Primary funding pathways and resources
There are a range of State and Commonwealth funded payments, subsidies and supports which may be available for people living with spinal cord injury, depending on their individual circumstances and eligibility.
The list below is in alphabetical order.
Companion Card
The Companion Card can help eligible people with some costs associated with getting out in the community and attending certain venues with the support of another person (a companion).
Continence Aids Payment Scheme
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) provides eligible people with a yearly payment towards continence products.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) can provide varying types and levels of supports for eligible people who hold a current DVA card. There are different criteria and benefits associated with each DVA card.
Disability Parking Permit
The Disability Parking Permit scheme is available for eligible people with mobility or vision impairment. Holders of a permit can park vehicles in parking bays showing the international symbol of access.
Essential Medical Equipment Payment
The Essential Medical Equipment Payment provides eligible people a yearly payment to help with the energy costs associated with running essential medical equipment, or heating or cooling used for medical devices.
Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme
The Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme (MASS) provides subsidy funding for medical aids and equipment for eligible people with permanent and stable conditions or disabilities.
Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme
The Medical Cooling and Heating Concession Scheme is a payment to help with electricity costs for eligible people with chronic medical conditions (for example, autonomic dysfunction) that is impacted by changes in temperature.
Mobility Allowance
The Mobility Allowance is a payment to help with travel costs for work, study, or looking for work for eligible people with a disability, illness or injury that prevents them from using public transport without help.
My Aged Care
My Aged Care (MAC) is the Commonwealth Aged Care program providing varying levels of support to people aged 65 years and over, or 50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, depending on their circumstances.
Some people with spinal cord injury may be able to continue living in their private residence with community-based aged care supports. This may include transitional care supports on discharge from hospital.
For other people with spinal cord injury, their support needs may exceed what can be provided in a home environment, and they may need to consider transitioning to residential aged care.
Eligibility for the varying MAC supports and services is determined through a government assessment process.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a Commonwealth disability scheme that provides reasonable and necessary supports to eligible people under the age of 65 years who live with a disability resulting in significant and permanent impairment.
National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland
The National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ) is a no-fault scheme that funds necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support for people who have sustained an eligible serious personal injury in an eligible motor vehicle accident in Queensland.
If a person sustained a serious personal injury in a motor vehicle accident somewhere else in Australia, they may be eligible for an interstate lifetime care scheme, including:
- New South Wales – icare
- Victoria – Transport Accident Commission
- Australian Capital Territory – Lifetime Care and Support Scheme
- Tasmania – Motor Accidents Insurance Board
- Northern Territory – TIO
- South Australia – Lifetime Support Scheme
- Western Australia – Insurance Commission of Western Australia
Non-Residents of Australia
People who are non-residents of Australia are often unable to access the same funding pathways and resources as Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. For more information and advice, contact the QSCIS team.
Taxi Subsidy Scheme
The Taxi Subsidy Scheme can subsidise taxi travel at a half-rate for eligible people.
WorkCover Queensland
WorkCover Queensland can provide varying support types for eligible people who have sustained work-related injuries or illnesses.
If a person sustained a work-related injury or illness somewhere else in Australia, they may be eligible for an interstate workers’ compensation scheme.
Younger People in Residential Aged Care
The Younger People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) is a temporary program designed to reduce the number young people, aged under 65 years, entering and living in residential aged care. Regionally based teams of Systems Coordinators work to assist young people to access appropriate services and supports, particularly when they have complex needs or may not be eligible or suitable for other funding (for example, the NDIS).
Youngcare Grants
Youngcare Grants can provide grant funding to eligible people between the ages of 16 to 65 years who require essential items, modifications or services and have exhausted all other funding options.