DOCUMENT 13

Leaving the NDIS

Quick summary: There are different reasons you might leave the NDIS. For most participants, it’s a choice to leave. You might not want to be a participant anymore because you’ve met your goals. Or you might not meet the eligibility requirements anymore. There are Insurance different processes for leaving the NDIS depending on the reason you’re leaving. If you leave, you’re no longer a participant, and won’t be able to get NDIS supports. NDIS supports are the services, items and equipment that can be funded by the NDIS. If you leave, we can Disabilitystill help you connect to other government and community services and if things change, you can apply again.

NationalWhat’s on this page? TheThis page covers: by

What do we mean by leaving the NDIS? Act - What if you don’t want to be an NDIS participant anymore?
What if you start getting supports from aged care services?
Are you still eligible for the NDIS?
What happens if we check your NDIS eligibility? Information of Freedom under released was document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 1 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 492 of 910

Agency

Some participants will stay with the NDIS for their lifetime. Other participants may need the NDIS for a shorter period. The length of time you stay eligible for the NDIS depends on your individual situation and the NDIS supports you need for your disability.

Insurance

There are a number of situations where you might leave the NDIS:

You don’t want to be a participant any more.2
You move into residential aged care permanently for the first time after you’ve turned 65.3
You start getting home care services provided by aged care permanently for the first time after you’ve turned 65.4
You’re no longer eligible for the NDIS.5 This includes when children with developmental delay turn 6 and no longer meet the requirements for early intervention, disability, or both.
Your NDIS status is revoked.

Participants also leave NDIS when they die.6 Learn more about what happens with NDIS supports when a participant dies.

Disability

What if you don’t want to be an NDIS participant anymore?

You can choose to leave the NDIS at any time, if you no longer want to be a participant. This might be because you’ve met your goals or have developed your skills and independence and don’t need the NDIS anymore.

You can always contact us if you want to talk about whether leaving the NDIS is the best option for you.

If your situation changes after you leave, you can always apply again, and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible.

National

How do you let us know you want to leave the NDIS?

If you want to leave the NDIS, you’ll need to let us know in writing.7

You can fill in the Leaving the NDIS form. You can also email or send a letter to let us know you want to leave the NDIS. You can also contact us if you’d like some help.

There are services in the community you can contact if you need supports after you leave. A local area coordinator or early childhood partner can help you find local supports that aren’t part of the NDIS.

the

1982Act

Information

of

Freedomthe

under

released

was

document

10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 2 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication.

Page 493 of 910

What happens when I choose to leave

If you decide that the NDIS isn’t right for you or want to stop receiving support from us, we’ll end your plan.

This includes mainstream and community services available outside the NDIS. Learn more about mainstream and community supports.

Agency If you choose to leave, remember:

Your plan ends on the day you let us know in writing that you wish to leave.8
You can’t use your NDIS funding once you let us know in writing that you wish to Insurance leave.9
You’ll no longer be an NDIS participant.10 If you want to become a participant again, you’ll need to reapply. If you reapply, there’s no Disability guarantee you’ll become a participant again. You’ll need to meet all the eligibility requirements. This includes the requirement that you must be younger than 65 on the day you apply.11

National Learn more about the eligibility requirements. The by Act 1982

If we stop your NDIS plan because you ask to leave, you can’t ask for an internal review. This is because when you write to us and ask to leave the NDIS, the law says we need to:

remove you from the NDIS,12 and
end your plan, without us needing to make a reviewable decision.13

Learn more about what decisions can be reviewed. What if you start getting supports from aged care services? Information of

Aged care services are funded by the Department of Health Aged Care system14 and include residential aged care services and home care services. Freedom the under released

Home care services are supports you can get to help with your daily life. They include things like personal care for you in your home. When we say home care services, we mean services funded by the Department of Health Aged Care system. document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 3 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 494 of 910

The supports you get in residential aged care

can be different from NDIS supports outside aged care facilities. Find out more about residential aged care services on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Agency

If you leave the NDIS because you move into residential aged care permanently, you can’t ask for an internal review. This is because the law says we must remove you from the NDIS, without us needing to make a reviewable decision. Learn more about what decisions can be reviewed.

Example: Vish is 66 and is an NDIS participant. Vish was living by himself but decides to permanently move into residential aged care for the first time. The law says Vish then stops being a participant and he leaves the NDIS. NationalThe aged care system is now responsible for all Vish’s support needs. Vish can’t ask for an internal review of this decision. Vish also can’t become a participant again, as he is older than 65.

What if you were already in residential aged care before you turned 65?

If you were already living in residential aged care before you turn 65, you can still be an NDIS participant after you turn 65.

Learn more about younger people in residential aged care.

Once you turn 65, you can also choose to leave and get support from the aged care system instead. If you want to leave the NDIS, you’ll need to let us know in writing.

If you choose to leave the NDIS, you can’t ask for an internal review. This is because if you ask in writing to leave the NDIS, then the law says we must remove you from the NDIS, without us needing to make a reviewable decision. Learn more about what decisions can be reviewed.

Example:

At age 50, Jane permanently moved into an aged care facility. She was found eligible for the NDIS when she was 64. Jane is now 66. She can choose to stay in residential aged care, but she would like to move out and live with her children. Jane is still an NDIS participant, so she talks to her planner about her goal of moving out of residential aged care. Jane gives assessments and reports from an appropriately qualified person, so we understand her capabilities and support needs.

What happens when a person starts getting home care services from the aged care system?

Jane and her planner create a plan. Jane’s plan includes the NDIS supports Jane needs. She uses her NDIS supports to work towards her goal of living with her children.

Agency What if you start getting home care services from the aged care system?

Home care services are supports you can get to help with daily life. They include things like personal care for you in your home. When we say home care services, we mean services funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care system.

You must leave the NDIS if you start getting home care services permanently for the first time after you turn 65.20 You can’t ask for an internal review. This is because the law says you must leave the NDIS when this occurs, without us needing to make a reviewable decision.21 Learn more about what decisions can be reviewed.

Home care services can be different from NDIS supports. Find out more about home care services on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Example by Kirsty just turned 65 and is an NDIS participant. She uses her NDIS supports to fund 10 1982hours a week of personal care. Since she turned 65, she’s now eligible for home care services with aged care funding. She Act must decide if she’ll start using these aged care services.

If she starts getting home care services with aged care funding permanently, she must leave the NDIS. She can keep getting NDIS supports until she permanently gets aged care home care of services or moves into residential aged care permanently.22

Are you still eligible for the NDIS? There are different reasons for leaving the NDIS. This might happen if you’re no longer
eligible. You’re no longer eligible for the NDIS if you:

don’t live in Australia anymore23
are no longer an Australian citizen or permanent resident24 released
no longer meet the early intervention requirements or disability requirements.25

If we have information that tells us you may not be eligible for the NDIS anymore, we may check your eligibility.

document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 5 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This

                            Page 496 of 910

What Happens If We Check Your NDI Eligibility?

Do you still live in Australia? You’ll need to live in Australia to stay an NDIS participant. If you leave Australia permanently, you won’t be eligible anymore, and we may decide to revoke your participant status. Learn more about when you can be revoked as a participant.

You’ll probably still meet the residence requirements if you leave Australia for a short time. If you’re temporarily outside Australia for more than six weeks in a row, you’ll usually still be an NDIS participant but may not be able to use your NDIS funding. Learn more about when we suspend your plan.

Are You Still An Australian Citizen Or Permanent Resident? to remain a participant, you’ll need to either:

Be an Australian citizen
Have a permanent residency visa
have a protected special category visa - this is only for some New Zealand citizens. For example, you may have to leave the NDIS if your permanent residency visa is cancelled. if you joined the NDIS from a new south wales prescribed program and your residency or citizenship status changes, you’ll remain eligible for the ndis. does it matter what kind of support I get under early intervention supports? if you are eligible under the early intervention requirements, your support needs are more likely to change. We will check each time we reassess your plan whether you still meet the early intervention requirements.

If you’ve benefitted from early intervention ndis supports, you might have built your skills and increased your capacity. You may no longer need ndis supports.

If you no longer meet the early intervention requirements, we’ll check if you meet the disability requirements.

What happens When A Child With Developmental Delay Turns 6 Years Old?

If we decided a child met the early intervention requirements because of their developmental delay, they’re usually no longer eligible after they turn six. This is because they’ll no longer meet the eligibility criteria under developmental delay. To remain an ndis participant after they turn six, the child will need to meet the requirements for

document10 February 2025 Our Guideline - Leaving The NDIS Page 6 Of 26 This document Is correct at the date of publication. this page497 of 910

Disability Requirements

These requirements include the child to have an impairment that’s likely to be permanent.

Agency

We’ll talk to families or carers before a child turns 6. We’ll explain what information we need to decide if the child is still eligible.

Learn more about the disability requirements and the early intervention requirements.

InsuranceExample

Sarah is 6 years old. Sarah was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements for developmental delay and has been receiving NDIS supports since age 4.

Disability

At age 4, Sarah had a delay with how her speech was developing. Her parents and other children couldn’t understand her, and Sarah found it hard to manage her frustration. Sarah’s parents used her NDIS supports to help them support Sarah to work towards her goals. At age 5, Sarah’s early childhood partner explained to her parents that Sarah would most likely leave the NDIS after she turns 6.

Nationalage

By age 6, Sarah achieved many of the goals her parents set for her, including improved communication, social skills and managing her emotions. Sarah’s early childhood intervention professional reports she no longer needs early intervention supports.

1982Act

Sarah’s early childhood partner talks to her parents about the NDIS eligibility requirements and explains that Sarah no longer needs NDIS supports. Sarah’s parents let us know in writing they want Sarah to leave the NDIS.

Sarah leaves the NDIS and continues to receive mainstream and community supports. For example, her teacher can help set up the supports she needs at school. Sarah also joins a gymnastic and dancing class.

If Sarah’s situation changes and she needs NDIS supports in the future, her parents understand they can apply for the NDIS again.

FreedomExample

Ayesha was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements for developmental delay and has been receiving early intervention supports since she was 3.

underreleased

During check-ins, we discussed Ayesha’s progress and reminded the family that Ayesha’s eligibility will be reassessed at age 6. This is because Ayesha will no longer meet the early intervention requirements under developmental delay once she turns 6.

For Ayesha to remain an NDIS participant after she turns 6, she’ll need to meet the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both. These requirements include Ayesha to have an impairment that’s likely to be permanent.

document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 7 of 26

This document is correct at the date of publication.

Page 498 of 910

Eligibility Reassessment

Background Information

Participant Details

Name: redacted
Age: 6 years old
Current Status: Has just started school.

Parental Concerns and Support Needs

Ayesha’s parents are happy with her progress but would like her to be more confident when playing with her peers and interacting with adults. They think Ayesha needs ongoing support for her speech and communication.

Initial Assessment Findings

The evidence we have makes us think Ayesha is no longer eligible for the NDIS as there’s no evidence to indicate that Ayesha has a condition that is likely to be permanent.

We start an eligibility reassessment.

Communication With Family

We contact Ayesha’s family by phone, which is their preferred contact method. We also send them a letter. The letter explains that based on the information we have, Ayesha may no longer meet the eligibility requirements. It explains if Ayesha’s family thinks she’s still eligible, they can give us new evidence to show Ayesha meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both. Ayesha’s family is asked to respond within 90 days from the date of the letter. The letter also explains that if Ayesha’s family don’t provide new information and we’ll make a decision based on the information and evidence we have.

Response From Family

Ayesha’s family sends us a report from Ayesha’s early childhood intervention professional which confirms she has made progress towards her goals and Ayesha’s functional capacity has improved. It indicates that Ayesha still needs some help with her communication but that her school and parents can continue to support this. There are no other concerns with Ayesha’s development.

Final Decision Based On Evidence

Based on the evidence we have, we decide Ayesha no longer meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both. We talk to Ayesha’s parents about the NDIS eligibility requirements and explain that we’ve decided Ayesha is no longer eligible.

We send Ayesha’s family a letter explaining Ayesha’s status as a participant will end. This means Ayesha will no longer be eligible and will leave the NDIS.

Ongoing Support Arrangements

Speech and Communication: Ayesha gets ongoing support for her speech and communication from her school and her parents. They use the strategies Ayesha’s early childhood intervention professionals helped them put into place.

Questions About Eligibility Requirements

Do you still meet the disability requirements? If you were eligible under the disability requirements, you’ll likely need NDIS supports for your lifetime. This means you won’t have to prove your NDIS support needs every time we change your plan.

If at any time your disability support needs or situation changes, we may need to check your NDIS supports or eligibility. We’ll contact you if this happens.

What happens if we check your NDIeligibility?

We may check your eligibilty if evidence suggests you may no longer be eligible. This could Agency mean you no longer meet one or more of the residence, disability, or early intervention requirements.

When you became an NDIs participant, you met the requirements for disabiltiy or earlly intervention, or from 3 October 2024, you may meet requirments for both disability and eary intervention.

If you’re not sure which requiremnts you met, check the access decision letter we sent you Disability when we decided you were elgible. If you’ve been through an eligibility reasessment before and this was updated, you can find it in the eligibility reassessment outcome letter we sent you. You can also contact us.

National If we check, and it looks like you may no longer meet the eligibility reqirements, we may thereassess your eligibility. We call this an eligibility reassessment. If we decide to start an byeligibility reassessment, we’ll let you know. We’ll give you the opportunity to give us more evidence about your NDIS eligibility. Learn more about How we let you know we’re doing an 1982eligibility reassessment.

ActAfter the eligibilty reassessment process has finished, we’ll consider the information and decide if you’re still eligible. Learn more about How we decice if you’re still eligible for the NDIS.

You may have to leave the NDIs if you don’t provide us with the specific informaton, or the evidence shows you don’t meet one or more of: of - the residency requirements

  -   the disability or early intervention requirments.30
                                                                                     Freedom

If you’re still elgible, you’ll remain a participant. You can keep using your NDIss supports. The If we revoke your status, you’ll leavve the NDIS. Learn more about when you can be revoked as a partcipant.

How do we let you know we’re doing an eligibility reassement?

We’ll send you a letter to let you know we’re doing an eligibility reassessmnt. We’ll also under contact you by your preferred contact method, such as by phone or email, to let you know. releasedcontact you by your preferred contact method, such as by phone or email, to let you know. If your plan is being reassessed at the same time as the eligibilty reassessment, you might was get a new plan while we’re doing the eligibility reassessment. You remian an NDIS document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIs Page 9 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This

                            Page 500 of 910

participant and can continue to use your funding to access NDIS supports while your eligibility is being reassessed.

AgencyIf we start doing an eligibility reassessment, we’ll let you know that based on the evidence we have, we’re thinking about whether we should revoke your status as a participant. We’ll also let you know what eligibility requirements we don’t think you meet.

InsuranceWill we ask you to provide evidence for an eligibility reassessment?

We’ll write to you and give you an opportunity to provide relevant information or evidence you would like considered when we make the eligibility reassessment decision. The letter will explain what evidence we have and the eligibility requirements we think you don’t meet.

Sometimes if we don’t have enough evidence to make a decision, we’ll ask you for specific information or a report in a format that helps us to make a decision about your eligibility.

National We must tell you in writing when you need to provide this.31 We’ll only ask you to provide this specific information or report if we can’t reasonably get it in a different way32. by How much time will you have to give us evidence? 1982 ActNDIS We’ll give you 90 days from the date of the letter to respond if you think you still meet the eligibility requirements. You can send us information and evidence you want us to consider when making the eligibility reassessment decision. If you don’t respond within 90 days, we’ll make the decision based on the information and evidence we have.

What if you need more time to give us information and evidence?

If you need more time to provide information or evidence, contact us. We may be able to
give you more time if your request is reasonable. You’ll need to tell us why you need more time, and how much time you need. For example, there could be a delay in getting information from an appropriately qualified person. If so, we could give you more time so you can get the information and send it to us.

Generally, we’ll only consider giving you one extension of time. This is because the first extension should give you reasonable opportunity to give us the evidence. If you need under another extension, you’ll need to explain why you need more time again and how much extra time you need.

We’ll consider all relevant information and evidence provided against the eligibility released requirements to decide if you’re still eligible. wasExample Pai is 6 years old. When she was 4 we decided she was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention requirements for developmental delay. We developed a plan with Pai’s family Freedom the Information of Document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 10 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 501 of 910

Eligibility Reassessment

Pai receives early intervention supports through the National Disability Insurance (NDIS). These are likely to benefit her development.

The agency maintains regular check-ins with Pai and her family. This helps understand Pai’s progress and outcomes achieved so far. When she turns five years old, discussions occur regarding eligibility criteria. Parents will be reminded that reassessment takes place once she reaches six due to changes in developmental delay definitions under current regulations. To continue as an active participant post-sixth birthday, there must exist a permanent impairment affecting either physical capabilities or cognitive functions meeting specific thresholds related to disabilities requiring support services.

An initial assessment begins when Pai becomes eligible for reevaluation processes after turning six. A formal communication detailing potential non-compliance based on available data gets sent out via mail addressed directly towards parents involved parties concerned about their child’s status within program guidelines established thus far.

Should they believe otherwise upon receiving such correspondence documents containing proof demonstrating continued qualification according to set standards concerning both disability aspects along side any necessary interventions needed during this phase should accompany responses submitted promptly but not exceeding ninety days following receipt date mentioned explicitly throughout entire procedure outlined hereabove.

In one instance where immediate action wasn’t feasible because scheduling appointments required waiting periods longer than expected initially anticipated by families affected similarly faced similar challenges encountered previously described scenarios above; however extensions granted allowing sufficient time passed before final determinations made possible only after additional evidence collected successfully provided later stages subsequent events transpired accordingly thereafter.

Example:

Jo is forty years of age living with impairments resulting from stroke impacting cognition and mobility significantly enough warranting inclusion into NDIS framework originally determined suitable candidate fulfilling early intervention prerequisites applicable at that point in history timeline associated therewith having received assistance measures implemented over fourteen months duration necessitating reassessment procedures initiated now assessing effectiveness achieved thereby determining future course actions appropriately aligned expectations held regarding ongoing participation eligibility conditions maintained consistently across all relevant domains covered comprehensively hereinbefore explained thoroughly without omission whatsoever.

How do we decide if you’re still eligible for the NDIS?

We’ll look at all relevant information against the eligibility requirements to decide if you’re still eligible for the NDIS. We’ll do this after:

we let you know we’re reassessing your eligibility, and what specific eligibility requirements we’re looking at
we let you know what information we need to make our decision. We’ll only ask you to provide this specific information or report if we can’t reasonably get it in a different way
you’ve had a reasonable opportunity to give us the information we asked for
we look at the information you give us.

The person who reassesses your eligibility and decides if you’re still eligible will be one of our staff. They’ll be different from the people who first decided that you’re eligible, and the people who approved your plans. They’ll also be someone who doesn’t have a personal interest in whether you’re a participant or know you, other than through the NDIS.

If there’s information and evidence that shows us you’re still eligible, you’ll remain a participant. You can keep using your NDIS supports.

You may have been eligible under the early intervention requirements but give us evidence that shows you now meet the disability requirements. If so, we’ll change our records to show you now meet the disability requirements. This means we won’t revoke your status as a participant, and you’ll remain an NDIS participant.

Revoking - when you’ve had an opportunity to respond

Agency

the timeframe we gave you
the timeframe since we were last given relevant information about your eligibility
if you or someone representing you has not complied with our requests before
if there were things outside your control which meant you couldn’t get the information to give it to us on time
any other information that may be relevant.

We’ll contact you by your preferred contact method to explain our decision. We’ll also send you a letter with our decision and our reasons, and the date your participant status will berevoked. This date will usually be 28 days from the date the eligibility reassessment decision was made.

Insurance

Disability

National

the

1982 Actopportunity

If we check your eligibility, and evidence suggests you may no longer meet the eligibility requirements, we’ll start an eligibility reassessment. We’ll let you know and give you the opportunity to provide us with more evidence about your NDIS eligibility. You’ll have an opportunity to respond within 90 days with the necessary information or request an extension of time to obtain the evidence. We’ll look at the evidence you provide us. If, based on the evidence we believe you’re not eligible, we’ll revoke your status as a participant.

Example

####### Information of Johan is 7 years old. When he was 3, we decided he was eligible under the early intervention requirements for developmental delay. Marita is Johan’s mother and child representative. We haven’t completed a check-in or plan reassessment in two years. This is because Marita won’t respond to us.

Marita self-manages Johan’s plan and we can see the NDIS funding in Johan’s plan is being used. Because Johan is now older than 6 his eligibility needs to be reassessed. To remain an NDIS participant after he turns 6, we need to have evidence that Johan has an impairment that’s likely to be permanent, and he meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both.

We send Marita a letter. The letter explains that based on the information we have Johan may no longer meet the eligibility requirements. If Marita thinks Johan is still eligible for the NDIS, they can choose to provide us with evidence. The evidence needs to show that Johan meets the requirements for disability, early intervention, or both. Marita is asked to respond

Revoking - when we’ve asked for an assessment or examination report

When we ask you for a report of an assessment or examination, we’ll give you 90 days, or a longer period as requested, to send this to us. We’ll consider whether the report:

was sent to us on time, or within an agreed timeframe
is in an approved format
shows an appropriately qualified person completed the assessment or examination.

If you don’t send the information or report on time, we’ll revoke your access to the Scheme [43].

If you do send us the information or report on time and in the correct form, we’ll use it to decide if we:

think you’re still eligible [44]
need more information to make a decision [45].

What if you don’t agree with our decision?

If you don’t agree with our decision to revoke your status as an NDIS participant, you should talk to us. Your planner, local area coordinator or early childhood partner can help explain our decision, answer any questions and explore next steps.

You can also ask for an internal review of our decision to revoke your status as a participant [46]. This means one of our staff, who wasn’t involved in the original decision, will decide if we made the correct decision.

You’ll need to ask for an internal review within 3 months after we tell you in writing that we revoked your status as a participant [47]. You can ask us to stop our internal review at any time [48].

Internal and External Reviews

If you don’t agree with the internal review decision, you can then ask for an external review. This means the Administrative Review Tribunal will decide if we made the right decision.Learn more on the Administrative Review Tribune website. Agency

If we decide you’re not eligible, you can apply again, unless you’ve requested a review of that decision and are waiting for a decision to be made.49Learn more about internal and external reviews. Insurance

What If You Become A Participant Again Because Of An Internal Or External Review?

If an internal or external reviewer decides you’re eligible for the NDIS, you’ll become a Disability participant again. You’ll become a participant again from the date you stopped being a participant.

This means we’ll identify the plan you had when you stopped being a participant and put that National plan back in place. This plan will continue until we reassess your next plan. The In some situations, you can claim the cost of the NDIS supports you purchased during the by period your participant status was revoked. This is the period between the day:

you stopped being an NDIS participant 1982
you became a participant again because of the internal or external review decision. Act

You can only claim funding for NDIS supports purchased when you stopped being an NDIS participant if:

they were in your plan – the plan that was in place when we revoked your status as a Information
participant50 of
there’s enough funding remaining in that plan
you have proof of buying and using the supports, such as a receipt Freedom
you claim them within 2 years after you become a participant again. The If your NDIS supports are self-managed or plan-managed, you or your registered plan manager can claim the funding for NDIS supports as usual. If your NDIS supports are Under agency-managed, contact us so we can help you claim the funding for NDIS supports. Learn more about ways to manage your funding.

Example Released

Charlie is a participant and was eligible for the NDIS under the early intervention Was requirements.

On 1 July, we decide Charlie isn’t eligible for the NDIS anymore and revoke their status as a participant. We have information that shows Charlie no longer meets requirements for Document 10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 15 Of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This

                            Page 506 Of 910

What Happens After You Leave The NDIS?

When you leave the NDSI, you’re no longer a participant and your plan will stop.

We can’t fund any NDIS supports after you leave.

We can help you sort out your final payment requests. If you want help, talk to your local area coordinator, early childhood partner or planner. You can also contact us.

If you would like to connect with services in your community, you can ask your local area coordinator or early childhood partner about available supports.

Under the law, we must keep your information on our records. Learn more about your privacy and information.

What happens when a participant dies?

We recognise the importance of supporting family, carers and support networks when a participant dies.

To give the best support we can during this difficult time, we have specialist staff who can help you work through any remaining NDIS matters. Learn more about how we can help after a participant dies.

When you are looking after someone who has passed away

When we say ‘you’ in this section, we mean someone who is a verified contact of the participant in our system and is looking after the participant’s matters after they’ve died.

AgencyYou might be a:

spouse
nominee
parent or child representative
court appointed trustee or guardian.

InsuranceIt’s important you tell us when a person dies, as they’re no longer an NDIS participant, and we’ll need to finalise their NDIS record.53

You can contact us in person, or by phone, email or letter when the participant dies. Or you

can fill in the Leaving the NDIS form.

We’ll ask for the participant’s date of death. We’ll also ask who the executor of the estate is if you have this information. This is the person who’ll be managing the participant’s estate. We use this information to help us finalise the participant’s NDIS record. This means their plan ends and NDIS supports will stop.

We know this is a difficult time. Where appropriate, we’ll offer support to help you work out what you need to do to finalise matters relating to the participant’s plan after they die. You can reach out to a local area coordinator, early childhood partner or planner. You can also contact us.

Learn more about what to do when someone dies.

What happens to a participant’s NDIS funded supports when they die?

The participant’s plan ends the day they die. We can’t fund any NDIS supports purchased or supplied after this date. If the participant’s registered plan manager uses NDIS funds to purchase supports after this date, the registered plan manager will need to repay us.54

Also, an NDIS provider will need to repay us if they receive a payment they’re not entitled to after the participant’s death.55

For example, the participant may have funding for cleaning services in their NDIS plan. A provider can’t claim this funding to purchase cleaning services after the participant dies. If the provider claims the funding, it will need to be repaid to the NDIS.

Sometimes we can pay for NDIS supports that were arranged or ordered in writing before the participant died that haven’t been paid yet. For example:

return and payment for rented assistive technology, where the costs are covered by a service agreement entered before the participant died.

Agency

assistive technology that has been purchased by the participant but not paid for or delivered – when it fits with the pre-payments guidance of the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
home or vehicle modifications that were started but haven’t been finished. Insurance
services that were purchased and provided before the participant died.
cancellation fees covered by a service agreement. Disability We’ll make sure access to the portal is available for a period of 90 days from the participant’s date of death. This is so that NDIS supports purchased before the participant’s death can be claimed. When you contact us, we’ll talk to you about who the most appropriate National person is to have access to the portal to make these claims. The information in this section is general information only. You should always check the terms of the service agreement made with the provider. The service agreement can help you work out whether you need to pay providers, and who owns assistive technology, home or the vehicle modifications, after a participant dies. by 1982 Act What happens to a participant’s assistive technology?

The person managing the estate will need to work with providers to manage the participant’s assistive technology in line with the service agreement that’s in place. Information of Generally, when we have funded assistive technology for the participant, the participant owns it, unless there’s an arrangement in place where the participant must give it back to the provider. For example, the participant has a rental or leasing arrangement with an NDIS Freedom provider. the If the participant owns the item, the equipment becomes part of their estate when they die. under The person managing the estate can choose what to do with the assistive technology. released If the participant was renting assistive technology with NDIS funding, you must return the equipment to the provider. This is because the provider still owns it. This includes if the wasearly, participant rented a group of assistive technology items, such as through a loan pool or document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 18 of 26 equipment library. This document is correct at the date of publication. The Page 509 of 910

shipment or delivery costs.

What happens when assistive technology has been ordered but not delivered?

Agency If the participant dies before getting assistive technology that was in their plan, we’ll pay any pre-payment fees that haven’t been paid if:

the fees are in line with our pre-payment’s guidance in the Pricing Arrangements and Insurance Price Limits, and
the item was ordered before the participant died.If full payment is made, the assistive technology is the property of the estate.

Disability

What if the participant had an assistance animal or dog guide?\nThe person managing the estate may need to look at any service agreement and may wish \nto talk to the participant’s provider. They can discuss with them what options are available for\nthe assistance animal or dog guide.

National\nby\nWhat happens to a participant’s home and vehicle modifications?\n\n1982The person managing the estate will need to work with the provider to manage the\nparticipant’s home or vehicle modifications in line with the service agreement that’s in place. Act\nAfter the participant dies, you can usually still claim NDIS funding for home modifications or\nvehicle modifications if the modifications were purchased before the participant died. This is\nit the provider hasn’t been paid the final payment. Information\nof\nIf the participant dies before approved home or vehicle modifications are finished, the by\nprovider should discuss options with the nominee or executor within the scope of the service\nagreement.\nThis may mean completing modifications to make the building or vehicle safe and suitable Freedom\nfor more general use. But if the modifications continue, they shouldn’t include specific\n the\nfeatures required by the participant who died.\nRemember, we can help you work out what to do about the participant’s plan after they die. under\nYou can reach out to a local area coordinator, early childhood partner or planner. You can\nalso contact us.

What can service providers claim? \nService providers can claim for NDIS supports purchased before the participant’s death was\nunder a service agreement. They have 2 years from the participant’s date of death to make\na claim.

\ndocument10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 19 of 26\n This document is correct at the date of publication. This\n Page 510 of 910

If the funding was plan managed

the registered plan manager will need to claim any funding for NDS supports purchased before the participant’s death. Registered plan managers canclaim the plan management fee for the month of the participant’s death for this purpose, if Agency this forms part of their service agreement.

When can providers claim cancellation fees?

In some situations, providers can claim a cancellation fee if they had short notice of the Insurance participant’s death. Providers can claim the fee according to the conditions in the service agreement and the Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.If the participant lived in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), the SDA provider can Disability call vacancy costs in some situations. We have more information in the SDA Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. National

Do we disclose information about a participant’s death?

The there are some situations where we may disclose information about the participant’s death. by For example, we may need to disclose this information to: 1982 • finalise outstanding service bookings Act • help arrange removal or disposal of assistive technology

stop delivery services. We can only disclose information about the deceased participant in certain situations, whereit’s in the public interest to do so.56 Information ofWe may disclose information when:
there’s no reason to think the deceased participant wouldn’t want their information disclosed Freedom
the information is needed for a genuine reason, such as to help administer the the deceased participant’s estate
the information isn’t available from another source. under The people we may talk to include:
a family member, guardian or support person released
a correspondence nominee, plan nominee or child representative was • a service provider that was providing NDIS supports to the participant – they’ll need to know as soon as possible since they can’t claim funding after the participant dies
an executor administering the estate document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 20 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This
```
                          Page 511 of 910
```

a Commonwealth, State or Territory department or authority
a lawyer or legal representative that was supporting the participant.

Agency If you have any questions about why we’ve disclosed details about the participant’s death, you can always contact us.

Insurance Disability National the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom under was document10 February 2025 Our Guideline - Leaving the NDIS Page 21 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 512 of 910

Appendix A: New South Wales prescribed programs

We may have decided you were eligible because you had support from one of the following Agency programs in New South Wales. If so, you’ll remain eligible for the NDIS even if your residency or citizenship status changes. This also includes if you were eligible under one of these programs, but now live in a different state or territory. Insurance These programs were provided to residents of New South Wales and were administered by the New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services for people younger than 65. Disability New South Wales programs:

Large Residential Centres

Large Residential Centre/Institution. The Group Home by
Small Residential Centre/Institution.
Group Homes. Community High
Hostels.
Attendant Care.
In-home Accommodation Support. of
Alternative Family Placement. Other Accommodation Support. Information The Freedom under released document was 10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 22 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 513 of 910

Community Access
Learning and Life Skills Development.
Recreation/Holiday Programs.
Other Community Access.Respite
Own Home Respite.
Centre-based Respite/Respite Homes.
Host Family Respite/Peer Support Respire.
Flexible/Combination Respite.
Other Respite.

Community Care by

Domestic assistance.

Act

Social support.
Nursing care received at home or at centre/other.
Allied health care received at home or at centre/other by intervention type.
Personal care.

Information of

Other food services.
Respite care.

Freedom
the

Assessment including screening (client).
Assessment including screening (carer).
Case management.
Client care coordination (client).
Client care coordination (carer).

under

Home maintenance.

was

Counselling/support, information and advocacy (client).
Counelling/support, information and advocacy (carer).

10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 23 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 514 of 910

Meals received at home or at centre/other.
Goods and equipment (self-care aids, support and mobility aids, communication aids, Agency aids for reading, medical care aids, car modifications, other goods/equipment).
Formal linen services.
Transport - Client – number of one-way individual or group trips by purpose. Insurance
Home modification.

Commonwealth programs Disability

Better Start for Children with Disability.
Disability Employment Assistance: Australian Disability Enterprises. National
Helping Children with Autism. The
Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker Program. on to
Outside School Hours Care for Teenagers with Disability. young
Remote Vision and Hearing Services. thelaw of the Freedom under released document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 24 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 515 of 910

Reference list

Agency

1 NDIS Act s 30A.
2 NDIS Act s 29(1)(d).
3 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).
4 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).
5 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(c), 30, 30A6 Insurance NDIS Act s 29(1)(a).
7 NDIS Act s 29(1)(d).
8 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(d), 37(3)(c).
9 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(d), 29(2).
10 NDIS Act s 29(1)(d).11 Disability NDIS Act s 22.
12 NDIS Act s29(1)(d).
13 NDIS Act ss 99, 100.
14 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b); Residential care service has the same meaning as in the Aged Care Act 1997.15 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).
National
16 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b); Residential care service has the same meaning as in the Aged Care Act 1997.
17 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(b), 99, 100. the by
18 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).
19 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(d), 99, 100.
20 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).21 NDIS Act ss 29(1)(b), 99, 100. 1982 Act
22 NDIS Act s 29(1)(b).
23 NDIS Act ss 23(1)(a), 30(1)(a).
24 NDIS Act ss 23(1)(b), 30(1)(a).
25 NDIS Act ss 24, 25, 27, 30(1)(b).
26 NDIS Act ss 23(1)(a), 23(2), 30(1)(a).
27 NDIS Act ss 23(1)(a), 23(2), 30(1)(a).
28 NDIS Act s 40.29 NDIS Act s 23(1)(b). Information of NDIS Act ss 30(3AA), 30A(5AA).
32 NDIS Act ss 30(3A), 30A(5A).
33 NDIS Act s 30(5).
34 NDIS Act s 30(6).35 NDIS Act ss 30(6A)(a), 30A(7A)(a). Freedom the
36 NDIS Act ss 30(6A)(d), 30A(7A)(d).
37 NDIS Act ss 30(6A)(b)(c), 30A(7A)(b)(c).
38 NDIS Act ss 30(6A)(e), 30A(7A)(e).
39 NDIS Act ss 30(6A)(f)(g), 30A(7A)(f)(g).
40 NDIS Act ss 30(7)(8), 30A(8)(9). under
41 NDIS Act s 30(3)(a).
42 NDIS Act ss 30(1), 30A(1).
43 NDIS Act ss 30(5), 30A(7).
44 NDIS Act ss 30(4)(a)-(c).45 NDIS Act s 30(4)(d) released was
46 NDIS Act s 100.
47 NDIS Act s 100(2).
48 NDIS Act s 102.
49 NDIS Act s 19(2)
50 NDIS Act s 46(1).

document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 25 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 516 of 910

NDIS Act ss 29, 37(3)(c).

NDIS Act s 29(2).53 NDIS Act s 29(1)(a). Agency

NDIS Act ss 46(1), 182(3).

NDIS Act ss 182(1)-(2).

NDIS Act s 66(1)(a) – Public Interest Certification For The Release Of Protected Agency Information Relating To Deceased Participants dated 28 April 2020.

Insurance

Disability

National

the by 1982 Act Information of Freedom under was released document10 February 2025 Our Guideline – Leaving the NDIS Page 26 of 26 This document is correct at the date of publication. This Page 517 of 910