Easy to understand NDIS Terminology
LAC – Local Area Coordinator
These people are assigned to work along with participants to set up a plan for the coming 12-24 months. Once the plan is finalized, they would send the plan for final approval to the NDIA. It is advised that you have all the plan related details organised before meeting with the LAC.
NDIA – National disability Insurance Agency
This is the name of the organisation that runs the NDIS.
NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme
This is the title of the insurance system that is functioning, and at times is mistaken for the agency that supervises it.
Agency Managed
The participant decides to allow the NDIA or the agency to manage the money for them rather than self-managing or using a Plan Manager.
Self-Managed
Self-managing your Plan means you manage the financial areas of the plan such as budgeting and claiming money through the portal to pay service providers.
Plan Managers
Plan managers are financial bodies, both private and not for profit, who claim money from the NDIS to pay for all the various NDIS-approved areas of a participant’s life from the plan.
Support Coordinator – Coordinator of Supports
Both these job roles are equally similar. Support Coordinators possess higher Qualification and therefore ought to be more skilled; whereas Coordinators of Supports perform the same role but at a cheaper rate. They both work for the participant by assisting them in finding services, using the plan and ensuring the funding is utilised efficiently.
Provider
A provider is an NDIS-approved company or disability service providing you with products or solutions that can be claimed through the NDIS.
Participant
When asking for a package from the NDIS you become a participant in the scheme, therefore allowing you to get a plan.
The Plan
The plan or package signifies an agreement between the participant and the NDIA, describing the details of what money is allocated to what area of the person’s life.
The Portal
The Portal is the digital system that enables the participant, provider and NDIA to connect. It also permits both parties to enter service bookings and claim funds from the NDIS. The participant, provider or Plan Manager is required to sign into the portal and get into a service reservation and then once the service is delivered the provider can sign back into the portal and claim the outstanding funds.
Service bookings
This is an agreement between the participant and the provider detailing what service is to be delivered and when.