Are you eligible for the NDIS?

The basic criteria

To be eligible for the NDIS you generally need to meet age, residency and disability requirements.

• Age: under 65 when you apply (children under 9 may go through the Early Childhood Approach).
• Residency: Australian citizen, permanent visa holder, or Protected Special Category visa holder, and you live in Australia.
• Disability: a permanent and significant disability that substantially reduces your ability to do everyday activities, or a developmental delay (for children).

The exact wording sits in the NDIS Act and is interpreted by the NDIA. If you're not sure whether you'd qualify, you can call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 or talk to a Local Area Coordinator.

The Access Request

If you think you're eligible, you submit an Access Request to the NDIA. You can:

• Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110, or
• Complete an Access Request Form (available from the NDIA), or
• Get help from a Local Area Coordinator or an early childhood partner.

The NDIA will ask for evidence of your disability — usually a report from a treating health professional (GP, specialist, psychologist, paediatrician) that describes the condition, when it started, how it affects your daily life, and what supports you currently use.

What good evidence looks like

The NDIA looks for evidence that's:

• Recent — usually within the last 12 months.
• From the right professional for the condition (e.g. a psychiatrist for a mental-health condition, an OT for functional impacts).
• Specific — what the diagnosis is, how it affects daily life, why supports are needed.
• Forward-looking — confirming the disability is permanent (or likely permanent).

If you're approved

You'll be invited to a planning meeting where you'll talk through your goals, your day, and the supports you need. From there you'll receive a plan. See What is the NDIS? for what happens next.

If you're not approved

Don't take a no as the final word. Common reasons for being knocked back are gaps in the evidence — not always that the person doesn't qualify. Your options:

• Internal review: you can ask the NDIA to review the decision within three months of receiving it. Add any new evidence at this stage.
• AAT review: if the internal review still goes against you, you can apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for an external review.

Free help is available — disability advocacy organisations, your LAC, and community legal centres can guide you.

Getting help with your application

You don't have to do this alone. Local Area Coordinators, disability advocates and community organisations help people prepare Access Requests every day. Their support is free.