How to use NDIS funding to start your own business

MyCareSpace recently presented a webinar titled: How use your NDIS funds to smash barriers & create innovative post school options (employment, social & community participation)

We spoke about how to start a business (a micro enterprise) and the BIG question on most people's lips was "how can I use my NDIS funding to start a business?"

We asked Libby Ellis of InCharge - an organisation that helps people start a very small business or micro enterprise - to give us some ideas about how funding could be used for different aspects of a micro enterprise.

She told us to remember that it really makes life easier if you are self or plan managed. If you are NDIA managed (also called Agency managed) you will need to find or negotiate with a registered provider who can deliver a more personalised approach based on the services and tasks you need assistance with. If you have a Support Coordinator, this kind of research and negotiation is something they can help with.

In principle, it is good to think about the kinds of things that might act as a barrier to you in starting your own business because of the impact of your disability. Then, how could your NDIS funding reduce or solve that barrier?

Some examples might be:

• Help you think about your skills, strengths and interests and link these with a business idea
• Assist you develop a business or marketing plan
• Find others who can help you make a business or marketing plan
• Help to understand legal issues
• Help to find legal advice
• Organising the systems you need - for example, recording your stock or money management
• Assist you to make your product or deliver your service
• Having equipment that helps you work in your business more independently
• Teach you the steps of making your product or delivering a service
• Creating visual or other supports which help you do your job
• Learning behaviours which are appropriate to your business  - for example customer service skills

InCharge is part of a project that supports people with disability in western Sydney and western NSW who want to learn about starting a small business.

If you live in western Sydney or the lower Blue Mountains you can find out more here. You can also check out the group's Facebook page here. 

If you live in Dubbo you can find out more here. 

Here is a list of other ideas and their NDIS funding support categories: 

Other Resources

Here are organisations that support employment, provide mentoring or help start a business:

NSW

• Mind Your Business (by InCharge)
• National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program
  • How do I find an NDCO
  • Adcet
  • NDCO: Pathways and Connections (Hunter - Central Coast) AWESOME EXAMPLE OF RESOURCES

• Workways NDIS Employment Services (Illawarra region
• Cerebral Palsy Career Labs
• Cerebral Palsy SLES options
• Uni 2 Beyond
• The Verge Collaborative
• The Rural Woman
• Challenge Community Service Preparing for Work Program - Contact Katie Butler 
• Challenge Community Services Employment  

​SA

• Flinders University - Up the Hill Project
• Community Living Project - MicroEnterprise Project

VIC

• Lifeful - Employment Support
• Belonging Matters
• Inclusion Melbourne

WA

• Valued Lives Micro-enterprise Project: FB Page / Website
• Colab