Determining Access

Role of GPs General Practitioners are: An important and reputable source of information for the local community GPs will help the public understand more about the NDIS GPs provide a person centred approach to their clients General Practitioners and other health professionals may be asked to provide evidence to support a request to access the NDIS. GPs play an important role in their local community as a reliable and reputable source of information for supports and services that are available to assist their clients. GPs will help the public to understand how the NDIS works and how GPs and mainstream healthcare will interact with the Scheme. GPs provide a person centered approach to their clients and looks at a whole person approach to their care – just like the Scheme. General Practitioners and other health professionals may be asked to provide evidence to support a request to access the NDIS. This may involve: • completing the NDIS Supporting Evidence Form or sections of the Access Request Form; • documenting that the person has or is likely to have a permanent disability; and • providing copies of reports or assessments relevant to the diagnosis that outline the extent of the functional impact of the disability.

Access Request Forms (ARF) The ARF is split into the following 8 areas: Part A: The individual’s details Part B: Privacy consent Part C: Contact information Part D: Parent, legal guardian details Part E: Carers details Part F: Disability supports Part G: Change of circumstances Part H: Signature (Declaration) To become a participant of the NDIS. Participants will need to complete an Access Request Form (ARF). However in some states and territories people who are currently already receiving supports will transition into the NDIS first. If they are already receiving supports from such a program or service, then they will receive a letter followed by a phone call from an NDIS representative when it is time to transition. The ARF is split into the following 8 areas: Part A: The individual’s details Their full name, date of birth, address details. Part B: Privacy consent Outlines the NDIA’s privacy obligation and request for their DHS Customer Reference number to verify their age and proof of address. If they don’t provide consent for us to use their CRN, they will need to provide us with certified copies of the relevant information before we proceed with their application. Part C: Contact information such as their preferences for emails or letters, need for an interpreter, etc. Part D: Parent, legal guardian details (if applicable) If a person is under 18, this section will need to be completed by their parent or legal guardian. You must also make note of their relationship to the applicant, e.g. son or daughter. Part E: Carers details If the participant has a carer or a family member which they would like to be involved in the planning process, please provide their details here. Part F: Disability or Early intervention supports This part is arguably the most important section of the access request form as it’s the evidence of disability. This will be further explained in the next slide. Part G: Change of circumstances Outlines the obligation the applicant has to notify the NDIA of a change of their circumstances, such as moving address, change in their support needs, etc. Part H: Signature (Declaration) Essentially a declaration that the form and all details provided are true and correct. If the access request form is completed by another person, they will need to note this here, and identify their relationship.

Evidence of Disability The NDIA requires supporting information relating to: Mobility Communication Social interaction Learning Self-care Self-management The Evidence of Disability requests information relating to their primary disability (the disability that has the greatest impact on their life), as well as any other disabilities that affect them. We do ask if the applicant has received compensation for any injuries which form part of their application to join the NDIS. If they have received compensation, then they will be requested at a later stage to provide additional documentation. Receiving compensation does not make them excluded from being a participant, but their settlement may have included supports for daily living, which will be taken into consideration when determining the amount of support we provide. Compensation for pain and suffering or income replacement will not affect any support the NDIS provides. This section of the ARF requires information around the individual’s mobility, communication, social interaction, learning and self-care or their ability to self-manage. For Mobility, we are after information about their ability to walk around the home, whether they have any home modifications or use walking sticks as an example. For Communication, we are wanting to learn more about their ability to speak and write, and whether they can express their needs. For Social interaction, we are wanting to know more about their ability to interact with the local community, whether they can manage their emotions and whether they can make and keep friends. For Learning, we are after information which allows us to understand their ability to remember, learn and practice new skills. For self-care, this refers to showering, dressing, eating and their ability to care for their own health. Self management is not applicable for children under 8 years of age, but if they are older, then provide details relating to their decision making ability, and whether they can manage their own finances.

Information from health professionals Diagnosis (if known) Copy of Assessments/Reports specific to disability e.g. • Level of lesion SCI • ASIA Score • Modified Rankin Scale (Stroke) • DSM ID and ASD Completion of Functional Impact against categories in the Evidence of Disability Information from Health Professionals   Diagnosis (if known) Copy of Assessments/Reports specific to disability e.g. Level of lesion SCI ASIA Score Modified Rankin Scale (Stroke) DSM ID and ASD Completion of Functional Impact against ICF categories (slide 21) When providing Evidence of Disability, we require an allied health professional to make the required diagnosis. This health professional is also able to complete the access request form in addition to providing the diagnosis reports. A GP is able to provide us the relevant assessment or reports in their documentation, but it needs to be a professional who is experienced in that field. Traditionally most GPs provide us with the relevant supporting documents and complete the rest of the Access Request Form on their behalf. With diagnoses, we require the relevant assessment tool to be used by an allied health professional. With autism as an example, a paediatrician using DSM-5 to diagnose Autism is accepted, where as a speech pathologist diagnosing autism with no assessment tool, will not be accepted. It is important to highlight that we can only make a decision based on the information we receive. The NDIA can request additional information, but this will cause a time delay in the participant’s application. If we receive information which goes against the applicant’s request to join the NDIS, this will be taken into consideration.

Requesting Access For people receiving support from a State funded program, the NDIS will make contact If they are not receiving any support, the person or their carer will need to contact the NDIS (1800 800 110) to request an Access Request Form If they do not have the information or reports they will request assistance from a GP Completed forms are returned to NDIS NDIS Access team will follow up with participant to finalise Access decision For people receiving support from a State funded program, the NDIS will make contact If they are not receiving any support, the person or their carer will need to contact the NDIS (1800 800 110) to request an Access Request Form If they do not have the information or reports they will request assistance from a GP Completed forms are returned to NDIS NDIS Access team will follow up with participant to finalise Access decision

What is the NDIS? The NDIS is a new way of providing disability support that takes a lifetime approach. Can I access the NDIS? You can access the NDIS depending on your age, residency and disability. My first plan Your first plan is the start of a lifelong relationship with the NDIS. Starting my plan You can choose the providers you want. Your existing provider may need to continue to deliver some supports initially. Reviewing my plan We review your plan with you every 12 months to make sure you’re getting the support you need.

Questions? Contacts and more information: www.ndis.gov.au Phone : 1 800 800 110 FaceBook and Twitter Questions?