GP or treating specialist may also be able to advise you on any other documentation you’ll require.
Step 2: Fill out Your Access Request
Fill out and submit the Access Request Form with a health professional’s statement. This evidence must substantiate the type, duration and effect of the disability on your day-to-day functioning.
Step 3: Planning Meeting
After approval, you will meet with an NDIS Planner or LAC to discuss your goals, the supports you have and what supports you need to live a full and meaningful life. Be clear and candid in this discussion; the more precise you can be, the better your plan will represent your needs.
Step 4: Start Using Your Plan
Once you have received approval for your plan, you can start reaching out to Disability Support Services Victoria providers to work with them to provide your funded supports. Take time and shop around.
Step 5: Decide How Your Plan is Managed
There are 3 ways to manage your plan: NDIA-managed plan, plan-managed plan or self-managed plan. Victoria has the lowest rate of single plan managers—most participants choose plan management, which provides greater flexibility without the onus of administration.
Annual Plan Review
NDIS Plans are reviewed on an annual basis (every year). It is also possible to apply for an early review anytime if your needs change, your needs grow, or your current funding is not enough.
Choosing the Best Disability Service Provider in Victoria
Choosing the best disability service provider in Victoria is never easy.
One of the most individual choices you’ll make throughout this process is when picking a provider. When assessing Disability Support Services Victoria providers, look for these:
NDIS Registration
For NDIS plans, all plans need to be managed by the NDIA, and you must use NDIS registered providers. Plan-managed or self-managed, you can use both registered and unregistered providers.
Experience with the Type of Disability
Not all providers have experience with your specific disability. Specifically ask if they have any experience helping participants who have the same condition or complex needs.
Personalised Matching
Prior to your support worker being allocated, a quality provider will make time to understand your communication style, preferences and personality. When a provider approaches you without talking to you, it is a red flag.
Communication and Responsiveness
Always feel informed, heard and respected. Good Disability Support Services Victoria providers clearly communicate, respond promptly to concerns and treat you as a partner in your own care.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance and accountability of all registered providers across the country, including registered providers in Victoria. If you have concerns about a provider’s compliance history, you can check on their website.
Understanding the Challenges and How to Deal with Them
Understanding the challenges and how to deal with them.Identifying and dealing with common challenges.
With a satisfactory system in place, there are real challenges in Disability Support Services Victoria. The most common are listed here, and what can be done about them:
Inadequate Initial Plans
Many people who start the NDIS for the first time have plans that don’t adequately reflect their needs. If so, ask for a plan review and obtain new evidence from health providers. Planning meetings can make a big difference with the help of a Support Coordinator or disability advocate.
Workforce Availability
There are often more challenges in rural and regional Victoria to find available support workers. Having multiple providers on the register and looking into self-management and the hiring of independent workers directly to alleviate this pressure.
Budget Categories
Plans fall into three categories – Core, Capacity Building and Capital Supports. It is important to know how each one works and what it can be used for, so that you can get the best out of your plan and not get frustrated.
Access to Quality Disability Support Services Matters because
When it comes to disability support, having a consistent, compassionate and well-suited approach really does make a difference in someone’s life. It’s not all about physical needs. Good Disability Support Services Victoria can give people greater confidence, a brighter outlook on mental health, better social connections and opportunities to work, be independent or participate in the community that may not have been visible before.
It’s not an expensive business to invest in high-quality disability support that is high-quality. It’s a step towards a more equal, more inclusive Victoria where people with disabilities can live on their own terms and full lives.
If you don’t know where to start, please contact your local NDIS office, a disability advocacy organisation or talk to a Support Coordinator who will take you through the process, step by step.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between the NDIS and Disability Support Services Victoria?
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) is a federal government funding scheme that offers funding packages to eligible Australian people with permanent and significant disabilities. Disability support services in Victoria: This term describes the wider system of disability supports, programs and services that are provided in Victoria. Some of these services are funded by the NDIS; others are funded directly by the Victorian Government, such as some specialist accommodation options and early childhood services for individuals who are not eligible for the NDIS. The two systems function concurrently, not independently and an understanding of both is helpful in planning your support journey.
What is the process for applying for disability supports in Victoria?
The main route is via the NDIS. Ask for appointment first by calling 1800 800 110 or visit the NDIS website to see if you are eligible. You will need to fill in an Access Request Form and have supporting documentation from a health professional (e.g. GP, specialist, allied health practitioner) to confirm your disability and that it is permanent and severe enough to require access. If you are eligible, you will meet with a Local Area Coordinator or NDIS planner to guide you through a planning process to create your funded support plan. Once you’ve done this, you can start working with providers to provide your services.
In Victoria, are there support workers that I can choose myself?
Yes. Participant choice and control is one of the key principles of the NDIS. You have the right as a person with a disability (NDIS participant) in Victoria to have supports delivered by the people you choose. If you are using a plan-managed or self-managed plan, you have access to a wider range of workers, such as independent support workers sourced by yourself. You also can cancel the contract of your support worker or service provider if it does not meet your needs. The comfort, safety and preferences of your needs always come first.
If my NDIS plan doesn’t include every support I need, what can I do?
If you are not happy with your current NDIS plan, you can ask the NDIA to review your plan. Prepare new documentation from your health professionals who are involved in your treatment: new medical reports, letters of recommendation, or other documentation that shows how your disability affects your ability to function. A review with a Support Coordinator or registered disability advocate may be very helpful in supporting your case. While your review is being considered, it is worth considering if any Victorian Government-funded programs can assist in the gap until then.
Do any disability support services exist in regional and rural Victoria?
Yes, disability support services are available in Victoria, including in the regional and rural areas. The number of providers and support workers may be less in rural areas outside of metropolitan Melbourne, and for some people in remote communities, there could be longer waiting times. The NDIS does provide for people in thin markets (where there are fewer providers), and there has been a big increase in telehealth supports, which have improved access to supports such as occupational therapy and psychology, particularly for people in rural areas. Talking with your LAC about the alternatives you have in your area is important if you live away from a large city.
What is a Support Coordinator, and do I need one?
A Support Coordinator helps you to understand your plan, access the right service providers, address issues and develop skills and capacity to manage your supports on your own over time, all while supported by the professional services funded by your NDIS plan. Support Coordination is not provided to all participants, but it can be added to a plan for participants with more complex or multiple support needs. For many, a Support Coordinator is one of the most helpful supports along the way when operating the NDIS if they are new to the system, getting a high level of support or finding the system hard to navigate.
In Victoria, how often are NDIS plans reviewed?
The review of NDIS plans is a regular practice in Victoria and occurs every 12 months. But the participants don’t have to stick to this annual schedule. If a person’s situation changes, such as if their disability becomes more complex, a significant life change occurs (e.g., leaving hospital, moving from school, etc.), or if the current plan funding is inadequate to address the person’s daily needs, they can request an unscheduled plan review at any time. Begin thinking about your review several months before by collecting new evidence from the health team and reviewing what has and has not been successful in your plan period.
