CIRCLE INSIGHTS
Rebranded NDIS Toolkit: Making the NDIS Simple & Accessible
Introducing our rebranded NDIS Toolkit: a comprehensive guide to understanding the NDIS 💜
We speak the lingo so you don’t have to, bringing together NDIS and Circle SC resources in one accessible place.
NDIS UPDATES
Federal Government Announces New “Thriving Kids” Program
In a major announcement at the National Press Club, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, Mark Butler, unveiled the Federal Government’s new Thriving Kids program. Backed by a $2 billion investment and set to launch on 1 July 2026, this program will focus on supporting children with mild-to-moderate developmental delays and autism.
Key Details
Children already on the NDIS, or those who join before the rollout, will not be automatically removed. However, they will still be subject to regular reassessments.
The program will be co-designed with the disability community, led by Professor Frank Oberklaid, a leading paediatrician and childhood development expert.
What Thriving Kids May Include
Minister Butler outlined several initiatives under consideration:
A national rollout of the WA-based Inklings program, helping parents engage with their baby’s communication style.
Workforce training for GPs plus a new Medicare item for bulk-billed child development assessments.
New Medicare items for allied health supports for children.
Expansion of state-based community drop-in centres.
Nationally consistent online information services.
More supports delivered through early childhood education centres, supported by the government’s $1 billion Building Early Education Fund.
Why Thriving Kids?
The government is concerned about the rapid growth of children entering the NDIS, with:
1 in 10 Australian children on the Scheme.
1 in 6 boys enrolled.
Nearly half of all new participants under the age of 9.
Minister Butler argued that families currently see the NDIS as the only option, but the new program aims to provide earlier, community-based supports.
The goal: refocus the NDIS on its “North Star,” supporting people with permanent and significant disability.
Other Key Announcements
NDIS growth target: Long-term growth should sit between 5–6% (down from the current 8% cap).
Provider registration: A push for more robust systems, with concern that only 16,000 of 260,000 providers are registered.
Foundational supports: Thriving Kids will form the early childhood stream, with other supports for different cohorts to follow.
NDIS Reform Advisory Committee: New appointments were announced, expected to shape the design of Thriving Kids.
What’s Next
Minister Butler acknowledged that Thriving Kids will rely heavily on cooperation from States and Territories but promised it will be a nationally consistent, federally-led program. More reforms to the NDIS are expected as the government balances sustainability with community needs.
CIRCLE INSIGHTS
Making the NDIS Simple: Tune Into the NDIS Circle Podcast
Navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.
The NDIS Circle Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things NDIS. From understanding complex supports to hearing real stories and expert insights, we’re here to make the NDIS clearer, simpler, and more accessible for participants, providers, and families alike.
Hosted by our Director, Dan McCutcheon, each episode is designed to cut through the noise and give you practical knowledge you can use.
👉 Listen now:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3xuWQxv
CIRCLE SPOTLIGHT
Participants’ Wins 🙌
🌤️ A Fresh Start for Christopher
Since 2023 we have supported Christopher who lives with Autism, an Intellectual Disability, and Epilepsy. For years, he moved through group homes with highly restricted environments: limited outdoor access, little furniture due to safety concerns, and over a year without community access because of transport challenges.
With the help of a dedicated OT, a safe transport harness was sourced, opening the door to a move into brand-new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). 🏡✨
This new home offers a living room, kitchen, staff area, bedroom, and most importantly: two gardens, giving Christopher the freedom to enjoy the outdoors safely. 🌱☀️
The move wasn’t easy. It followed the passing of Christopher’s mother who was his main support, and involved complex coordination between the Department of Communities, support workers, a PBS practitioner, OT, speech pathologist, and GP. But through this collaboration, Christopher’s transition was made possible.
While there are still a few challenges to navigate, Christopher now has a safe home, a strong support team, and the foundations for a brighter future. 💜
🏡 A Step Forward
We’re proud to share the story of a young man supported by our specialist support coordinator Josh. At just 18, and transitioning back into the community after incarceration, he has been accepted into Plan and Grow’s Justice Program which includes supported accommodation. 🏡
For the next six months, he will live independently with tailored drop-in supports before welcoming a housemate. His new home is close to family and near the coast he loves, creating the right environment for stability, growth, and fresh beginnings. 🌊
CIRCLE INSIGHTS
Sleepover vs. Active Overnight: Knowing the Difference 🌙
We’ve recently come across situations where it wasn’t clear whether a shift should be billed as a sleepover or an active overnight. Getting this right is essential — not just for funding, but for ensuring workers are paid fairly and participants receive the right support.
🛏️ Sleepover Shift
Definition: A worker is required to sleep overnight at the participant’s home.
Span: A continuous 8-hour period.
Allowance: Up to 2 hours of active support (e.g., if woken during the night).
NDIS rate: Capped at $297.60 per shift.
Award requirement (SCHADS):
Must be provided a separate room with a clean bed.
Paid minimum allowance + extra pay if more than 2 hours of active work is required.
Key point: If supports exceed 2 active hours, it’s no longer considered a sleepover.
🌃 Active Overnight
Definition: Worker is awake and providing support during normal sleeping hours.
No sleep permitted: Rostered as an active worker.
NDIS rate: Hourly active support rate (weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday).
Example: Toileting, medication prompts, or behaviour intervention multiple times per night.
🧾 Practical Guidance for Providers
If supports total under 2 hours, it can be a sleepover.
If supports regularly exceed 2 hours, it must be an active overnight.
Where active support time consistently exceeds 2 hours, request an NDIA plan reassessment (if needed) to explore active overnight funding.
Log all wake-ups and active support tasks as evidence.
Ensure workers are paid and treated correctly under SCHADS and Fair Work legislation even if the NDIS funding doesn’t reflect the support being provided.
Record keeping: Document every wake-up and task.
Workplace safety: If no safe sleep space is provided, treat as active.
Funding mismatch: If only sleepovers are funded but active support is needed, consider:
Assistive technology (alarms, sensors).
Allied health input (OT, RN, PBS).
Lodging a change of circumstances or reassessment request with the NDIA.
📌 The Bottom Line
Sleepover = mostly asleep, ≤2 hours active, capped $297.60.
Active overnight = awake and working, every hour billed at the relevant rate.
If supports exceed the 2-hour cap, classify as active overnight and escalate with the NDIA if funding doesn’t match.
RESOURCES
What You Need to Know About Consumables & Assistive Technology (AT)
Navigating NDIS funding for consumables and Assistive Technology (AT) can be complex — but understanding the difference between categories and evidence requirements can really empower you to advocate effectively! Here’s a handy breakdown:
1. Consumables
Everyday essentials related to a person’s disability — like tube feeding supplies, dressings, continence aids, and more.
Funded under the Core budget in the “Consumables” category regardless of cost.
No additional evidence needed once the item is part of the participant’s plan — purchases can be made directly from the flexible Core budget.
2. Assistive Technology (AT)
AT refers to devices or equipment that help someone do something they otherwise couldn’t, or couldn’t do as safely or independently.
Funding and approval process vary by cost tier:
Cost Tier | Cost Range | Funding Category | Evidence Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Low-cost AT | Up to $1,500 | Core – Consumables | Depends on risk level (low vs high) |
Mid-cost AT | $1,500 – $15,000 | Capital – Assistive Technology | Requires AT advisor advice; no quotes needed |
High-cost AT | Over $15,000 | Capital – Assistive Technology | Requires assessor report and formal quote |
💡 Why It Matters
Avoid unnecessary delays or claim rejections by providing the right type of evidence for each category.
Knowing whether an item counts as consumable or AT helps align purchases with the correct budget — Core vs Capital.
Being aware of risk levels within low-cost AT ensures safety and compliance.
RESOURCES
Contractor vs. Employee: What’s the Difference in Disability Support?
In disability support, the line between employee and contractor can sometimes be unclear, but it’s an important distinction. Each role carries different rights, responsibilities, and risks which is particularly important to know if you self-manage your NDIS funding or are supported by independent support workers.
Here’s a breakdown:
👩💼 Employees
Paid for time worked rather than per job.
Employer takes care of tax obligations and superannuation.
Provided with most of the equipment, insurance, and tools needed.
Take on no commercial risk — responsibility lies with the employer.
Can be directed on what work to perform and how to complete tasks.
Considered part of the employer’s business, with obligations to it.
🛠️ Contractors
Often paid based on a quoted fee for a job, not hours worked.
Free to negotiate fees and working arrangements per job.
Manage their own tax and super obligations.
Must provide their own equipment, insurance, and tools.
Bear commercial risk — responsible for the quality of their own work.
Have freedom in how to complete tasks (within the contractor agreement).
Operate as independent businesses.
🌟 Why the Difference Counts
Understanding the distinction helps providers, participants, and workers navigate obligations, protections, and risks more clearly. Getting it right is key to ensuring compliance and building fair sustainable working relationships.
RESOURCES
SIL Claiming: What to Do in Key Scenarios 🏠
Understanding how to claim correctly under Supported Independent Living (SIL) when things don’t go to plan is essential. Here are the three main situations to be across:
1️⃣ Unplanned Exit (death or irretrievable breakdown)
Claim up to 28 days (4 weeks) of SIL at the weekly rate.
Only one claim per plan period.
Must be supported by a service agreement and NDIA notification.
2️⃣ Irregular Support (extra care at home, e.g. sickness)
Use the Irregular SIL Support claim type.
Must be genuinely unplanned and outside the Roster of Care.
Requires participant agreement (ideally included in the service agreement).
Cannot exceed what’s already in the Roster of Care.
3️⃣ Short-Notice Cancellation (e.g. hospital or respite stay)
If the participant leaves with less than 7 clear days’ notice, you may claim up to 7 days of SIL at the agreed rate.
After 7 days, SIL cannot be claimed while the participant is away (their hospital or respite stay covers care needs).
📌 Provider Essentials
✅ Always align claims with the Roster of Care and Pricing Arrangements.
✅ Keep service agreements clear on exits, cancellations, and irregular supports.
✅ Notify the NDIA in cases of unplanned exit or long absences.
✅ Remember: after 7 days in hospital, SIL claiming must stop.
CIRCLE INSIGHTS
Helping Families Access Replacement Supports
We recently supported a family to apply for a replacement support, a communication app designed to help their child communicate both during and outside of speech pathology sessions.
This type of support falls under the NDIS "Out List," meaning it isn’t usually funded. However, under the NDIS Act, some replacement supports can be approved if they are replacing an existing support, such as a support worker.
It’s an important reminder that with the right advocacy and process, families can still access essential tools that make a real difference in daily life.
