Accessing the NDIS in Regional and Remote Communities

NDIS
Written By Carol Hegan

Living in regional or remote areas of Australia offers unique opportunities and challenges. For individuals with disabilities and their families, accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can present specific hurdles. This blog aims to provide clear, person-centred information to help navigate the NDIS in these communities.

Understanding the Barriers

Families in rural and remote areas often face:

  • Limited Local Services: Fewer healthcare providers and support services can lead to longer wait times and reduced access to necessary care.

  • Geographical Isolation: Distance from service centres can make attending appointments and accessing support more challenging.

  • Workforce Shortages: A scarcity of qualified professionals in remote regions can impact the availability and consistency of services.

Who Can Help When There's No Local Area Coordinator (LAC)?

Many remote communities do not have a NDIS office or a Local Area Coordinator, which can also makes accessing information and support a challenge for individuals and families. In areas without an LAC, the NDIS has implemented several initiatives:

  • Remote Community Connectors: Trusted local organisations who assist people with disabilities in understanding and accessing the NDIS. As of September 2024, approximately 200 connectors are active across 480 communities in NT, SA, WA, and QLD.

  • NDIS Partners in the Community: Organisations that deliver NDIS services in areas lacking direct NDIA presence. This may included planning services and reviews.

  • Community Health Services: Local health centres often collaborate with the NDIS to provide information and support.

Where the above organisations are not available or accessible, the NDIS also aims to offer a range of telehealth and digital services..

Accessing Remote Support: Telehealth and Digital Services

The NDIS recognises the importance of flexible service delivery for those that live in regional and remote areas, as well as those who may experience challenges in accessing services outside the home, and aim to provide support through:

  • Telehealth: Participants can access therapy sessions, planning meetings, and consultations via video conferencing, reducing the need for travel.

  • Email and Phone Support: Ongoing communication with NDIS planners and support coordinators is facilitated through digital means.

  • Online Resources: The NDIS website offers a range of tools and information to assist participants in remote areas.

What the NDIS Funds for Participants living in Regional and Remote Areas

Living in a regional or remote area doesn't mean you should receive fewer supports – in fact, the NDIS recognises the added challenges of distance, service gaps, and reduced access to providers, and has built in specific funding mechanisms to support participants living outside metropolitan areas.

Here are the key funding differences and supports available for regional and remote participants:

Modified Monash Model (MMM) Loadings

The NDIS uses the Modified Monash Model (MMM) to categorise remoteness. If you live in an MMM6 (remote) or MMM7 (very remote) area, your funding may include a Remote or Very Remote Loading, which is applied to provider payments. This recognises the increased costs of delivering services in isolated locations.

  • MMM6/7 participants may receive higher funding rates in their plans to account for travel time, staffing shortages, and outreach needs.

  • These loadings are automatically factored into the pricing limits for support providers and do not reduce your budget – they increase the rate your providers are paid.

Reference: NDIS Price Guide

Support Coordination to Bridge the Gap

In areas without access to a Local Area Coordinator (LAC), the NDIS is more likely to fund Support Coordination to help you:

  • Understand and implement your NDIS plan

  • Find and engage suitable providers (including online options)

  • Build your capacity to coordinate supports independently over time

Support Coordination can be essential for navigating the system when you're not connected to community partners, and it’s increasingly recognised as a critical support in rural and remote areas.

Assistive Technology to Stay Connected

The NDIS actively supports the use of low-cost Assistive Technology (AT) to help participants access online services, stay connected, and engage with their supports, particularly when in-person services aren’t available.

This includes funding for:

  • Tablets and iPads (if required for telehealth, therapy or communication)

  • Bluetooth headphones or microphones for virtual sessions

  • Keyboards, adaptive switches, or mouse alternatives

  • Internet modems (if essential to support delivery)

  • Visual timers, communication apps or AAC software

Low-cost AT refers to items under $1,500 and can often be purchased without a formal quote – making it a flexible and accessible funding option.

✅ Hint: Include a goal in your NDIS plan about staying connected or participating in online therapy to help justify AT items like tablets.

Travel and Outreach Supports

The NDIS may also fund travel-related supports where essential, such as:

  • Provider travel time to reach you (funded from your Core or Capacity Building budgets)

  • Participant transport funding, especially where no public options are available

  • Therapist outreach visits, especially for assessments or multidisciplinary support

💡 You can also ask for capacity building supports delivered via telehealth, especially where waitlists or distance are a barrier.

Additional Support and Resources

To further assist participants in regional and remote areas, the NDIS has implemented:

  • Thin Market Initiatives: Strategies to address service gaps in areas with limited provider availability.

    NDIS acknowledges that in many remote areas, there simply may not be enough service providers to meet demand. In these situations, you may benefit from:

    • Innovative or flexible supports (e.g., support workers also delivering some allied health tasks with supervision)

    • Unregistered provider use (with appropriate safeguards in place)

    • Longer-term plan durations to reduce review stress and maintain continuity

    These flexibilities are discussed on a case-by-case basis and should be raised during planning or reviews.

  • Culturally Appropriate Services: Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure services meet cultural needs.

    If you're part of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, or live in a remote region with unique cultural needs, the NDIS also provides flexibility around:

    • Working with local community connectors and trusted cultural liaisons

    • Funding for interpreters or language-based communication supports

    • Encouraging co-designed supports that are meaningful and safe

  • Community Engagement: Collaborations with local organisations to build capacity and deliver tailored supports.

Final Thoughts

While accessing the NDIS in regional and remote communities can present challenges, various supports and strategies are in place to assist families. By leveraging available resources and reaching out to designated contacts, individuals with disabilities can navigate the NDIS effectively, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive in their local communities.

For personalised assistance or more information, our team at The Inclusive Movement are regional and remote experts and can help guide you through the remote barriers. Contact us here

Carol Hegan
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