Applying for the NDIS:
NDIS Eligibility
If you’re new to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), we’re here to help you get started.
Our step-by-step guide will walk you through applying for NDIS funding and what to expect when you get the funding.
You may be feeling a bit overwhelmed or not sure where to begin, but this guide is here to support you.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To enter the NDIS, you need to be under 65 and meet either the disability requirements or early intervention requirements. You also need to be an Australian citizen, Permanent Visa holder or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
To meet the disability requirements you need to:
- Have a disability that is permanent
- Have a disability that is significant, meaning that it affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
- Be likely to require support from the NDIS for your lifetime
Another way to enter the NDIS is through the early intervention requirements, where you need to:
- Have a disability that is likely to be permanent
- Have future disability-related needs that can be reduced by early intervention (for example in the case of Parkinsons or Multiple Sclerosis)
Visit the Am I Eligible Checklist on the NDIS website for more information.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To enter the NDIS, you need to be under 65 and meet either the disability requirements or early intervention requirements. You also need to be an Australian citizen, Permanent Visa holder or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
To meet the disability requirements you need to:
- Have a disability that is permanent
- Have a disability that is significant, meaning that it affects your ability to take part in everyday activities
- Be likely to require support from the NDIS for your lifetime
Another way to enter the NDIS is through the early intervention requirements, where you need to:
- Have a disability that is likely to be permanent
- Have future disability-related needs that can be reduced by early intervention (for example in the case of Parkinsons or Multiple Sclerosis)
Visit the Am I Eligible Checklist on the NDIS website for more information.
You need to submit an application form to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which administers the NDIS. This form includes information about your disability and how it impacts your daily life.
The NDIA will review your access request and may ask for additional information or assessments from healthcare professionals to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the NDIS.
If you are deemed eligible for the NDIS, you will have a planning meeting with a planner from the NDIA. During this meeting, you will discuss your goals, needs, and the supports and services you require.
Based on the information gathered during the planning meeting, the NDIA will develop a personalized NDIS plan outlining the supports and services you will receive.
Once your plan is developed, it will be reviewed and approved by the NDIA.
What evidence is required to submit my application?
You may need to provide information on what your disability is, if it's permanent and how it impacts your life.
Evidence and recent documentation provided by your healthcare providers will be useful to get your application accepted. Include any documentation that confirms your disability, the impact it has on different areas of your life and describes any treatments and outcomes.
For more information, check the NDIS guide on providing evidence of your disability.
What evidence is required to submit my application?
You may need to provide information on what your disability is, if it's permanent and how it impacts your life.
Evidence and recent documentation provided by your healthcare providers will be useful to get your application accepted. Include any documentation that confirms your disability, the impact it has on different areas of your life and describes any treatments and outcomes.
For more information, check the NDIS guide on providing evidence of your disability.
How long does it take and what should I expect in the process?
The time it takes to get approved for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can vary depending on various factors, including your individual circumstances and the complexity of your disability support needs.
In general, the process involves several steps:
You need to submit an application form to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), which administers the NDIS. This form includes information about your disability and how it impacts your daily life.
The NDIA will review your access request and may ask for additional information or assessments from healthcare professionals to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the NDIS.
If you are deemed eligible for the NDIS, you will have a planning meeting with a planner from the NDIA. During this meeting, you will discuss your goals, needs, and the supports and services you require.
Based on the information gathered during the planning meeting, the NDIA will develop a personalized NDIS plan outlining the supports and services you will receive.
Once your plan is developed, it will be reviewed and approved by the NDIA.
Once submitted, what are the next steps?
How does it work?
