Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions from September 2026

Welcome to this month’s insights from the MND NSW Info Line! We have rounded up the top 5 questions we’ve been asked lately from people living with MND, families, carers, and health professionals. From voice banking to transport options, this is the place to find helpful information and practical tips.

Question 1: I have been diagnosed with MND, will I lose my driver licence?

All drivers are required by law to tell their local licensing authority of any medical condition that might affect their ability to drive safely. Just because you tell your local licensing authority about your MND diagnosis, does not mean you will lose your driver licence immediately. However, a formal driving assessment may be required. Based on the results of these assessments the licensing authority will decide if the person can continue to drive.

You can speak to your occupational therapist, neurologist, or GP about your ability to drive.

Learn more:

Question 2: How do I link with an MND clinic and do I need a referral?

MND clinics are specialist clinics that offer multidisciplinary care for people with MND. This means that health professionals from a range of disciplines work with each other to manage your MND symptoms.

Your neurologist, MND Advisor, or state association can help you to link with an MND clinic if there is one in your area. In order to attend a clinic, you will need a referral from your neurologist or general practitioner.

Some clinics require you to live within the relevant local health district.

Learn more:

MND clinics

Question 3: What is the difference between voice banking and message banking?

MND can affect the muscles that are involved in speaking, including vocal cords, lips, and tongue. Up to 80% of people living with MND will experience difficulties with speech.

Voice banking uses computer software to create a digital voice that sounds like you based on your own recordings. You can then use the digital voice to speak through text-to-speech generation.

Message banking involves recording meaningful phrases in your real voice which can be played back on a device later. Importantly, these messages are fixed and cannot be changed later.

It is important to consider banking early as this gives you more options and better results. You may be able to do both voice and message banking at the same time. Speak to your speech pathologist to discuss your options.

People living with MND can access Eleven Labs Voice Banking through MND NSW’s FlexEquip Program. A referral from a speech pathologist is required.

Learn more:

Question 4: Getting out and about is getting harder, what are my transport options?

As MND progresses, the way you access the community may change. However, there are some options to help you get to the places you need to:

Community transport providers can take you to medical appointments, the shops, and social visits
State governments provide Taxi Transport Subsidy Schemes which partially fund taxis for eligible people
Some states can provide cheaper tickets on public transport or subsidies for transport to medical appointments from isolated areas
There may be funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme or My Aged Care for transport related support.

Learn more:

Question 5: I am a health professional and just started working with people living with MND, where can I find education?

We regularly support health professionals with education, training, and resources to suit different health professional with an interest in MND. If you are new to working with people with MND, there are many options for you to build confidence in delivering person-centred, high-quality support.

MND Upskill is an in-person workshop delivered by MND NSW that takes an in-depth look at MND and symptom management
MND 101 is an online course that is available on the MND Hub. It is a comprehensive introduction to Motor Neurone Disease
MND in-service is available to any organisation who is supporting a person with MND and is accessing MND NSW’s Advisor Program. This session can provide information about MND, symptoms, and management strategies. It can be delivered in-person or online by an Advisor
MND Special Interest Group for Health and Community Care Professionals is a newsletter for MND news, updates from FlexEquip, and information about education events
Motor Neurone Disease Aspects of Care: for home and community care teams
Motor Neurone Disease Aspects of Care: for staff of residential care facilities