Breaking News: NDIS and Bushfire Crisis

The NDIS has provided the following information in light of the Bushfires. It includes which offices have been affected and closed, where to get emergency support and what happens if you need emergency disability support.

Office closures

A number of NDIA and Partners in the Community offices are closed due to bushfires, air quality and weather conditions across ACT, NSW and Vic:

Australian Capital Territory

• Philip (Feros Care)

New South Wales

• Albury (Intereach)
• Batemans Bay (NDIA and Uniting)
• Bega (NDIA and Each)
• Camden (Each)
• Cooma (Uniting)
• Merimbula (Uniting)
• Moruya (Each)
• Nowra (Uniting)
• Unanderra (Lifestart Cooperative)

Victoria

• Bairnsdale (NDIA and LINK)
• Corryong (Latrobe Community Health Service)
• Bright (Latrobe Community Health Service)
• Mansfield (Latrobe Community Health Service)
• Yackandandah (Latrobe Community Health Service)

We will publish further updates regarding office closures as more information becomes available.

Emergency support

Your local emergency services are your first responders during this period.

Emergency services will issue warnings when an emergency is likely to impact your area.

Your state and territory emergency services will provide you with information on what is happening and our best advice on what you should do.

It is important you regularly check on local weather, air quality and fire conditions. Find further information below:

• ACT Health – Air Quality
• ACT Fire and Rescue
• NSW Rural Fire Services
• NSW Department of Environment
• Emergency Management Victoria
• EPA AirWatch Victoria
• SA CFS – Warning and Incidents
• Emergency WA – Warning and Incidents
• Rural Fire Service - QLD

Support after an emergency

NDIS participants

Any NDIS participant who needs assistance with their disability supports due to the bushfire situation is encouraged to contact 1800 800 110 to discuss their circumstances.

The NDIS contact centre is open 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday.

Participants impacted by the bushfires are being prioritised to ensure they can continue to receive their disability related supports, including any additional supports that may be required such as replacing equipment, additional care or therapies.

Payments from Services Australia (Centrelink)

Assistance is available if you can show you lost income or have been adversely affected as a direct result of the bushfires.

Bushfire-affected Australians in declared regions are able to claim disaster payments the Services Australia (Centrelink).

Impacted people can call 180 22 66. Information on eligibility is available from the Human Services website .

Advice for providers

If you are a provider and have been contacted to deliver services to a participant immediately before, during or after the emergency.

• The priority is to ensure that disability supports meet the immediate needs of NDIS participants.
• Please deliver the services required and following the disaster contact the NDIA contact centre on 1800 800 110 or provider.support@ndis.gov.au and include Natural Disaster in the subject line. The NDIA will arrange for an urgent plan review post the disaster event.