NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
The NDIS provides Federal funding through the NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency) for all children with significant functional and developmental difficulties. For further information please refer to the Early Intervention Services page.
Better Start for Children with Disabilities
Please note that the Better Start funding has now been replaced by the NDIS.
School services (DEECD and Catholic Education Office)
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) and the Catholic Education Office both have funding criteria for Physical Disability, which may be accessed by the child's school depending on the extent of the child’s disability. The school is responsible for submitting an application, generally requiring a letter of support from the treating paediatrician.
See Community Services index for further information and relevant links.
Carer's Allowance and Payment
Carer’s Allowance (approx. $120/fortnight, non-means tested) and/or Carer’s Payment (approx. $780/fortnight, means tested) are available through Centrelink to some children diagnosed with disabilities or developmental delay, dependent on the level of impairment of the child.
Certain conditions grant automatic access to a Carer's Allowance.