The NDIS is working towards all Australians being treated the same way. So, the NDIS will look at whether there are other services that you can use first. These are called mainstream or universal services.
Mainstream services can be used by all people, whether thyey have a disability or not.
Some mainstream services are:
– Health – doctors, community family health services, hospitals
– Education – child health centres, schools, colleges, universities
– Transport – public transport
– Justice – police and prisons
– Child Safety and Family Support – make sure children are safe
– Employment – help to find a job and stay employed
– Housing – help to find accommodation.
The NDIS is meant to add extra support to these services if you need it, not replace them. See Get Started for more information about the NDIS and mainstream services.
If the NDIS tells you that they cannot fund you for something, they will help you to get the support from a mainstream system. The will do this by referring you to an NDIS Local Area Coordinator who will help you to find and get the supports that you need.
GET STARTED
What mainstream services do you use?
Do you need any extra support to get a better service or better results? You may like to do some planning to work this out. The NDIS website has booklets to help, take a look at Participant Booklet 2 – Planning.
Find out about what other government services or payments you might be able to apply for. Check out Centrelink’s Payment and Service Finder.
Find other government services at the Service Tasmania government service finder.
ACTION STEPS
Here you can find a simple list of the best actions to take if you are interested in this topic:
1 .
Have a look at your goals Are there mainstream services like the ones in the list that might be able to help?
2 .
Do you need help? You can ask family and friends to help you find out more about what is available, or you can contact a Local Area Coordinator.
3 .
Talk to your doctor or therapist or your community health service They will be able to help you work out what other services might be able to help.
4 .
Contact a disability organisation These organisations provide information, advocacy and support to help you find and get the services you need.