National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The Hearing Services Program (HSP) and NDIS fund public hearing services in Australia.
The HSP funds hearing services for Australian citizens and permanent residents, including children and young people under 26, who satisfy its eligibility criteria.

The NDIS funds hearing supports for NDIS participants aged 26 and over who are not eligible for the HSP. The NDIS also funds additional reasonable and necessary hearing supports for participants if they are not available through the HSP. This includes people under 26.

You can access the NDIS and HSP at the same time but you can’t get the same supports from both programs at the same time.

If you are an NDIS participant accessing services and support from the HSP, there will be no immediate changes to your current arrangements.

If you are applying to access the NDIS, you will need to meet the disability or early intervention requirements outlined in the NDIS Act.

Eligibility for hearing loss to apply NDIS:

If you have an average hearing loss that is moderately-severe (65 decibels or more) in your better ear, you may meet the eligibility criteria for the NDIS. If your hearing loss is below this average, but you have other permanent impairments e.g. vision or cognitive impairments, or significant difficulty with understanding speech, you may be eligible for the NDIS.

To apply for the NDIS you will need to complete an Access Request form, which can be requested by:

• Calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110
• Using the NDIA teletypewriter (TTY) service on 1800 555 677
• Phoning the National Relay Service, 1800 555 727
• Telephone Interpreting Service, 131 450
• Completing an online contact form
• Emailing NAT@ndis.gov.au
• Visiting a local office
• Posting a letter to the National Disability Insurance Agency, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601.

Home Care Package Program

The Home Care Packages Program is designed to help older people with complex care needs live independently at home. It allows you to access a variety of personal care, allied health, and clinical services to help you maintain optimal physical, sensory, psychological, cognitive, social, and cultural functions.

Hearing aids, which are vital for communication, social well-being and welfare at home, may be funded under a Home Care Package.

Through a Home Care Package, a coordinated range of services is provided, which can include:

• Assistance with household tasks
• Personal equipment, such as walking frames and hearing aids
• Minor home modifications
• Personal care
• Clinical care, including nursing, allied health, and physiotherapy services

There are four levels of Home Care Packages, each catering to different care needs:

Level 1: Basic care needs
Level 2: Low care needs
Level 3: Intermediate care needs
Level 4: High care needs

Eligibility

Eligibility for a Home Care Package is determined by an assessment of your care needs. To qualify, you must be:

• An older person needing coordinated services to remain at home, or
• A younger person with a disability, dementia, or other care needs not covered by other specialist services

Your financial situation does not affect your eligibility. However, you cannot claim through a Home Care Package if you are already receiving government support, such as the Hearing Services Program.

To apply:

You can complete the application yourself or on behalf of a family member or friend. If you’d like to set up an ongoing support person, you can also do that here.