NDIS Terms in Plain English: The Words You’ll Use

The NDIS “must-know” terms (quick map)

When you start using the NDIS, you’ll hear lots of names for things that can feel confusing. This quick map helps you understand the most common terms you’ll see in your plan, forms, and provider conversations. If something doesn’t make sense, you can always ask your plan manager or a support coordinator to explain it in plain language.

Participant means you (the person the NDIS supports). Plan is your written agreement with goals, supports, and budgets. Supports are the things the NDIS funds to help you reach your goals—like therapy, assistive technology, nursing, or help with daily living. Provider is a person or organisation that delivers supports to you. Capacity building supports are supports aimed at helping you develop skills, build independence, and improve day-to-day functioning.

Reasonable and necessary is a key NDIS phrase. It generally means the support must relate to your disability needs, be effective, and fit your situation. Another common term is reasonable costs—the price should match the kind of service being delivered. If you’re comparing providers, My Care Finders can help you sort through options by linking what’s offered to what you actually need, so you can ask better questions.

Key takeaway: “If you can’t link the term to your plan goals, ask for it in plain English.”

If you use plan management, you may hear MyMoney NDIS mentioned. Plan management can help with paying invoices, budgeting, and keeping track of how your support funds are used. Many participants use this to make funding easier to manage—especially when choosing between supports and providers. My Care Finders can also be a practical starting point for comparing what different providers claim to offer, and whether it lines up with the supports in your plan.

• Participant: you
• Plan: your goals, supports, and budgets
• Provider: the organisation delivering supports
• Capacity building: supports to build skills and independence
• Reasonable and necessary: supports that suit your needs and goals
• Plan management: managing payments (e.g. via MyMoney NDIS)