The Short Answer
NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides individualised funding for specific disability supports and services — things like personal care, therapy, equipment, and community participation. It is not a cash payment. It is managed by the NDIA and is not means tested.
DSP
The Disability Support Pension is a fortnightly cash payment from Centrelink to help cover everyday living costs — rent, food, bills — if you cannot work due to a permanent disability. It is means tested, and income and assets affect your payment rate.
You can receive both at the same time — they are entirely separate programs and one does not cancel out the other.
NDIS vs DSP: Key Differences
A side-by-side comparison of the two programs across the questions most people ask.
What Does the NDIS Fund?
The NDIS provides funding for reasonable and necessary supports that are directly related to a person's disability. This can include:
- ✓Personal care and daily living assistance
- ✓Community participation and social activities
- ✓Transport to appointments and activities
- ✓Therapeutic supports (occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiotherapy)
- ✓Assistive technology and equipment
- ✓Home modifications
- ✓Support coordination and plan management
- ✓Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Importantly, the NDIS does not cover everyday living costs like rent, groceries, or utility bills — that is where the DSP comes in.
What Does the DSP Cover?
The Disability Support Pension is a fortnightly income payment administered by Centrelink (Services Australia). It is designed to help with the cost of living for people who are unable to work due to a permanent disability. There are no restrictions on how you spend DSP payments — it is direct income support.
DSP Eligibility at a Glance
Non-Medical Requirements
- Aged 16 to Age Pension age (you can claim from 15 years and 9 months)
- Australian resident, usually for 10 years in total including 5 in a row
- Satisfy income and assets tests
Medical Requirements
- Permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition
- At least 20 impairment points (plus a Program of Support if they come from more than one table), or
- Meets the manifest medical rules (e.g. permanent blindness, IQ below 70)
- Continuing inability to work 15+ hours per week
DSP rates are adjusted on 20 March and 20 September. From 20 September 2026 the most a single person aged 21 or over can get is $1,237.70 a fortnight, or $933.00 each for a couple. See all DSP rates and the income and assets limits.
Can You Receive Both NDIS and DSP?
Yes. The NDIS and DSP are entirely separate programs and are designed to complement each other. Many Australians receive both simultaneously — the DSP covers living costs while the NDIS funds disability-specific supports.
Centrelink doesn't count NDIS payments as income, so receiving NDIS funding generally won't reduce your DSP payment. One related payment does change: Mobility Allowance isn't paid if you have funded NDIS support.
If you are receiving both or planning to, speak with a financial adviser, NDIS planner, or DSP case manager before making changes that could affect either payment.
Navigating the NDIS is easier with the right support provider by your side.
Where to Get Help
Applying for the NDIS
Your GP, a Local Area Coordinator or the NDIA (1800 800 110) can explain whether you qualify, what evidence you need and how to submit an access request, even if you already receive the DSP.
Claiming the DSP
DSP claims go through Services Australia (Centrelink), usually online through myGov, with medical evidence from your treating health professionals.
Using Your NDIS Plan
If your plan funds support coordination, a support coordinator can help you make sense of it, connect with the right services and get the most from your funding.
Finding Providers
Help Alliance is a free matching service. Tell us what support you need and we send your request to local providers. Those who can start contact you, and you choose who to go with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NDIS and DSP?
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and DSP (Disability Support Pension) are two separate Australian government programs that serve different purposes. The DSP is a fortnightly cash payment from Centrelink to help cover living costs if you cannot work due to a permanent disability. The NDIS provides individualised funding for specific disability supports and services — not cash. You can receive both at the same time if you meet the separate eligibility criteria for each.
Can you receive both NDIS and DSP at the same time?
Yes. The NDIS and DSP are entirely separate programs and receiving one does not automatically affect the other. Centrelink does not count NDIS funding as income, so it will not reduce your DSP payments. One related payment does change: Mobility Allowance isn't paid if you have funded NDIS support.
What does the DSP cover that the NDIS does not?
The DSP is a welfare income payment to help cover everyday living costs such as rent, food, and bills — things the NDIS does not fund. The NDIS funds specific disability-related supports and services such as personal care, therapy, equipment, home modifications, and community participation. The DSP is means tested; the NDIS is not.
Who is eligible for the Disability Support Pension?
To be eligible for the DSP in Australia you must be at least 15 years and 9 months old and under Age Pension age when you claim (it is paid from 16), meet the residence rules, satisfy an income and assets test, and have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that will stop you working at least 15 hours a week in the next 2 years. Medical eligibility is assessed under the manifest medical rules for conditions such as permanent blindness, nursing home level care or an intellectual disability with an IQ below 70. Everyone else is assessed under the general medical rules: at least 20 points on the Impairment Tables, plus a Program of Support if the points come from more than one table.
Who is eligible for the NDIS?
To access the NDIS you must be under 65, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have a permanent disability that substantially reduces your ability to participate in daily activities. Unlike the DSP, the NDIS is not means tested — your income and assets do not affect eligibility or the funding you receive.
Is the NDIS means tested like the DSP?
No. The NDIS is not means tested. Your income, savings, or assets have no effect on your NDIS eligibility or the funding you receive in your plan. The DSP is means tested — Centrelink assesses both your income and assets to determine your payment rate.
Does being on the NDIS affect your Centrelink payments?
Generally, NDIS funding is not counted as income by Centrelink and does not directly reduce your DSP, JobSeeker, or other Centrelink payments. However, if NDIS funds are used to purchase assets, those assets may be counted in Centrelink's assets test. NDIS funds used for non-disability purposes (outside your approved plan) could also attract scrutiny. If you are unsure, speak with a financial adviser or Services Australia.
Can you get the NDIS if you are over 65?
No. The NDIS is only available to people under 65 at the time of their first access. People who turn 65 while already on the NDIS can choose to stay on it. People who first need support at 65 or older usually go through the aged care system instead: Support at Home (which replaced Home Care Packages on 1 November 2025) or residential aged care.
What is the difference between NDIS and My Aged Care?
The NDIS serves people under 65 with a permanent disability; My Aged Care serves people aged 65 or older (or 50 or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness) who need aged care support. Both programs can fund in-home support, but with different rules, providers and funding. The age boundary matters: if you turn 65 and are not already on the NDIS, you will generally be referred to the aged care system instead.
How does the NDIS define 'disability' compared to the DSP?
The NDIS defines disability as a permanent impairment that substantially reduces your ability to participate in activities of daily life — it is functional rather than diagnostic. The DSP defines disability as a permanent condition preventing you from working at least 15 hours per week, assessed using an impairment points system. A person can meet one definition but not the other: for example, someone who can work part-time may not qualify for the DSP but could qualify for NDIS if they need daily living support.
Which program should I apply for first — NDIS or DSP?
Apply for both independently if you think you may be eligible for each. They are not linked and one does not depend on the other. You can begin the NDIS access request process at the same time as a DSP claim through Centrelink. Waiting for one outcome before applying for the other may delay your access to support unnecessarily.
Do NDIS participants have to pay back funding?
No. NDIS funding is not a loan. It does not need to be repaid. However, funds must only be spent on approved supports that are reasonable and necessary. If the NDIA finds that funds were spent outside the plan's intent, they may reduce future plan funding or request repayment. Unspent funds at the end of a plan period are returned to the NDIS — they do not carry over automatically.
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