A Guide to NDIS Words and Phrases

Written By Anna Dang

If you or someone you care for is an NDIS participant, opening a letter or reading a document from the NDIS can sometimes feel like you may need a dictionary to understand what certain words and phrases mean. In this easy to read guide, we explain some of the common words used by the NDIS and what they mean. For the full list, you can also visit the NDIS website glossary page.

At a glance

  • The NDIS uses specific words to keep things consistent and help everyone follow the same guidelines.

  • This guide explains some of the common words used and what they mean.

  • Always check the NDIS website for the most up to date information.

  • You can also request NDIS information in accessible formats such as Auslan, large print or translated materials if you need them.

Why does the NDIS use so many different words and names?

The NDIS is set up under laws and rules. To follow those rules, the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) uses clear and consistent words and names.

For example, 'choice and control' has a specific meaning about the participant's right to decide how their supports are arranged.

Using defined names and words:

  • helps everyone follow the same rules and guidelines

  • keeps things consistent across Australia

The downside is that NDIS documents can sometimes be hard to read.

The official NDIS wording always comes first and can change over time. If you need more detail always check the NDIS website for the latest information.

17 NDIS words and phrases you'll come across

A

📄 Access request & applicant

An access request is the formal application to join the NDIS. The person applying is called an applicant until a decision is made. A person usually completes an access request form and provide reports and documents about their disability and the impact it has had on their lives.

♿  Assistive technology (AT)

Equipment or devices that help someone do things they can't do because of their disability or to make tasks safer and easier.

Examples include:

  • wheelchairs or walkers

  • shower rails

  • special cutlery or electronic jar openers

If your loved one needs equipment, ask about assistive technology during planning meetings.

C

🫶 Carer

A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a person with disability. Often this is a parent, partner, sibling or other family member. The NDIS recognises the important role of carers. However, NDIS funding pays for supports for the participant, not for carers themselves.

Check in

A check in is a conversation with an NDIA planner or NDIS partner to see how a plan is going and whether anything needs to change.

✅ Choice and control

Choice and control means the participant has the right to choose and make decisions about who provides their NDIS supports, decide how and when supports are delivered, and choose how their funding is managed.

F

⏰ Funding component amount & funding period

An NDIS plan is divided into different funding components for different types of supports. Each component has:

  • A funding amount (how much money is in that part).

  • A funding period (how long that money is meant to last).

You can read more about NDIS funding components in our blog on Changes to the NDIS Legislation.

G

🎯 Goals

Goals are the things a person wants to work towards with the help of the NDIS. They might include learning to cook safely, starting or finishing a course, finding a job or work experience, or joining a club or community group.

Goals guide what NDIS supports may be funded.

I

👥 Informal support

Help from family, friends and neighbours that is not paid and not funded by the NDIS. Examples include a partner, husband or wife helping with daily care or a friend driving someone to medical appointments.

The NDIS recognises informal supports when making funding decisions, but it does not pay carers for this support.

L

🤝 Local Area Coordinator (LAC)

Local Area Coordinators work for partner organisations in the community that are funded by the NDIA.

They are part of a Local Area Coordination program to help support people who are living with a disability to access a range of community and mainstream supports and services.

Anyone living with a disability (aged between 9 and 64 years) can access these supports, whether or not they are accessing the NDIS.

LACs can be a good first contact when you're not sure where to start.

It's important to know that the Local Area Coordinator (LAC) does not work for the NDIA.

N

📂 NDIS, NDIA and NDIS plan

  • NDIS - The National Disability Insurance Scheme. This is Australia's scheme that funds supports for people living with a disability.

  • NDIA - The National Disability Insurance Agency. This government agency that runs the NDIS.

  • NDIS plan - A written document developed with the participant. It sets out personal details, goals and funded supports and budgets.

👤 Nominee

A nominee is a person formally appointed to act or make decisions on behalf of a participant. Types of nominees include child representatives, correspondence nominees and plan nominees. Carers can often become nominees so they can manage the plan, speak with providers and handle day to day decisions.

P

🧑‍🦽 Participant

A person who gets NDIS support.

📘 Plan

A document that shows:

  • your goals

  • your NDIS funding

  • the supports you can use

🗓️ Plan meetings (planning and implementation)

A planning meeting is where you and your NDIA planner talk about your goals, current supports and what you need funded in the next plan.

A plan implementation meeting happens after an NDIS plan is approved or when you need help using it. It focuses on how to put the plan into action.

📂 Plan managed funding

With plan management, a registered plan manager like BCD will receive and pay for invoices for NDIS supports from a participants NDIS plan, on their behalf. They keep financial records and track the plan spending.

The NDIA provides separate funding for plan management, so it does not come out of other supports.

You can read more about the different types of plan management in our blog post here.

R

⚖️ Reasonable and necessary NDIS supports

This phrase is at the heart of NDIS funding. The NDIS funds supports that are related to the person's disability, and are aligned with their NDIS plan and goals. These are called NDIS supports.

The NDIS laws determine what can and can't be funded.

✅ Registered NDIS provider

To become a registered NDIS Provider, an organisation like BCD:

  • Has to meet strict conditions for the quality and safety of supports and services provided

  • Be registered, audited and regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

  • A registered NDIS provider can't charge you more than the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

All providers (registered or unregistered) must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct.

If your NDIS funding is NDIA-managed, you can only use NDIS registered providers to deliver your services.

S

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Support/ Care Worker

A support/care worker helps you with:

  • daily activities

  • going out

  • building independence

🛌 Short Term Respite

Short term respite gives participants time apart from their usual care while giving primary informal supports (family, friends or carers) a short break so they can continue in their caring role.

It is generally for participants who live with their carers or receive daily drop-in support, is usually funded for up to 28 days per year.

Short term respite may include help with everyday activities and standard accommodation but does not cover holidays, activities, entertainment tickets or travel costs. You have control over how you use it, but it must come from your core budget and align with your plan.

🏡 Supported Independent Living (SIL)

Supported Independent Living is a type of support for people who need a high level of help at home, often 24/7. It can include help with personal care, support with cooking and daily tasks and supervision for safety.

SIL funding covers paid support workers. It does not cover rent, food or everyday bills

At BCD, our Respite, Short-term Accommodation and Supported Independent Living give families a much-needed break while helping live more independently and feel connected to a supportive community.

We're a registered NDIS provider for Assistance with daily life tasks in a group or shared living arrangement, which covers both Supported Independent Living (SIL) and short term respite (previously Short Term Accommodation).

Still have questions?

Check out our FAQs page or our helpful guides on Supported Independent Living, the NDIS and more on our News page.

Need Help?

If you're looking for support, we're here to help. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to learn more about our disability support. . Call the BCD team on 1800 275 223, we're here to help you.

At BCD, our disability support services are all about helping individuals with disabilities achieve their goals, grow their independence, and enjoy a life full of possibilities.

Sources used

• NDIS website -Glossary: official definitions of phrases https://www.ndis.gov.au/glossary

• NDIS website- Supported Independent Living for participants: https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/supported-independent-living-participants

• NDIS website- Short term respite: https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/how-we-can-help-carers/short-term-respite

This article is general information only and does not replace professional or legal advice. It is based on publicly available NDIS information and the official NDIS Glossary as at 7 December 2025.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, we encourage you to visit the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date and official information.

Anna Dang
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