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 pension age
- Australian citizen or qualifying resident
- Satisfy income and assets tests
Medical Requirements
- Permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition
- Impairment rating of at least 20 points, or
- Meets "clear rules" (e.g. permanent blindness, IQ below 70)
- Continuing inability to work 15+ hours per week
DSP rates and thresholds are set by Services Australia and are updated periodically. Check the Services Australia website for current payment amounts and income/asset 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 does not count NDIS funding as income, so receiving NDIS will generally not reduce your DSP payment. However, there are some indirect situations to be aware of:
- !Using NDIS funds for non-disability purposes (e.g. general entertainment or social activities) may be considered income by Centrelink
- !Purchasing assets with NDIS funds could affect your Centrelink assets test
- !Duplicating services already covered by Medicare or public housing may impact access to both
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.
How Help Alliance Can Help
NDIS Access Support
Not yet on the NDIS? We can help you understand whether you qualify, what evidence you need, and how to submit your access request — even if you are already receiving DSP.
Support Coordination
Already on the NDIS? Our support coordinators help you make sense of your plan, connect with the right services, and get the most value from your NDIS funding.
Plan Management
We can manage your NDIS funding on your behalf — handling provider payments and keeping your budget on track so you can focus on your goals.
Personalised Disability Support
From daily living assistance to community participation, our team provides hands-on support tailored to your disability and goals — across Perth's northern suburbs.
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. However, if you use NDIS funds for non-disability purposes or purchase assets with them, this could indirectly affect your Centrelink means test. Always speak with a financial adviser or DSP case manager if you are unsure.
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 aged 16 to pension age, meet residency requirements, satisfy an assets and income test, and have a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents you from working. Medical eligibility is assessed using an impairment points table, or through clear rules for conditions such as permanent blindness, nursing home level care, or intellectual disability with an IQ below 70.
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 receiving NDIS supports can generally continue their plan, but cannot increase their funding. People over 65 who need disability-related support typically access the aged care system (Home Care Packages or residential aged care) rather than the NDIS.
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 over 65 (or over 50 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who need aged care support. Both programs can fund in-home support, but with different rules, providers, and funding structures. The age boundary is important — 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.