Do you provide care for someone who is eligible to access the NDIS or do you yourself access this scheme?

Did you know that under the scheme if you disagree with a decision you have the right to appeal or request review of these decisions.  In fact, there are 26 different grounds open to review.

The Department of Social Services has commissioned a service to be provided nationally supporting people just like you.  This is a free service.

Please see this excerpt from The Department of Social Services Website:

NDIS Appeals Supports

• NDIS Appeals has been set up to ensure that all people with disability, and other people affected by reviewable decisions of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), have access to support when seeking review of those decisions in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).There are two types of supports available via NDIS Appeals:
  • access to a skilled disability advocate who acts as a support person, and
  • access to funding for legal services, where a case raises complex or novel legal issues.

  Support Persons are National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) disability advocates. They are available in every state and territory. A Support Person can help by:

  • explaining the review process, including what is involved in appealing to the AAT;
  • helping to prepare documents;
  • providing advice and skills so you can better represent yourself, or
  • attending AAT conferences and hearings to help you put your case to the AAT.

  While the focus of NDIS Appeals is advocacy support, funding for legal services is available where a case raises complex or novel legal issues. Legal services are provided by Legal Aid Commissions, which determine eligibility by assessing your application against publicly available criteria.

  All NDIS Appeals services are free of charge.

  NDIS Appeals services are not available to service providers.

  A pamphlet is available with more information on NDIS Appeals:

  • NDIS Appeals and External Merits Review Information

ACCESSING SUPPORT QUICK REFERENCE:

• Australian Capital Territory – ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Services
• New South Wales (Hunter) – Disability Advocacy NSW Inc
• New South Wales (Nepean Blue Mountains) – Disability Advocacy NSW Inc
• Northern Territory (Barkly) – Brain Injury SA Inc
• South Australia – Brain Injury SA Inc 
• Tasmania – Advocacy Tasmania Incorporated
• Victoria (Barwon) – Rights Information and Advocacy Centre Inc
• Western Australia – Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service (MIDLAS)
• Queensland – Independent Advocacy Townsville (IAT)

Legal services can only be accessed following a referral from the support person, Legal Aid Commission or other legal representative of the AAT applicant.

There is no cost to use the service.

You can find more SPECIFIC information via the Department of Social Services HERE!