Unfortunately, Thorne Harbour can't help you apply for NDIS. A good place to start is to talk to your GP, as they will understand your individual circumstances. Your NDIS application will need written support from a GP. Find out more about applying for a plan.
Disability
NDIS Support for LGBTIQA+ People
We provide specialised LGBTIQA+ support services for people with disability.
Whatever your sexuality, sex characteristics, or gender, you will be treated with respect when seeking help at Thorne Harbour Health. All lesbian, gay, bi+, trans, gender diverse, intersex, and queer people with a disability are welcomed.
Contact Us
We Offer the Following LGBTIQA+ NDIS Disability Support Services:
- Community participation: We support you to take part in a range of community activities, including training, volunteering and social events. This support is now available from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
- Support coordination: We work with you to help you understand your NDIS plan and choose the best support services to help you achieve your goals.
- Help at home: We provide you with core support services to help in the home, including cooking, shopping and cleaning, and we help empower you to live independently.
- Psychosocial recovery coaching: We work alongside you to build skills for managing daily life, strengthening independence and supporting your mental health journey through consistent, person-centred support.
- NDIS-funded counselling: We provide affirming counselling support relating to your psychosocial disability, to improve your well-being, relationships and functional capacity.
Online support
Support coordination, psychosocial recovery coaching and counselling can be provided online using platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This means that no matter where you live in Australia, the Thorne Harbour NDIS team can support you and help you link to local workers and services.
Our LGBTIQA+ NDIS Support Focuses on
Our providers specialise in the following areas of support:
- Providing person-centred LGBTIQA+ NDIS services tailored to each participant’s identified needs and goals.
- Guaranteeing a culturally safe and stigma-free environment.
- Ensuring an accessible and flexible service for people of all abilities.
- Promoting client choice and control in all aspects of service delivery.
- Building the capacity of our clients.
- Meeting the needs of our communities: people living with HIV and people with disability in the LGBTIQA+ community.
Referrals
If you have an NDIS plan and are considering Thorne Harbour Health as your support provider, find our referral forms here in two versions: PDF & Word Doc. Contact us at ndis@thorneharbour.org with any questions.
If you do not have a plan yet, but believe you may benefit from NDIS support, click here to find out more about how to apply to the NDIS.
NDIS Provider Prices
The prices for the services we provide are in line with the NDIS Price Guide. To find out more information about our prices, please call us on (03) 9863 0430 or email ndis@thorneharbour.org.
More information
If you would like more information or wish to provide feedback, please call (03) 9863 0430 or email ndis@thorneharbour.org. You can also request a copy of our NDIS Participant Guide, which sets out our approach to providing NDIS services and how we help you to achieve your NDIS goals.
About the NDIS
The NDIS provides individualised, direct support for people with disability. It is available to all Australians aged under 65 who have a permanent and significant disability.
The NDIS website has a lot of information about how the NDIS came about and how it works. (https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/operational-guidelines/overview-ndis-operational-guideline/overview-ndis-operational-guideline-about-ndis).
Thorne Harbour Health recognises the critical importance of upholding the human rights principles of the NDIS, which are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Charlie's Story
Charlie’s road to recovery has been a journey of building capacity and learning new skills, but sometimes it’s just about getting through the day.
As a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Charlie has been able to draw on his network of services to support his decisions while on his road to recovery, one step at a time. The NDIS has given Charlie a choice in his recovery - a recovery model that suits him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you help me to get an NDIS plan?
How can I improve my chances of getting an NDIS plan?
Gather as much written evidence as possible to support your NDIS application. Try to collect assessments from multiple service providers. You need to clearly demonstrate not only that you have a disability, but how that disability impacts on your daily life.
How do I get started with Thorne Harbour’s NDIS support?
After we receive a referral from you, a staff member will contact you to discuss your needs. If you prefer, just phone (03) 9863 0430 and we will manage the referral process on the phone. You need to sign an NDIS service agreement before support starts.
How can I use community participation funding?
Community participation covers a wide range of activities that help to connect you with your community. This can include accessing training and work opportunities, volunteering and social activities. Thorne Harbour provides community participation support Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm.
What is the role of a support coordinator?
Navigating your first NDIS plan can be challenging. Thorne Harbour’s Health NDIS support coordinators help you to understand your plan and choose the best services to work with you to achieve your goals.
How often do I need to meet with my support coordinator?
The frequency of meetings with your support coordinator depends on your needs and your NDIS funding. But regular meetings are essential to ensure that your NDIS apport stays on track and works towards your goals. These meetings can be in person, online or by phone. A schedule for your preferred contact will be discussed at the first meeting with your support coordinator.
How can I get counselling support through NDIS?
The NDIS can fund therapeutic supports, including counselling, if you have a psychosocial disability that significantly impacts your daily functioning. To be eligible for NDIS counselling with Thorne Harbour, your NDIS plan must have sufficient capacity funding for counselling (usually found in the Improved Daily Living category) and your NDIS goals need to be relevant to counselling support.
Can you get NDIS for ADHD?
There’s a large portion of our LGBTIQ+ communities who are also neurodivergent, with conditions like ADHD. Unfortunately, ADHD isn’t covered under the NDIS, but if you’re receiving assistance for a different disability, it might help to speak to someone who understands your experience. Our NDIS support coordination services can help you understand your plan, find the best services to achieve your goals, and build confidence in your ability to use and coordinate support independently.
Does NDIS cover autism?
Studies have found that people with autism may be three times more likely to identify as LGBTIQ+ than neurotypical individuals. Fortunately, the NDIS does cover autism. However, please note that only people diagnosed with Level 2 or Level 3 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can receive funding. Our NDIS support services may be useful to people with autism, including support coordination, help at home, and community participation.
Does NDIS cover dental?
The NDIS does not cover dental services, which include examinations, treatments, and prescriptions. However, General Practitioners (GPs) can refer you to a dental specialist if they feel you need dental care. Thorne Harbour Health’s Centre Clinic has friendly GPs that provide general health care for LGBTIQ+ community members and can refer you to LGBTIQ+ friendly allied health services throughout Victoria, including dentists.
Does NDIS help with housing?
The NDIS does not provide funding for housing for most participants. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to find help with housing. Thorne Harbour Health’s Housing Plus services can help unhoused members of the LGBTIQ+ community secure housing through advocacy on your behalf, case management, moving assistance, and more.
Does a GP understand NDIS?
General Practitioners (GPs) play an important role in the NDIS. Part of your GP’s job is helping people understand the NDIS. If you’re looking for an LGBTIQ+ friendly GP who understands the NDIS, our Centre Clinic is a great place to start your search. All Centre Clinic doctors are registered General Practitioners, so you can count on them to understand your needs.
How to understand your first NDIS plan
We understand that navigating your first NDIS plan can be challenging. Thorne Harbour Health offers NDIS support coordination services to help you understand your NDIS plan and choose the best support services to help you achieve your goals. If you have an NDIS plan and would like Thorne Harbour Health to be your support provider, see above to find a referral form.
Is gender dysphoria a disability?
The NDIS does not currently consider gender dysphoria a disability. However, the NDIA is committed to providing trans and gender-diverse people with equal and equitable opportunities to benefit from the NDIS. If you have another disability and would like a support provider who understands gender dysphoria, Thorne Harbour Health’s LGBTIQ+ NDIS Disability Support Services can help.