National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial disability. The NDIS has been rolled out nationally across all states and territories and is now available to all eligible Australians. The NDIS roll out in all areas of Western Australia was complete as of 30 June 2020.

The Department of Communities (Office of Disability) is the lead Western Australian State Government agency working with the Commonwealth and National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to negotiate the WA NDIS full-scheme bilateral agreement. ‘The Office will also have a role in informing and advising government on the experiences between Western Australians with disability, their families and carers and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)’.

The Mental Health Commission is actively involved, working with State and Commonwealth agencies to inform legislation, strategy and policy related to psychosocial disability within the NDIS.

Am I eligible for the NDIS?

If you are receiving a service from a community mental health clinic, a Commission funded community service or other State or Commonwealth funded mental health program you can ask your provider for help. Your GP may also provide some direction and guidance about the steps required. You may also be eligible for the NDIS if you are not currently receiving these types of services.

Use the NDIS Eligibility checklist to confirm your eligibility and learn how to apply.

This NDIS website will help you understand what is happening in Western Australia and inform you of services available to help you test your eligibility.

What other services are there for people not eligible for the NDIS?

Visit the Mental Health Commission’s ‘Getting help – finding a service’ page here for information on the hundreds of mental health and alcohol and other drug services across Western Australia.

Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA)

The Disability Support for Older Australians (DSOA) Program replaced the Commonwealth Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme on 1 July 2021. The Program is only open to existing CoS clients. It provides support to vulnerable older people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS.

Further information can be found on the Commonwealth DSOA website and Aged Care website.

National Psychosocial Support Assistance

The Commonwealth Government funds programs to provide psychosocial support people with severe mental illness and complex mental health needs via the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program, More information on the program and their partners can be found on their website.

WA Primary Health Alliance commissions mental health services from a wide range of providers including community managed organisations and health service providers. Information on their commissioning activities can be found on their website here