NDIS Explained in Plain English | The Care Coordinators

— Knowledge hub

The NDIS, written down in plain English.

Everything we find ourselves explaining at kitchen tables — the guides, the glossary, and the checklists we use with participants. Free to read, free to print, no sign-up.

Most read

The question we're asked more than any other. One handles the money, the other helps you use the plan — and plenty of participants are funded for both without realising it.

Read the explainer
Support workers out in the community with a participant

Start here

New to the NDIS, or new to support coordination.

Reference

Glossary of NDIS terms

NDIA, LAC, SIL, SDA, Core, Capacity Building — the acronyms decoded, without the circular definitions.

Using your plan

Making the funding do what it's meant to do.

Your rights

Choice, control, and what to do when it isn't working.

— Glossary

The acronyms, decoded.

No circular definitions, no quoting the Act back at you. If a term you've been sent isn't here, ask us and we'll add it.

NDIA
The National Disability Insurance Agency — the government body that runs the NDIS, approves plans and employs planners.
LAC
Local Area Coordinator — a partner organisation worker who helps you apply, understand a plan and connect with community supports.
Core Supports
The most flexible budget: everyday assistance, consumables, community participation and transport. Usually movable between those categories.
Capacity Building
Funding to build skills and independence — support coordination, recovery coaching, most therapies. Not flexible between categories.
Capital Supports
Higher-cost items: assistive technology, equipment, home or vehicle modifications. Tied to specific quotes and approvals.
SIL
Supported Independent Living — funding for the help you need with daily tasks at home, separate from the house itself.
SDA
Specialist Disability Accommodation — funding for the dwelling itself, for people with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment.
Plan management
Who pays your invoices: self-managed (you), plan-managed (a plan manager) or NDIA-managed (the agency, registered providers only).
Service agreement
The written agreement between you and a provider: what they'll deliver, what it costs, notice periods and cancellation terms.
Reasonable and necessary
The test the NDIA applies to every funded support: related to your disability, value for money, effective, and not the job of another system.
Recovery coach
A worker funded for people with psychosocial disability, who builds a recovery plan with you and helps you steer your own supports.

— Take it with you

Printable checklists, on request.

We'll email any of these as a one-page PDF, in standard or easy-read format. No forms to fill in — just tell us which one.

Ask for a checklist

  • Plan review preparation

    What to gather, who to ask for reports, and the questions the planner will ask you.

  • Choosing a provider

    Five questions, plus the answers that should give you pause.

  • House visit questions for SIL

    What to look at, and what to ask the people already living there.

  • First meeting with a new coordinator

    What to bring, what to expect, and what you're entitled to ask for.

All the explainers in one place, or the short answers in FAQ form — whichever way you prefer to read.

— Every guide

The questions people actually ask us.

Comparison

SIL vs SDA

SIL funds the support people; SDA funds the building. Neither one pays your rent.

Read it →