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For NDIS Participants & Families

“Do you want a job?” isn’t the only question. Running an art business is too.

A lot of people answer no to that question picturing retail or hospitality, and never find out that self-employment - including selling your own art - is also employment under an NDIS plan. If that’s where you landed, the wording can be revisited. Here’s what that actually looks like, and exactly what to say.

The misunderstanding

You said no to a job. That’s not the same as no.

“Employment” in a plan is broader than it sounds in a planning meeting.

When a planner or LAC asks about employment goals, it’s easy to hear it as “would you apply for a job at Coles, or in an office,” and answer honestly: no. But self-employment - running your own small business, including selling your own artwork - is also employment in NDIS terms, and it can be supported the same way.

If your plan currently only reflects traditional job-seeking, or doesn’t mention employment or economic participation at all, that’s a wording problem, not a final decision about what you’re entitled to. Plans can be reviewed and varied to reflect this properly.

What this can actually fund

Mentoring. And representation.

Two different kinds of support, often both in the same plan.

Mentoring (skill-building)

1:1 sessions and calls building the skills and confidence behind the work - pricing, presenting, posting, and making decisions about your own practice. This usually sits under Capacity Building, as Employment Assistance - charged at the NDIS price limit of $83.87/hr nationally for 2026-27 (higher in remote areas).

Representation (ongoing promotion)

A live website and shop under your own name, plus active outreach to galleries, press and buyers - including free promotion through Solène Haus, the art platform Leah founded, at no cost and no commission. Once this is regular, ongoing support, it usually sits under Core, as Supports in Employment - priced by time of day, from $73.58/hr on a weekday for 2026-27.

Figures from the NDIA's 2026-27 Pricing Schedule - your plan manager confirms the exact rate for your state and circumstances.

Your own website

Built, published, and yours - under your own name and domain.

A way to sell

A shop or commission pathway people can actually buy from.

Real promotion

Social accounts and free exposure through Solène Haus - not a page created and left empty.

No commission, ever

NDIS funding covers the support work - not a cut of anything you sell.

Decisions stay yours

What’s shown, how it’s priced, who it’s pitched to - always your call.

Everything you keep

Your website and accounts belong to you from day one, no ongoing fee.

The planner script

What to actually say

Said in your own words is fine - these are just a starting point for conversations that are often harder to start than to have.

At a planning meeting, when asked about employment goals
“I don’t want to apply for jobs like retail or hospitality, but I do want to build a small business selling my own art. Can my goal reflect self-employment rather than only traditional employment?”
Asking for the right kind of support
“I’d like funding under Supports in Employment to help me run and promote my art as self-employment, and Employment Assistance to build the skills - pricing, pitching, social media - behind it.”
Explaining why a facilitator isn’t the right fit
“I don’t want someone who just facilitates - I want to work with a practising artist who can mentor me and actively help get my work seen and sold, under my own name.”
Requesting a plan variation outside the annual review
“My circumstances and goals have changed since my plan was written. I’d like to request a plan variation to update my employment goal to include running my own art business.”
If the first answer is no
“What evidence or wording would need to change for this to be approved? Can I get that in writing so I know exactly what to bring to the review?”
Questions

Frequently asked

My planner asked if I want a job and I said no - have I ruled this out?

No. 'Employment' in an NDIS plan isn't limited to applying for a job at a shop or office - it also covers self-employment and running a small business, including selling your own art. Saying no to traditional employment doesn't rule out support for building an art practice as that alternative. If your plan only reflects the first kind, that's a wording issue, and it can be fixed.

Do I have to already be selling my art for this to count?

No. Some participants are only just starting to show their work outside their family. Others already sell occasionally and want it run properly. Both fit - the starting point is wherever you already are, and the plan goal can describe building towards it rather than already having it.

What if my planner or LAC says no?

Ask specifically what evidence or wording would change the answer, and ask for it in writing. A 'no' at a first conversation is often about how a goal was worded, not a final ruling - this is exactly what a plan review or variation request is for. A support coordinator or plan manager who already understands economic participation goals can also make this conversation faster.

Is this only something I can ask for at my annual plan review?

No. A participant can request a plan variation (sometimes called a plan reinstatement or a 'change of circumstances' review) at any point, not only at the scheduled review date, if their goals or circumstances have genuinely changed. Whether it's actioned straight away or rolled into the next review is up to the NDIA, but asking is always available.

What does 'representation' actually mean in practice?

It means the promotion and sales side of an art practice, not just a website to park work on: a live website and shop under your own name, social accounts that actually post, and active outreach - to galleries, press, local media and buyers, including free exposure through Solène Haus, the art platform Leah Justyce founded. It's built and done with you, not instead of you - every decision on what's shown, how it's priced, and who it's pitched to stays yours.

Is this plan-managed or self-managed only?

Both. Leah Justyce is an unregistered provider, which plan-managed and self-managed participants are both able to engage.

Want to talk it through before your next review?

Tell us a little about the artist and where their plan currently stands, and we’ll be in touch to talk through whether this fits - and what to bring to the conversation with your planner or LAC. See also the full breakdown for mentoring and representation and, if you’re a support coordinator, the funding guide for coordinators.