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Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia
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Individual Support Packages

Information on this page

Changes from July 2008

HomeFirst, Support and Choice and Community Options/Futures for Young Adults Years 1-8 are all Disability Services package-based supports (packages) that operate under different guidelines.

From July 2008 these different packages have been combined to create Individual Support Packages, with a single set of guidelines.

Information about the project conducting this work is available from Strengthening Individualised Planning and Support.

What is an Individual Support Package

Individual Support Packages are Disability Services funds that are allocated to a person to meet their disability related support needs. The funds may be used to buy a range of disability-related supports chosen by the person to assist them to achieve their goals.  Disability Services funding may complement existing informal support arrangements from family and friends and/or generally available community services.

People can receive help from a facilitator to bring together the important people in their life, such as family, friends or advocates, to think about and document the supports that are needed and how they should be provided.

What sort of things can Individual Support Packages be used for

Individual Support Packages may assist people with a disability to continue living in the community by providing a range of supports to:

  • Maintain independence
  • Keep living in their own home
  • Move to more independent living arrangements
  • Learn new skills
  • Participate in the local community.

Why Individual Support Packages were created

Individual Support Packages were created so that people with disabilities can:

  • Direct the planning process to the greatest extent possible and make their own choices about how they wish to live their life
  • Plan in a way that respects the needs of family members and carers and their role in the person's life
  • Be assisted to identify goals and the way these can be achieved
  • Explore supports that are flexible and wide-ranging
  • Be included and fully participate in community life.

Who can get assistance

You may get assistance if you meet the criteria as determined under the Disability Act 2006.

The Act is available from Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents (External link).

How to get assistance

Contact your regional Disability Intake and Response Service to find out more information about this program and how to apply.

Individual Support Package information sheet

You can download the Individual Support Package information sheet:

Individual Support Package Guidelines

These guidelines have been developed to streamline processes and guide practice for staff who are working with people with a disability and their families or carers.

You can also download an  Individual Support Package Funding Proposal (Word 211.0 kb) proforma is the document that must be completed and sent to a regional delegate for approval of departmental Individual Support Package funding.

Provide your feedback about these guidelines

These guidelines will be reviewed in three months and six months to ensure that they are meeting the needs of people with a disability, and their families or carers and staff.

If you would like to provide feedback on these guidelines you can:

  1. Use the online Feedback Form for the Individual Support Package Guidelines,
  2. Print and complete a Word version of the  Feedback Form for the Individual Support Package Guidelines (Word 43.0 kb) by hand.

Individual Support Package frequently asked questions

If you have further questions about individual support packages, you may find the answers on our frequently asked questions webpage.

Related information

Search for community support services using the Disability Online Service Directory (External link) - information for people with a disability, their families and carers.

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