NDIS HELP

The information on this page is regularly updated.

You can phone the NDIS Contact Centre on 1800 800 110 and select option 5 if your situation has changed due to COVID-19. 

COVID-19 accessible resources

You can access a range of information about COVID-19 in accessible formats.

The Australian Department of Health (DoH) has created easy read resources about COVID-19, including:

• Easy Read – How to do a rapid antigen test from your nose
• Easy Read – COVID-19 vaccination – What is the COVID-19 vaccine?
• Easy Read – COVID-19 vaccination – What to expect when you have your vaccination
• Easy Read – COVID-19 vaccine – Fact sheet about the third dose
• Easy Read – COVID-19 vaccination – Giving your consent

You can access a full range of easy read resources at the Department of Health website .

Inclusion Australia and its members have also produced a range of easy read resources to support people with disability.

The accessible information includes advice about COVID-19, rapid antigen testing and reporting, health planning information and mental health during COVID-19.

If you have a visual impairment, and you’re an NDIS participant, you can use your plan funding to get help reading RAT instructions and results.

There is a visual interpreter service  that offers free 30 minute interpreter sessions, to provide COVID-19 assistance, including reading RAT instructions and results.

Distribution of Rapid Antigen Test (RATs) to Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers

In February 2022 the Australian Government began distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to Supported Independent Living (SIL) settings in line with AHPCC guidance . 

This distribution was completed on 31 July 2022 when more than 6.8 million RATs will have been distributed nationally.

From 1 August 2022, SIL providers who need further RATs should purchase them commercially.  

Providers can also request an emergency supply of RATs from the National Medical Stockpile if they are unable to source sufficient RATs during an outbreak.

COVID-19 vaccination

The Department of Health website (external) has information about COVID-19 vaccinations, including:

• vaccine doses
• eligible age groups
• access to different brands of COVID-19 vaccinations
• priority groups.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for people who are severely immunocompromised.

The fastest way to book is using the Department of Health Vaccine Clinic Finder .

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccination or booster dose, you should discuss these with your GP or doctor.

For further health information about COVID-19 in your location, we encourage you to refer to local health orders in your state or territory.

There are many ways that people with disability, their family members and carers, and disability workers can get vaccinated, including through Commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination services. 

Vaccine enablement payments

Some providers can claim a COVID-19 vaccination payment for assisting NDIS participants to access the COVID-19 vaccination and booster dose, including through their local pharmacy, GP, or other location such as a vaccination hub.

Learn more about vaccine enablement payment conditions and eligibility on the for providers – coronavirus (COVID-19) page.

Support

We want to ensure that all eligible NDIS participants, their carers and support workers are supported to overcome any barriers they may face and to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.

Your local GP or doctor can help answer any questions you may have. There are a range of additional free resources available:

• Disability Gateway

The Disability Gateway can answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and also make a booking for you to receive a vaccine. 

• Phone (free call): 1800 643 787
• Available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST). It is not available on national public holidays.
• If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
• National Coronavirus Helpline
  • Phone (free call): 1800 020 080 – select option 5
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
• Department of Health or your state or territory health department

Vaccination information is also available in Easy Read , Auslan and other languages .

State and territory COVID-19 resources

State and territory information and resources to assist with vaccination bookings is available through the links below:

ACT

• Disability – COVID-19

NSW

• COVID-19 information for people with disability

NT

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Queensland

• Disability support workers and carers: Information about COVID-19

South Australia

• Preparing for COVID

Tasmania

• Information for people with disability

Victoria

• Department of Health and Human Services Victoria

Western Australia

• COVID-19 coronavirus: Disability services

Improving airflow in indoor spaces

COVID-19 can spread quickly in crowded indoor spaces with limited or no airflow.

The Australian Department of Health (DOH) recommends improving airflow when you’re indoors to reduce your chance of exposure to COVID-19.

To improve airflow, you could open a window or door (where appropriate) to increase natural airflow in the room you’re in.

You could also consider using exhaust fans, air cleaning or other air purification devices.

You may be able to temporarily use your existing core-consumables budget to purchase a portable air purifier (or other ventilation device such as a portable extraction fan or pedestal fan) to ensure safe access to NDIS funded supports in your home.

Find out more on the Flexible low cost AT for support continuity page.

If you’re considering making changes to your ventilation system, make sure you consult an experienced professional.

Portable air purifiers are unlikely on their own prevent transmission of COVID-19. You should also consider current health advice on how to effectively minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission within your home. Improving ventilation and air quality (whether through natural or mechanical means) is just one of a hierarchy of controls that should be considered.

It’s important to choose what works for you, in your individual circumstances, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The World Health Organisation  and the United States Environmental Protection Agency have published information on the potential use of portable air purifiers within a broader range of actions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in buildings.

Safe Work Australia have also published information on improving ventilation in indoor workplaces, noting that for some participants their home is a workspace.

Visit the Department of Health website  to find out more about the role of ventilation in reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

COVID-19 temporary support measures

The NDIA has extended the following support measures to help participants and providers safely deliver and receive supports.

• participant vaccine and booster enablement payments – national
• more flexibility to help certain participants across all states and territories access meal preparation and delivery support
• access to low-cost assistive technology including for portable air purifiers for eligible participants including for portable air purifiers for eligible participants
• one-off deep cleaning for support worker related COVID-19 diagnosis 
• direct claiming for cleaning services and additional self-isolation and COVID-19 cleaning services and additional self-isolation and COVID-19 diagnosis supports in supported independent living (SIL) 
• temporary price limit increases to recognise the ongoing cost of personal protective equipment 
• claiming for rapid antigen tests (RAT) through NDIS plans using core funding
• claiming for RAT for eligible participants.

The NDIA will continue to review current arrangements and advise any future changes