Key Takeaways at a Glance
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Separation of Funds: The NDIS is designed to support your specific disability needs, while Centrelink payments are for your daily living expenses; they serve two different purposes and are managed separately.
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No Impact on Income Tests: NDIS funding is tax-exempt and is not counted as income or assets. Therefore, receiving an NDIS plan will not reduce your Disability Support Pension or other Centrelink payments.
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Mobility Allowance Changes: For most NDIS participants, the Mobility Allowance has been folded into the NDIS transport funding. However, those not on the NDIS may still access it via Centrelink.
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Health Care Card Security: You will retain your Centrelink-issued Health Care Card even after receiving an NDIS plan, ensuring you keep your concessions on medicine and bills.
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Holistic Management: The best approach is to ensure your NDIS plan is comprehensive enough to cover all disability-related costs, leaving your Centrelink payments free for rent, food, and general living.
If you’re someone who’s currently receiving Centrelink payments for yourself or your loved one, you may be wondering, what happens to my Centrelink payments when I get an NDIS plan? This article is here to clear things up a little and help you navigate the process.
👉Explore our comprehensive NDIS & Disability Services Guide for in-depth insights and support options tailored to your needs.
How do income tests for Centrelink payments work?
Centrelink will assess your income and assets to determine whether you are eligible for their payments, which include:
- The Age Pension
- Austudy
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payment
- JobSeeker Payment
- Partner Allowance
If your earnings are above the limits set by Centrelink, your payments may be reduced or restricted. To find out more about income and asset tests, visit the Services Australia website.
Will NDIS funding impact my Centrelink payments?
Centrelink does not include NDIS funding in their income or asset tests, which means that accessing NDIS funding will not impact your Centrelink payments. The National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed to help Australians living with a disability access care services from registered NDIS providers in Sydney and across Australia, and is not considered to be a form of income support like a Centrelink payment.
The funding you receive through the NDIS will go towards helping you or your loved one receive the types of care needed to live safely and as independently as possible, while appropriately managing the disability. Because NDIS funding is provided for very specific purposes and does not count as a form of income, it is also not taxed and does not impact Child Support Benefit.
Will my NDIS funding be reduced if I receive Centrelink payments?
No. NDIS funding is not means-tested and does not depend on your income or assets. Receiving Centrelink payments will not impact your ability to qualify for NDIS funding support. To request access to the NDIS, you can fill out an Access Request Form, either verbally, on paper, or online.
Can I receive the Mobility Allowance from Centrelink if I have an NDIS plan?
When the NDIS was introduced, multiple different programs merged into one under the NDIS. The Mobility Allowance was one of these. However, some people may still access the Mobility Allowance from Centrelink, even without an NDIS plan. This direct payment from Centrelink is for people who:
- Are over 16 years of age
- Have a disability
- Require assistance using public transport services
- Need to use public transport for activities such as work, study, training, or job seeking
If you are currently receiving NDIS funding under an NDIS plan, you will not need to access the Mobility Allowance via Centrelink, as the NDIS will provide the appropriate payments for your transport needs.
What happens to my Health Care Card if I have an NDIS plan?
Your Health Care Card can be used to lower the cost of things like utility bills, public transport tickets, and car registration. Therefore, you will be able to keep your Health Care Card, issued by Centrelink, even if you receive NDIS funding.
How do I manage my Centrelink and NDIS support payments?
While your NDIS payments are designed to be used for specific services (including home care services, travel and transport, household assistance, health needs and nursing, and more), Centrelink income support payments are there for general use, withdrawn from your bank account, at your discretion. You can think of the NDIS as supporting your disability and Centrelink as being your income, used for everything else.
The best way to manage both your Centrelink payments and your NDIS funding is to make sure you’re on the best NDIS plan. That way, you can be sure that your NDIS funding is covering all eligible aspects of your life relating to managing your disability, and that you don’t need to use your Centrelink payments for those things. Contact Care For Family today to find out more about designing an NDIS care plan that is right for you.
Frequently answered questions (FAQs)
1. Will my Disability Support Pension be cut if I get an NDIS plan?
No. NDIS funding is not means-tested and is not considered income, so it will not affect your eligibility or the amount of your Centrelink pension.
2. Is NDIS funding taxable?
No. NDIS funding is tax-exempt because it is provided strictly for the purchase of disability-related supports and services, not as personal income.
3. Do I still need to apply for the Mobility Allowance?
If you have an NDIS plan that includes transport funding, you generally do not need the Mobility Allowance. The NDIS is designed to replace this specific payment for participants.
4. Can I use my NDIS funds for rent or groceries?
No. NDIS funds are strictly for supports related to your disability (like therapies or support workers). Your Centrelink payments are intended to cover daily living costs like rent and food.
5. Who can help me manage these different payments?
Care For Family can help you design a robust NDIS care plan to ensure your disability needs are met, allowing you to manage your Centrelink income for your personal lifestyle needs.
