Myths about NDIS funding for mental health (psychosocial disability)
The NDIS has provided clarification on the follow frequently asked questions about government funding that Australian residents may access through the NDIS for mental health (psychosocial disability).
The NDIS doesn’t support mental health, so I can’t receive NDIS support.
False. The NDIS is for anyone who meets the eligibility requirements. It is not the diagnosis that is most important, but the level of impairment, or functional capacity. There are many people who access the NDIS for mental health conditions that affect their ability to do daily life tasks. One of the most important things when it comes to accessing the NDIS is having evidence of how your disability or mental health disorder affects your day-to-day life and ability to do certain things.
The NDIA does not recognise psychosis as a mental health condition.
False. Psychotic disorders include a range of diagnostic categories, some of which may be brief in nature. People who experience psychosis may be eligible for individualised NDIS support if they meet the access requirements.
I have used my 10 sessions of psychology under my Medicare funded mental health care plan, I can access the NDIS to top up my mental health care plan.
False. The NDIS does not fund therapy to address symptoms, it funds ongoing functional support for day-to-day living. Treatment supports are not most appropriately funded by the NDIS.
NDIS does not require that you access a mental health care plan and is not able to top up funding if you have such a plan. If the only support you require is treatment, it is likely you will not be eligible for the NDIS (because you do not require NDIS support with everyday activities).
My family member has recently begun to experience severe mental health issues. It is best for me to access the NDIS individualised support (an NDIS plan) early to prevent these issues from becoming lifelong.
False. As agreed between Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, early intervention services for people experiencing mental health issues are generally provided by mainstream services outside the NDIS.
If I am not eligible for individualised NDIS support (an NDIS plan) the NDIS will not assist me any further.
False. If you do not meet the access requirements for the NDIS, you will be linked to an LAC who can help connect you to local community and mainstream supports. Contact the NDIS by phone: 1800 800 110 Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au or NDIS Website
If a person experiences “good days” the NDIA determine they do not have substantially reduced capacity.
False. The NDIA looks at the person’s ability to function in the periods between acute episodes, not at any given point in time. It is irrelevant whether a person applies to the NDIS when they are acutely unwell or feeling particularly well.
A person who has not worked for 20 years because of their mental health condition must have substantially reduced capacity.
False. The NDIA looks at day-to-day functioning and considers what people can do as well as what they cannot do within the six life skill areas. Not being able to work because of a mental health condition does not, in isolation, demonstrate substantially reduced capacity in one of the life skill areas.
My ability to do day-to-day activities is substantially reduced in comparison to what it was before my mental health concerns began, so I should meet the NDIS access requirements.
False. Substantially reduced functional capacity does not involve a comparison with levels of functional capacity previously enjoyed. It is a comparison with a person in the community who has not experienced similar impairment.
Only a psychiatrist can provide the best evidence of a person’s functional capacity.
False. Psychiatrists can provide evidence of functional capacity however, appropriately qualified mental health professionals such as mental health nurses can also provide evidence. Depending on the nature of the doctor/patient relationship a psychiatrist may be well positioned to provide evidence of functional capacity. The NDIA will consider the qualification of the person giving evidence and the relationship they have with you.
The NDIA will make clinical judgments about appropriate treatment/interventions for an individual.
False. The treating clinician will decide on appropriate treatment and/or interventions for an individual. The NDIA requires evidence that provides a history of treatment and the rationale relating to any decisions made by the clinician not to pursue a known treatment/intervention option.
The NDIA requires personal and intrusive information relating to trauma and abuse to demonstrate permanence of impairment.
False. The NDIA does not require specific information identifying a trigger for a mental health condition and is respectful of a person’s right to privacy. There is no need to share private information relating to trauma and/or abuse with NDIA staff.
The NDIA will not accept a person has a likely permanent impairment unless they have had years of treatment/intervention.
False. The treating clinician confirms how much treatment/intervention is required for an individual before an impairment can be considered permanent. The NDIA requests that clinicians provide clinical rationale to support that an impairment is likely to remain across a person’s lifetime (especially where there are any unusual circumstances).
If a person’s impairment caused by their mental health condition is accepted as likely to be permanent then they will meet the NDIS disability requirements for individualised support.
False. Likely permanence of impairment alone is not enough to meet the NDIS disability requirements. Other factors are also considered which include that the impairment resulted in a substantial reduction in everyday functioning. For more details refer to Snapshot 4.
If a person has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, which they have lived with for a number of years, they will automatically meet the NDIS access criteria.
False. No specific mental health diagnosis will automatically meet or not meet the NDIS access criteria. Access decisions are made on individual circumstances and not specifically centred on the diagnosis, rather the impact that this mental health condition has on a person’s daily life.
If a person has co-existing drug and/or alcohol dependency they will not be eligible for the NDIS.
False. If you are seeking to access the NDIS with a psychosocial disability, the NDIA needs to know that the impairment is because of a mental health condition. If that is the case, a person can meet the NDIS access requirements, regardless of any co-existing dependency issue(s). A potential participant may be accessing, or planning to access treatment, for co-existing substance dependency at the time of access and throughout any ongoing relationship with the NDIS.
I have an episodic condition therefore I cannot access the NDIS.
False. Many NDIS participants experience episodic conditions resulting in disability. An episodic condition is not a barrier to accessing the NDIS.
I need to provide information about my ‘worst days’.
False. The NDIA needs to know how the impairment/s from your mental health issues impact your day-to-day functioning. If your mental health issues are episodic, the NDIA will need to know about how you function between episodes (not on particularly good or bad days).
To meet the NDIS access requirements, I need to prove I’ve exhausted all treatment options.
False. There is no requirement that all known treatments have to be completed. The NDIA needs to know what treatments/interventions have been explored – ones that you have tried and ones that you and your clinician have decided not to try – and why the impairment will remain even when treatment continues.
The NDIS will replace Community Mental Health Services.
False. The NDIS will not replace community-based support or medical/clinical care for people living with mental health conditions. The NDIS can provide support to increase independence, be part of your community, and participate in work.
If my support needs reduce my NDIS access will stop.
The NDIS is for support that is intended to be lifelong. To gain access to the NDIS there needs to be evidence that your support needs are permanent, but this does not mean that your needs must be the same throughout your life. Everyone, disability or not, has different needs at different stages of their lives. If you access NDIS support and this support helps improve your ability to live day to day, then you can adjust your supports at any time without losing them altogether.
I can’t access the NDIS and Disability Support Pension at the same time.
The NDIS is not means tested so you absolutely can receive the Disability Support Pension while also accessing NDIS supports. Anyone can access the NDIS regardless of their financial situation, as long as they meet the age, residency, and disability requirements.
Visit the NDIS website for more information about mental health and NDIS, and the requirements for applying.