This blog explains disability support services in Australia for migrants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We cover the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other supports, and how the Indian Support Center can help you find the right services.
In the late 1960s, people from the Indian subcontinent started moving to Australia. Many of the first migrants were skilled workers like doctors, teachers and engineers. Over the decades, the South Asian community has grown a lot. Now about 500,000 people from our region live in Australia. Many of these families live in New South Wales, especially in Western Sydney. As our community grew, we saw the need for support that understands our background.
For this reason, the Indian Support Center (ISC) was created in 2015. It is a charity that provides one-on-one and community support to help people from the Indian subcontinent adapt to life in Australia. In this post, we focus on NDIS support for the Indian community and other disability services for people from South Asia. We also cover South Asian disability support in Australia and explain how the Indian Support Center can help you.
What are disability support services?
In Australia, disability support services are help for people with long-term disability or health problems. The biggest program is the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). The NDIS is run by the government. When you join the NDIS, you get a plan (budget) that lists the supports you can use. You or your family can choose how to spend this money. The Indian Support Center can help you understand your plan and use your budget wisely. The NDIS gives money and support to people who have a permanent and serious disability. The goal is to help people live more on their own and do more each day.
Disability support can include many things, such as:
- Home help: A support worker can help you with daily tasks at home, like cooking or cleaning.
- Therapy: You may get help from physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counselling.
- Personal care: Help with showering, dressing, eating or other personal tasks.
- Job or study support: Help finding a job, training programs, or support at school.
- Community activities: Help to attend social events, clubs, or classes to make friends.
- Equipment and aids: Items like wheelchairs, hearing aids, or home ramps to make life easier.
- Financial support: You may also qualify for government payments. For example, the Disability Support Pension provides money if your disability stops you from working. Families who care for someone with disability may get extra payments (called Carer Allowance or Carer Payment).
For example, the NDIS can pay for a support worker at home or for therapy (like physio or speech). It can also help with finding a job or joining group activities. These services improve your quality of life. They give you more time with family and friends and help you learn new skills or go to work. They also connect you to doctors, schools, community groups and other local services.
Australia also provides mainstream disability support through its health, education and community programs. For example, schools may have support for students with disability, and hospitals or clinics may offer therapy or equipment programs. Even if you do not apply to the NDIS, you can get help through these services.
The government also has a Disability Gateway website and helpline. The Disability Gateway helps people with disability, their families and carers find services in Australia. The Indian Support Center can help you use the Disability Gateway or find other resources to get the help you need.
Who can get disability support?
Not everyone can get NDIS help. But many people can. Here are the main rules:
- Live in Australia: You must live here. You should be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (or have certain visas).
- Age: Usually you must be under 65 years old. If you have a child under 9, special early-childhood programs can help your family. If you are 65 or older, NDIS does not cover you, but other aged care programs (like Home Care Packages) may help instead.
- Permanent disability: You need a long-term disability or impairment. This means a condition caused by a permanent issue (like a long-term illness or injury) that affects your daily life. For example, it might mean trouble walking, seeing or hearing, or a learning disability or autism. If you usually need disability-specific supports every day, you may be eligible.
The Indian Support Center can help you check these rules. We go through the checklist with you. If you meet the rules, we help you apply. If not, we can still connect you with other community programs that may help.
How disability supports help
Disability support services help you live a better life. They can do many things:
- Help with daily tasks: Having a support worker can help with showering, dressing, cooking or cleaning. This makes life at home easier and safer.
- Therapy and health: Services like physiotherapy, speech therapy, or psychology help you stay healthy and improve skills.
- Independence: Supports and equipment (like a wheelchair or hearing aid) let you do more on your own.
- Community and friends: Supports can help you join in community events, sports or clubs. This helps you meet people and feel part of your community.
- Work and skills: If you want to work, services can help you find a job or get training. If you go to school or college, you can get extra help there too.
- Safe housing: Some supports help you find a safe place to live or modify your home for your needs.
All of these supports give you more time with family and an improved quality of life. They help you learn new skills, find a job or volunteer, and connect to local services like doctors and schools.
How the Indian Support Center helps
The Indian Support Center is here to help South Asian migrants with disability support in Australia. We understand that it can be confusing to learn a new system in a new country. Our team understands your culture, speaks your language, and respects your needs. For example, we can explain things in Hindi or other South Asian languages if that is easier.
We can help you in many ways, including:
- Explain the system: We break down what the NDIS is and what other disability services are available. We use simple language (English or your own) to make it clear. For example, we can explain in Hindi or other South Asian languages if needed.
- Check eligibility: We help you see if you or your family member can apply for the NDIS. We explain the rules in a way you can understand.
- Apply for NDIS: If you are eligible, we help you gather documents and fill out the NDIS application forms. We can also talk to doctors or agencies on your behalf if needed.
- Plan making: When your NDIS application is accepted, the next step is to make your NDIS plan. We sit with you and help create a plan that reflects your goals, your family, your culture and your language needs. For example, your goals could be to learn new skills, join a community group, or find a better place to live. We help include supports so you can reach these goals.
- Connecting to services: Once you have a plan, we connect you with trusted local providers. These providers speak your language or understand your culture. We only work with providers who respect your background.
- Ongoing support: We stay by your side even after your plan starts. We check regularly that you are happy with your services, that you are reaching your goals, and that your plan still fits your life. If something needs to change, we help fix it.
For example, we can meet you at our Sydney office or talk on the phone. We can even attend meetings with you for extra support. Our team will be with you every step of the way. We offer long-term support until you feel confident with your services. We have helped many families from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries get the right NDIS support.
Get help today
You are not alone. For guidance and support with disability services, reach out to the Indian Support Center. Our friendly staff speak your language and are here to help. We can answer your questions, help you apply to the NDIS, and find the supports your family needs. You can call us at +61 480 110 453 or email . Our help is free and confidential. Contact the Indian Support Center today and let us help you get the support your family needs.