NDIS vs. NDIA – What’s the Difference?
Empowrd • April 30, 2025
When you are navigating the world of disability support, you will often hear the terms NDIS and NDIA — and while they sound similar, they mean different things. Knowing who does what can help you navigate your NDIS journey more clearly and confidently.
What Is the NDIS?
NDIS stands for the
National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The national program provides funding and support to eligible people with a disability, as well as their families and carers.
The NDIS is designed to:
- Provide funding to help participants pursue their goals
- Support independence, skills development, and community participation
- Give participants more choice and control over their services and providers
If you meet the NDIS eligibility criteria, you receive a personalised NDIS plan. This plan outlines your goals, your funding budgets, and the types of support you can access to help you live more independently.
What Is the NDIA?
NDIA stands for the
National Disability Insurance Agency.
The NDIA is the government organisation that administers and manages the NDIS.
The NDIA’s responsibilities include:
- Assessing eligibility for the NDIS
- Creating and approving individual NDIS plans
- Managing funds for participants whose plans are NDIA-managed
- Ensuring the scheme operates fairly and transparently for all participants and providers
In short:
- The
NDIS is the scheme (the support system and funding).
- The NDIA is the agency (the team that operates and oversees the scheme).
When and How to Contact the NDIS vs. the NDIA
It is helpful to know who to contact depending on what you need:
You would contact the NDIA if:
- You need to check the status of your application or eligibility
- You want to request a change to your NDIS plan (e.g., plan review)
- You have questions about how your funds are managed (especially if you are NDIA-managed)
- You need to lodge a complaint or provide feedback about the NDIS process.
The NDIA can be contacted through their call centre at 1800 800 110, via email, or through your local NDIA office.
You would contact your providers, Plan Manager, or Support Coordinator if:
- Plan Manager (like Empowrd)
- You need help paying invoices from your service providers
- You want help tracking your spending and managing your NDIS budget
- You need financial reporting on your funding use
- You want to use unregistered providers (self- or plan-managed participants can do this)
- Support Coordinator (if you have one in your plan)
- You need assistance
finding and connecting with NDIS providers
- You want help organising supports that align with your plan goals
- You need help navigating complex or multiple supports
- You need assistance preparing for plan reviews or service changes
In short:
- Your Plan Manager helps you with the financial side of your plan.
- Your Support Coordinator helps you with the support and service side of your plan.
Both roles are designed to make your NDIS experience easier, without needing to contact the NDIA for everyday tasks.
Why Knowing the Difference Matters
Knowing the difference between the NDIS and the NDIA empowers you to get the right support when you need it.
It ensures that you:
- Understand who to contact for help
- Get the most value from your NDIS funding
- Feel more confident in managing your supports and services
Having the right knowledge makes the NDIS journey smoother and more empowering.
How Empowrd Can Help
At Empowrd, we provide professional and Support Coordination services across the Eyre Peninsula and Plan Management Australia-wide.
We can help you:
- Understand and maximise your NDIS plan
- Navigate NDIA processes
- Find providers that align with your goals
- Stay on track with your funding and supports
We believe in making the NDIS simple, straightforward, and focused on what matters most — your goals and independence.
Get in Touch
Call us today on (08) 8683 4401
Or visit
our
website to learn more about how we can support your NDIS journey.
NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination
At Empowrd, we are here to make your life easier. Based in Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula, we offer a personal, accessible and holistic approach to NDIS Plan Management and Support Coordination.
We provide Plan Management services across Australia, assisting with financial administration, and offer Support Coordination to participants in Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula, connecting them with the right supports and providers. Our goal is to ensure your NDIS plan works for you, so you can focus on achieving your goals and doing what you love.
Want to Become a Support Worker?
Our Independent Support Workers Education Portal provides everything you need to navigate the NDIS, find work, and confidently offer services as an Independent Support Worker. For just $65, you will gain access to comprehensive guides, essential resources, and ready-to-use templates to streamline your work.
Inside, you will find:
- A clear breakdown of how the NDIS works
- Tips for finding jobs and delivering services
- Step-by-step guidance on invoicing and support planning
- Ready-to-edit templates for quotes, service agreements, invoices, and case notes
Need just the templates? You can also purchase them separately as standalone resources.
I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.
If you are ready to be Empowrd to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path.
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Be EMPOWRD to Live Your Best Life
If you are ready to be Empowrd to live your life to the fullest, let us steer you on the right path. To get started, all you have to do is sign up using our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you shortly.
