The NDIS has launched First Nations Connect — a phone service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families, representatives, health workers and community organisations. The NDIS says the service was shaped through community engagement and its staff receive specialised training.
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and you have ever felt talked-over or rushed when dealing with the NDIS, this service was built with you in mind. As an Aboriginal-owned, culturally-safe NDIS provider, we welcome it — and we have put together a plain-English guide to what it does, what it does not, and where a provider like us fits in.
What is First Nations Connect?
First Nations Connect is delivered through the NDIA’s National Contact Centre. Its purpose is to provide a more culturally respectful, tailored contact experience.
Call 1800 411 640 to use the service. The current number and audience are listed on the official NDIS contact page.
What the service can help with
- Clear information about the NDIS, explained in a respectful way.
- Answering your questions on the first call wherever possible.
- Helping you feel safe, comfortable and respected when you contact the NDIS.
It sits alongside the NDIA’s commitment to Closing the Gap and its work to make the participant experience safer and more trustworthy for First Nations people.
What it does not do
Being clear about this saves you time and disappointment:
- Calling the line does not itself approve a plan, funding change or claim.
- The NDIS does not describe it as a faster decision pathway.
- The regular participant, provider, webchat and online-enquiry channels remain available.
Think of it as another way to contact the NDIS, designed for a more culturally respectful experience. Formal decisions still follow the relevant NDIA process.
Important: it is not a provider line
The NDIS lists a separate provider contact number, 1300 311 675. First Nations Connect (1800 411 640) is listed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families, representatives, health workers and community organisations. Check the current contact page before calling on behalf of someone else.
Where Tegrity fits in
First Nations Connect is a great place to ask questions. When it comes to actually delivering your supports — a support worker who gets it, or a support coordinator who can wrangle the system for you — that is where we come in.
Tegrity Services is Aboriginal-owned and has delivered NDIS support across our listed Sydney service areas since 2021 (NDIS registered provider 4050099017, registered until October 2028). Our cultural-safety commitments are explained in our Aboriginal NDIS support hub. We can help with:
- Culturally-safe support work — day-to-day support from workers who respect your culture, community and Country.
- Aboriginal support coordination — someone in your corner to connect your plan to the right supports and deal with the NDIS on your behalf.
You can read more about our Aboriginal & culturally-safe NDIS support, or if you are still deciding, our guide on how to find an Aboriginal NDIS provider in Sydney walks through what to check.
First Nations Connect is run by the NDIA, not by Tegrity. We are sharing it because it is a genuinely good step for Mob — a service that listens. If you would like a yarn about your own supports, we are always here: no pressure, just a conversation about what you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the First Nations Connect phone number?
First Nations Connect is 1800 411 640. It is a phone service run by the NDIA’s National Contact Centre for First Nations peoples and their families, carers, representatives, health workers and community organisations. Its staff are culturally trained to listen and respond respectfully, and to try to answer questions on the first call.
Is First Nations Connect a provider line?
The NDIS lists 1300 311 675 as its provider number. First Nations Connect is listed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families, representatives, health workers and community organisations. Use the official contact page to choose the right line for the enquiry.
Can First Nations Connect change my plan, funding or claims?
The phone service can help you contact the NDIS, but a call does not itself approve a plan, funding change or claim. Formal decisions still follow the relevant NDIA process, and the NDIS does not describe the line as a faster decision pathway.
Do I have to use an Aboriginal provider to call?
No. Anyone who is First Nations — or who supports someone who is — can call. If you would like an Aboriginal-owned, culturally-safe provider for your day-to-day supports or support coordination, that is what Tegrity offers, but it is always your choice.
Related guides
Looking for culturally-safe NDIS support in NSW?
We are Aboriginal-owned and we have been doing this since 2021. Call us or make a referral — we confirm receipt and explain the next step.