You’re exhausted. You’ve been caring for your child with a disability 24/7, and you’re running on empty. Everyone keeps saying “look after yourself” but no one explains HOW—or where the help actually comes from.
If your child has an NDIS plan, there IS support available. Here’s what you need to know.
First: You Matter Too
The NDIS is technically for your child, not you. But here’s the thing: if you burn out, who looks after your child?
Sustainable care requires sustainable carers. That means support for YOU is ultimately support for your child. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help.
What NDIS Funding Can Help With
Respite Care
The word “respite” isn’t used much in NDIS language, but the support exists under different names:
- Short Term Accommodation (STA) – Overnight stays away from home (camps, respite houses)
- Community Access – Support workers taking your child to activities, giving you a break
- Personal Care support – Help in the home so you’re not doing everything yourself
To get this funding, you need to demonstrate that you provide more support than a typical parent would for a child of the same age—and that respite is necessary to maintain your capacity to care.
Support Workers
A support worker can help with:
- Personal care for your child
- Taking your child to appointments or activities
- Helping with routines (mornings, evenings)
- Supervising your child so you can work, rest, or look after other family members
Need help finding good providers? A support coordinator can help.
Behaviour Support
If your child has challenging behaviours, the NDIS can fund:
- Assessment by a behaviour support practitioner
- Behaviour support plans
- Training for you and other carers
- Ongoing support to implement strategies
This isn’t just for your child—it helps you understand what’s happening and respond more effectively, reducing everyone’s stress. For autism-specific support, see our NDIS Autism Support Guide.
Therapies
Occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology—these help your child build skills, which ultimately reduces the support they need from you.
Support Outside the NDIS
The NDIS isn’t the only source of help:
Carer Gateway
Call 1800 422 737. They offer:
- Free counselling for carers
- Peer support groups
- Emergency respite funding
- Financial support packages
- Skills courses
This is SEPARATE from NDIS funding—you can access both.
Medicare Mental Health Plan
See your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can get 10 subsidised psychology or counselling sessions per year. This is for YOU, to help you cope with the stress of caring.
Carers Australia
Resources, information, and advocacy for carers. Find your state branch at carersaustralia.com.au
Getting Respite in the NDIS Plan
To request respite-type funding at a plan review, you need evidence:
- Document how much support you provide beyond typical parenting
- Keep a diary of challenging days
- Get a letter from your GP about your own health needs as a carer
- Ask therapists to comment on family wellbeing and carer sustainability
- Show what happens when you DON’T get breaks (hospitalisations, burnout, family breakdown)
When Your Child Turns 18
The NDIS changes when your child becomes an adult. Your role as parent shifts, and new arrangements may be needed. Read our guide: NDIS at 18: What Changes
A Support Coordinator Makes This Easier
If your child’s plan includes support coordination, their coordinator can:
- Help you find respite options
- Connect you with carer support services
- Prepare evidence for plan reviews
- Advocate for appropriate funding
- Find providers that work for YOUR family, not just generic recommendations
If there’s no support coordination in the plan, consider asking for it at the next review.
You’re Not Alone
Parenting a child with a disability is hard. Navigating the NDIS on top of that is even harder. The system is complex, the jargon is impenetrable, and most of the information online is written for bureaucrats.
At Plan Pathfinders, we help families navigate this maze. We understand what parents are going through—and we speak plain English.
