The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has transformed the way support is provided to Australians living with disability. It funds supports that aim to improve the lives of people with disability. Each participant has an NDIS plan, built on the principles of choice and control, that enables them to access services tailored to their individual needs. This freedom helps participants make decisions that align with their goals.
What is NDIS choice?
The NDIS choice is the right of participants to receive services that suit their needs and align with their values and goals. With NDIS choice and detailed and appropriate planning, participants can feel more comfortable with the support they receive. The NDIS places participants at the centre of all decisions, which encourages engagement, ownership, and long-term empowerment.
What is NDIS control?
Providing participants with choice also means allowing them to control how NDIS services are managed according to their individual needs and preferences. They can manage their funding and support arrangements, thereby establishing trust between them and the NDIS. This control includes the ability to direct how funds are used, the freedom to manage their services, and the option to adjust support plans as needed.
Why is choice and control important?
The choice and control provided by the NDIS to participants aim to deliver support that works for each person, ultimately making them feel more comfortable in the long term. Being someone who provides disability care certainly means establishing a relationship with participants, which requires a high level of trust and compatibility. Moreover, NDIS also gives participants a genuine say, leading to services that are more adaptable, culturally responsive, and aligned with real-life needs.
Who can use choice and control + when can it be used?
All NDIS participants have the right to choose and control their services, regardless of their plan type or funding level. They can have a say from the planning process through to how their services are delivered. These decisions can be made at any point during the NDIS plan period. They can evolve as circumstances change, especially during an NDIS plan reassessment, when participants can reassess their goals and adjust their supports to meet their needs better.
How does the NDIS provide choice and control?
The NDIS has embedded mechanisms that allow participants to tailor their support experience. Below are several key areas where this is made possible.
You can choose and change service providers
Having a single provider for an extended period may be possible, but some people prefer not to be locked into a single person when receiving services from the NDIS. Therefore, the NDIS provides participants with the freedom to choose a provider that meets their criteria, ensuring they feel safer and more secure. Sometimes, participants want to change providers for different reasons. In that case, they can change providers, subject to the notice terms in their service agreement.
You can negotiate service agreements for a better deal
Participants can negotiate service agreements with service providers, including terms and conditions of cooperation, methods of service delivery, costs, and schedules. This negotiation process helps ensure transparency, mutual respect, and value for money. Additionally, the relationship between participants, service providers, and the NDIS will be well established due to trust.
You can use some NDIS funds flexibly
Some NDIS funds can be used flexibly. For example, Core support funding can usually be used across the Core support categories, while Capacity Building and Capital funding is generally tied to specific purposes. Learn more about NDIS funding categories. This is one of the advantages of the NDIS, as it provides participants with flexibility and freedom to determine how their funding is used in their lives. However, all funds must be used for disability-related supports in line with the participant’s plan.
You can change your NDIS plan
Before receiving services, people with disabilities will be invited to discuss their NDIS plan, which aims to provide support that suits the participant’s needs. However, if participants wish to change or modify the plan, they can request a reassessment. It ensures that the plan remains relevant and continues to support the participant’s wellbeing and long-term objectives.
You can change how your plan is managed
Participants may choose to change the way their plan is managed at any time. Whether transitioning from NDIA-managed to self-managed arrangements or engaging a registered plan manager, this flexibility provides varying levels of control, depending on the individual’s preferences and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to promote choice and control?
Promoting choice and control involves fostering environments where participants feel safe, respected, and informed. Support workers and coordinators should actively involve participants in all aspects of decision-making and provide accessible information to support those decisions.
What are three ways that you could give more choice and control during activities and interactions?
There are several effective ways to offer more choice and control during daily interactions and activities. First, service providers can offer participants a selection of activities or tasks to choose from, rather than assigning one by default. Then, support workers can allow participants to decide how and when they would like to complete specific tasks, such as selecting a preferred time of day for support. Finally, it is essential to allow individuals adequate time to consider their options before making a decision.
What are the principles of choice and control?
The principles of choice and control are grounded in the concepts of dignity, autonomy, and the right to self-determination. At their core, these principles recognise that people living with disability should have the same level of control over their lives as anyone else. This includes the freedom to make decisions about their support, take reasonable risks, and pursue personally meaningful goals. Flexibility, respect for individuality, and a commitment to inclusive decision-making are all essential components of this framework.
Conclusion
Empowering individuals through choice and control in the NDIS is fundamental to promoting independence, dignity, and a better quality of life. When participants have the ability to make informed decisions about their support, they are more likely to engage confidently, achieve their personal goals, and feel a genuine sense of ownership over their lives.
This approach not only strengthens individual outcomes but also encourages a more flexible, respectful, and responsive disability support sector. By placing people with disabilities at the centre of planning and delivery, the NDIS reinforces the value of inclusive, participant-led care, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to live life on their terms.
Need support navigating your NDIS journey? Contact Unify Disability Services today to discover how our team can help you exercise choice and control over your NDIS supports.
