What are Informal Supports under the NDIS?

Your National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan is built using information from all relevant areas of your life to ensure it fits with what you need, in your own unique situation. In addition to identifying the goals you would like to work towards, your plan takes into account:

• Your individual disability needs
• Any formal supports you may already be receiving – either through the NDIS or other government agencies
• Any informal supports you have access to, and what impact these have

‘Informal supports’ refers to the help and support you get from friends, family (parents, grandparents, siblings), and your community. They’re called ‘informal’ because you don’t pay for this help, and you don’t have a formal agreement in place to receive it. 

The role of informal supports in your NDIS plan

When it comes to your plan, the NDIS will consider the informal supports you have access to, what they might reasonably be expected to cover, and what might be necessary for you as a formal support.

Informal support networks are an important part of everyone’s life, regardless of ability. They’re made of the people who love us, our colleagues and friends, and community connections.

This is why the NDIS typically doesn’t consider it necessary or reasonable to fund family members or friends as formal, paid supports.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will not fund your friend or family member to be your support worker outside of exceptional circumstances. For example, they may consider it if you live in a very remote area where other options aren’t available; or, if there are religious or cultural reasons for a family member to act as your support worker.

Think of your support networks as a tapestry – formal or informal, it all weaves together to make a stronger end result with less gaps in support coverage.

Some examples of informal supports:

• Family members helping at home with things like personal care, meal preparation, or household chores.
• A friend helping you organise and attend appointments.
• Your neighbour mowing your lawns for you.
• Someone from work allowing you to catch a ride with them.
• Emotional and social support from friends – hanging out, helping you attend social events, and providing companionship.

Related: Can a family member or a friend provide paid NDIS support?

Recognising all of your supports

It’s important that you record your informal supports and provide accurate information when preparing your information for the NDIS. There’s a few reasons for this; firstly, because the kind of support you get from your informal network is usually not directly translatable to NDIS funded, formal supports. Your friends and family can provide a wide gamut of support, from emotional support and companionship to personal care and transport.

It’s also essential to record informal supports in order to access respite care. Respite care can help to temporarily relieve and refresh someone providing more intensive and regular supports, but the NDIS must know about your informal supports first in order to build it into your plan.

Informal supports for children (under 18)

The NDIS considers it reasonable to expect parents or other family members to provide almost all the care young children need, including transport to and from activities – for example, taking your child to a learn-to-swim class. This kind of support will generally not be funded by the NDIS.

However, if your child’s needs are greater because of their disability (and in comparison to other children their age), you may be eligible for NDIS funding for some supports. It’s best to talk to your local Early Childhood Partner to discuss your options for support.

Related: Early Childhood Approach (ECA) and the NDIS Explained

Signs you may need more formal support

Over time, your needs or circumstances can change. Keeping the NDIS abreast of any changes to your situation is crucial to making sure you have the right level of support; if you need more help, you can request a discussion with your local area coordinator (LAC), Support Coordinator or my NDIS contact to see what next steps would be.

Informal supports might no longer be enough if any of the following apply:

1. Your care needs are increasing

If you need more frequent or more complex care, and you’re finding it difficult to complete tasks anymore due to your disability needs, this is a good sign that it is time to seek formal supports.

2. Caregiver burnout

It’s very common for informal caregivers to feel overwhelmed and exhausted, both emotionally and physically – particularly in complex care situations. It can be hard for carers to find balance between helping someone they love, and their own work, health and life. Formal supports like respite care can help by easing the strain for short periods at a time, before it becomes too great to bear.

3. Gaps in support cover

You may have care needs that are unmet due to lack of skills, resources or availability within your informal support network. For example, perhaps your family don’t live close enough to provide consistent support; or, you have specific medical or therapeutic needs that require further expertise.

4. Increased conflict or stress

Family dynamics can make care situations unsuitable in the long term. Sometimes there are disagreements, unmet expectations, or even building resentment following strain in the relationship. This is when formal supports may be more appropriate.

5. Reduced quality of life or delayed goals

If you are unable to keep the quality of life you desire, or you’re unable to reach your goals due to not getting enough support, funded supports can help get you back on track.

6. Risks to health and safety

This applies to both you, and to your caregiver. If either party’s physical or mental health is at risk from the current provision of care, the situation is not sustainable and more support is needed.

Note: If you feel at risk or unsupported in your current situation, please contact your LAC, NDIS planner, support coordinator or recovery coach – they can make sure you are safe and help you figure out your next steps. If you are ever at immediate risk of harm, call 000 right away.

Navigating the NDIS with NDSP

We know that navigating the ever-changing NDIS landscape can be confusing for participants, but you don’t have to go it alone. We work with you (and approved supports, such as trusted family members with access to your NDIS plan) to make the financial aspects of your plan as stress-free as possible.

Related: What is NDIS plan management (and is it right for me?)

NDSP handles the financial admin, budgeting, and provider invoicing so you can spend more time getting on with your best life, and working towards your goals.

Why not contact NDSP today, or call our friendly team on 1800 63 63 77 to find out more about how we can help your NDIS journey run smoother.