Electronic Communication Devices SchemeShop C1, Central West Shopping Centre

67 Ashley Street, Braybrook VIC 3019P.O. Box 1235, Robinson VIC 3019

Telephone 9362 6111www.yooralla.com.au

ABN 14 005 304 432

25 July 2018

NDIS Applications for the Electronic Communication Devices Scheme

Frequently Asked Questions1. I have submitted an application for an NDIS participant to ECDS and we are waiting for

an outcome from NDIA:

ECDS will honour all pending applications for NDIS participants. ECDS will continue to provide follow up and support until a delegate decision has been received.

If NDIA approve your application, we will order the equipment and organise delivery.

2. I have submitted an application for an individual who has not yet transitioned to NDIS. The application has been placed on the ECDS waitlist.

If the individual reaches top of the waitlist and does not live in an area that has already transitioned to the NDIS, we will order the approved equipment funded by the DHHS state-wide scheme.

When the individual’s region transitions to the NDIS – they will be removed from the state-wide waitlist.

If the application is on the state-wide waitlist prior to August 1 2018, ECDS will support the transition of the application to be processed via NDIA.

If applications are submitted to ECDS after August 1 2018 and are placed on the state-wide waitlist i.e. if the individual’s region has not yet transitioned to the NDIS, once the region does transition, they will be removed from the state-wide waitlist and the prescribing therapist will need to submit the application directly to NDIA. Please do not use the ECDS Speech Pathology Report form. Unfortunately we will not be able to assist you with this process.

3. If the individual lives in an area which has not yet transitioned to the NDIS, will they reach the top of the state-wide waitlist before they transition?

Please note the significant reductions in funding capacity/budget of the ECD Scheme as state funds are transferred to the NDIS. This will affect wait times for subsidy funding.

Our current waitlist as at July 25 2018 is approximately $140,000 which equates to a timeframe of approximately 6 months.

4. I would like to submit/am considering submitting an application for an individual who will be eligible for NDIS, yet has not yet transitioned to NDIS/does not have an NDIS plan.

If the individual lives in an area where the rollout has occurred, you will need to submit your request to the NDIA (after August 1 2018).

5. The individual has a communication device previously issued by ECDS, prior to them becoming an NDIS participant. The device needs to be repaired.

If the individual is already an NDIS participant or lives in an area where the NDIS has already transitioned, you will need to submit your request for repair to the NDIA

If the participant does not yet have an NDIS plan, the ECDS will consider funding urgent repair requests on a case by case basis

6. The individual has recently transitioned to NDIS and has an approved plan.

You will need to submit your request to the NDIA

7. The individual is aged 65 years old or older

You can submit your request to ECDS for funding via the DHHS state-funded Aids and Equipment Program

8. How do I submit an application to NDIA after August 1 2018?

Prescribers should be advised to submit applications directly to the agency from 1 August 2018, using the templates available on the NDIS Website.  

We recommend that you seek current advice from NDIA regarding how to apply for communication assistive technology. You may wish to refer to information on the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/providing-at.html

Applications should submitted to the following NDIA offices via the following email addresses.  Please do not cc to any other email address:

Vic West AT.VICWEST@ndis.gov.au Vic North vicnorth.equipment@ndis.gov.au Vic East vicEAST@ndis.gov.au

Please contact NDIA for further information regarding this process.

If you require any further information, please contact ECDS Manager, Kim Magee kim.magee@yooralla.com.au or phone 9362 6111

Page 2 of 2 Updated: 25/07/18