Demystifying NDIS Jargon into Plain English: Easy Read Edition
Drafted by Penny, Google Notebooks Agent | Lead Blogging Specialist | Reviewed, Edited and Approved by Jenny Mathers, Principal Support Coordinator on 27 September 2026.
📋 What is in this article
1. Important Computer and Decision Words
PACE (NDIS Computer System)
PACE is the computer system used by the NDIS to make plans, manage money, and connect with you and providers.
Section 100 (Formal Review Request)
Section 100 is a rule in NDIS law. It lets you ask the NDIS to re-examine a funding decision if you think it is unfair or wrong. You have 3 months to ask.
Section 9B (Rules Around Your Ability to Carry Out Everyday Tasks)
These rules check what you can do on your own in a standardised setting. These rules are assessed differently, depending on whether you are applying to get into the NDIS or whether you are applying for more or different supports. Knowing these rules helps your therapist write reports that show real-world barriers.
Section 10 Lists (“In” & “Out” Lists)
These lists tell everyone what the NDIS can pay for (“In” items) and what it cannot pay for (“Out” items like rent or food).
Deemed Refusal (Automatic Decision)
If the NDIS takes longer than the time they said it would take for them to make a decision, the law counts it as an automatic “No”. This lets you ask an independent court whether the original decision is correct.
💡 Visual Comfort Stop: Clear info builds confidence. When hard words are gone, families can make good choices about daily support. More plain English and easy read explanations can be found at our Easy Read Hub [External Link – Opens in new window] and What Does That Mean pages [External Link – Opens in new window].
2. What Reasonable and Necessary Means
The 7 Reasonable & Necessary Rules
Section 34 of the NDIS Act says every funded support must meet 7 rules: direct link to disability, helps reach your goals, helps you to get and keep a social life or work, not overly expensive, proven to help you gain independence, respects family limits, and is on the official support list.
3. The Section 34 Evidence Rules
Direct Link (Section 34(1)(aa))
Reports from occupational therapists or doctors must show a direct link between the requested item and the disability for which the NDIS covers you.
Value for Money (Section 34(1A))
You must provide different quotes showing the support cost is fair compared to alternative options or leasing setups.
Evidence Hierarchy (Section 34(1E)–(1F))
Planners prioritise medical research studies first, followed by therapist clinical reports and progress logs showing real skill gains.
Informal Carer Limits (Section 34(1K))
Evidence must show when family carers are tired and unable to keep providing support.
4. Funding Buckets and Money Management
The 3 Funding Buckets
Your plan money is kept in 3 buckets: Core (daily help & support workers), Capacity Building (therapies & skill building), and Capital (wheelchairs & home changes).
Managing Your Money
You can manage your money yourself (Self-Managed), use a registered Plan Manager (Plan-Managed), let the NDIS pay providers directly (NDIA-Managed), or combine these choices.
| Management Type | Provider Flexibility | Administrative Burden |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Managed | Registered & Unregistered | High (Direct invoicing) |
| Plan-Managed | Registered & Unregistered | Low (Managed by Plan Manager) |
| NDIA-Managed | NDIS-Registered Only | Zero (Direct agency payment) |
| Combination | Mixed per budget bucket | Flexible control |
5. Regional Support Roles and How We Help
Dedicated 1:1 Support (Capped Caseload)
Founder Jenny Mathers caps her active Support Coordination caseload at 20 participants. You are never a number on a spreadsheet.
Supporting Regional Queensland
We support families across Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Miles, and Tara. We help you navigate plan reviews with zero pressure.
#SteadyGuide #NDISToowoomba #WesternDownsAdvocacy #NDISReform #ReasonableAndNecessary
Words that are hard to understand
Section 100: A rule in NDIS law that lets you ask for a review if you disagree with a decision.
Section 9B: Official legal rules used to measure your daily functional skills in a standard setting. These rules are used differently depending on whether you are applying for the NDIS or applying for more or different supports.
Section 34: The part of NDIS law that sets the 7 rules for reasonable and necessary supports.
PACE: The computer software system used by the NDIS to manage plans and payments.
Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA): A detailed report by an allied health professional showing how you manage daily tasks.
Deemed Refusal: An automatic “no” decision that happens when the NDIS takes longer than the time they said that they would review a decision.
Support Coordinator: A person who helps you find, organise, and use the supports in your NDIS plan.
Plan Manager: A financial worker who processes provider invoices and pays bills for your plan.
Psychosocial Recovery Coach: A specialist practitioner, who has mental health qualifications and lived experience, who helps people with mental health conditions build recovery plans.
Nominee: A trusted person legally appointed to assist or make decisions for an NDIS participant.
7. Full Reference Bibliography & Resource Directory
Below is the full reference bibliography supporting this NDIS Jargon & Reasonable and Necessary Supports guide:
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Our Guidelines: Reasonable and Necessary Supports.
Online Location: https://www.ndis.gov.au [External Link – Opens in new window] - Reimagine Today. Mental health recovery, psychosocial disability and the NDIS.
Online Location: https://www.reimaginetoday.com.au [External Link – Opens in new window] - National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Mental Health Access Snapshot Series: Snapshot 5 – NDIS and other services supporting your mental health.
Online Location: https://www.ndis.gov.au [External Link – Opens in new window] - National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Early Childhood Approach Operational Guideline.
Online Location: https://www.ndis.gov.au [External Link – Opens in new window] - National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). NDIS Supported Decision Making Policy Summary.
Online Location: https://www.ndis.gov.au [External Link – Opens in new window] - National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Specialist Disability Accommodation Guideline.
Online Location: https://www.ndis.gov.au [External Link – Opens in new window]
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