Resources to help with the costs of disability.
Approximately one in six people in Australia live with disability. They are more likely to experience financial hardship and social exclusion. While Australia has the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), these supports are increasingly targeted and have tight eligibility requirements. Other supports like the Jobseeker payment push people to find paid work, even if disability prevents them from doing so.
On this page, we’ve compiled some resources to help you, or the people you care about meet the costs of disability.
General links and resources
| Resource | What to expect |
| Disability Gateway Department of Social Services | Information and services for people with disability, and their family, friends and carers |
| Government directory Department of Social Services | Services for people with disability and carers |
| My Aged Care | Support for older Australians with disability |
| DSP Help Social Security Rights Victoria | Support with navigating and applying for the Disability Support Pension |
| Disability advocacy finder Ask Izzy by Infoxchange | Find independent Disability Advocacy providers in your area |
| NDIS supports for ineligible people National Disability Insurance Agency | List of organisations who can help with support, nationally and in the states and territories |
About the Disability Support Pension (DSP)
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is the primary government support payment for people living with disability. Eligibility requirements for the DSP have become increasingly restricted over the years. Many with disability are now receiving Jobseeker rather than DSP payments – even when they can prove they have partial capacity to work or are entirely unable to work.
Where can you get help accessing the DSP?
DSP Help – use this for help with applying for the DSP
Free legal services– search for local help with rejected applications
Centrelink
The Australian Government provides income support payments through Centrelink. You can use this tool to learn about your eligibility for payments, including the DSP, or go to Services Australia to learn more about the services and support they offer.
Dealing with Centrelink
Many people find dealing with Centrelink difficult. Applying for payments can be confusing. Most payments are set too low and have overly strict requirements.
📌 See our dealing with Centrelink page.
NDIS resources
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for a personalised support plan for people living with permanent and significant disability. Once you have a plan, the services themselves are provided by other organisations. Navigating the NDIS can be a complex process.
About the NDIS
NDIS website – go straight to their home page
Eligibility – take a quiz at the NDIS website
Brotherhood of St. Laurence – the NDIS services we provide
Applying
How to apply – providing evidence and what to do
Getting help – how to get help applying
Dealing with the NDIS
Tip sheets for dealing with the NDIS – from the Victorian Advocacy League For Individuals With Disability
Making a complaint
Make a complaint about an NDIS provider – at the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
More support in your state or territory
State and territory governments provide support for low or no cost to people living with a disability. This includes financial support, advocacy, everyday support services, housing support, aids around the home, and information on your rights.
Accessing transport
There are supports available for getting around with a disability. These include public transport concessions, taxi schemes, and local community transport options.
📌 Visit the Disability Gateway for more information on transport and see our transport page.
This information was last updated on 5 June 2023.
The links and resources in this article have been compiled and reviewed by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. We aren’t responsible for what you’ll find at the links, though we do hope you find the information useful. See our disclaimer if you’d like to know more.
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