NDIS Application Process
Applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an important step towards accessing disability supports that can help with everyday activities, independence and participation in your community.
How to Apply for the NDIS?
The NDIS application process involves checking whether you meet the NDIS eligibility requirements, gathering evidence about your disability or impairment and providing the required information to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
If you are unsure where to begin, understanding the process before you apply can help you prepare the right information and avoid unnecessary delays.
Who Can Apply for the NDIS?
To become an NDIS participant, you need to meet specific eligibility requirements relating to your age, residency and disability or early intervention needs.
Generally, you may be eligible to apply if you:
- Are younger than 65 when you apply
- Live in Australia
- Are an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Meet the NDIS disability requirements, early intervention requirements, or both
Meeting the age and residency requirements alone does not automatically make someone eligible. The NDIA will also consider your impairment, its impact on your everyday life and the type of support you are likely to need.
How to Apply for the NDIS Step by Step?
Step 1: Check Your NDIS Eligibility
Before beginning your application, check whether you are likely to meet the NDIS access requirements.
If applying under the disability requirements, the NDIA considers whether you have a disability caused by a permanent impairment and whether that impairment significantly affects your ability to complete everyday activities.
The NDIA may consider how your impairment affects areas of your life such as mobility, communication, learning, self-care, self-management and social participation. It will also consider whether you are likely to require NDIS supports throughout your life.
Early intervention requirements are different. You may qualify where your impairment is likely to be permanent and receiving appropriate supports now is expected to improve your functional capacity, prevent it from deteriorating or reduce your future need for support.
Step 2: Connect with an NDIS Partner
For many people, the first step in applying is to speak with an NDIS partner in their area.
People aged 9 to 64 can generally receive assistance from an NDIS partner to understand eligibility and apply. For children younger than 9, families can connect with an early childhood partner.
An NDIS partner can help you understand the application process, identify the evidence you may need and connect you with community and mainstream services.
You do not necessarily need to complete an Access Request Form yourself before speaking with an NDIS partner.
Step 3: Gather Evidence About Your Disability
Supporting evidence is an important part of an NDIS application. The NDIA needs enough information to understand your impairment, whether it is likely to be permanent and how it affects your everyday life.
Depending on your circumstances, useful evidence may include:
- Reports from treating health professionals
- Specialist assessments
- Allied health assessments
- Information about your diagnosis and impairment
- Evidence explaining how your impairment affects everyday activities
- Information about treatments you have received
- Details of assistive technology, equipment or modifications you require
- Relevant written statements or other supporting documents
Your evidence should focus not only on the name of your condition or diagnosis, but also on its functional impact.
A health professional providing evidence should be appropriately qualified and have sufficient knowledge of your disability and how it affects you.
Step 4: Complete Your NDIS Application
An Access Request Form can be used to gather the information the NDIA needs to assess your eligibility.
The form asks for information about you, your disability and your circumstances. Your treating health professional may also need to provide information supporting your application.
Depending on your circumstances, an NDIS partner can assist you with applying, so you may not need to complete the form independently.
Make sure the information you provide is accurate and that relevant supporting evidence is included. Missing or insufficient information may mean the NDIA needs to contact you for further evidence before making a decision.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Once your application and supporting documents are ready, they need to be submitted to the NDIA.
A completed Access Request Form can currently be submitted through the NDIS service hub, sent by post or delivered in person to an NDIS partner or NDIS office.
If you submit an application directly to the NDIA, the NDIS may also connect you with an NDIS partner in your area.
Keep copies of the documents and supporting evidence you submit for your own records.
What Happens After You Apply for the NDIS?
Once the NDIA has received a complete application and all required supporting evidence, it assesses whether you meet the NDIS access requirements.
The NDIS advises that it will generally tell you whether you are eligible within 21 days after receiving your application and all supporting evidence.
The NDIA may contact you if it requires further information before it can make an access decision.
If your application is approved, you become an NDIS participant and can move to the next stage of the process.
If you are found not to be eligible, you will receive a letter explaining the decision. You may be able to request a review if you disagree with the outcome.
Applying for the NDIS for a Child
The process is slightly different for younger children.
The NDIS early childhood approach supports children younger than 9 and their families. An early childhood partner can help families understand their child’s needs, access appropriate supports and, where required, apply to the NDIS.
Children younger than 6 with developmental delay may be eligible under the early intervention requirements and do not necessarily need a formal disability diagnosis to access the NDIS.
Speaking with an early childhood partner can therefore be an important starting point if you have concerns about your child’s development.
What Evidence Can Strengthen an NDIS Application?
Good supporting evidence clearly explains how an impairment affects the person’s functional capacity rather than simply confirming a diagnosis.
Where relevant, evidence should help demonstrate:
- What impairment or impairments you have
- Whether the impairment is likely to be permanent
- How the impairment affects everyday activities
- How it affects your ability to participate socially, work or study
- What disability-related supports you currently require
- Why you are likely to require NDIS support over the longer term
The evidence required will depend on your individual circumstances, disability and application pathway.
What If My NDIS Application Is Unsuccessful?
An unsuccessful application does not necessarily mean there are no further options.
Your decision letter should explain why the NDIA determined that you did not meet the access requirements. If you disagree with the decision, you can ask the NDIA to review it.
You can also apply for the NDIS again in the future if your circumstances change or you obtain additional evidence that may demonstrate you meet the eligibility requirements.
An NDIS partner may also be able to connect you with other community and mainstream supports if you are not eligible for the NDIS.
What Happens Once You Are Approved for the NDIS?
Being accepted into the NDIS is the beginning of the next stage of your journey.
You will move through the process of developing your NDIS plan, including discussing your circumstances, disability-related support needs and goals.
Your approved plan will set out the NDIS supports and funding available to you. Depending on how your funding is managed, you may then need to organise providers, monitor budgets, manage invoices and keep track of spending.
Choosing How Your NDIS Funding Is Managed
There are different ways NDIS funding can be managed, including agency management, self-management and plan management.
With plan management, a registered plan manager handles the financial administration associated with your plan. This can include processing provider invoices, making payments, tracking your budget and providing financial reporting.
Optimum Plan Management supports NDIS participants across Australia with straightforward and transparent plan management. Once your NDIS plan includes plan management, our team can help you manage the financial side of your funding while you remain focused on choosing the supports that work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for the NDIS
Yes. However, the NDIS recommends connecting with an NDIS partner as a usual first step. They can help you understand the requirements, gather appropriate evidence and complete the application process.
A diagnosis alone does not determine NDIS eligibility. The NDIA considers your impairment, whether it meets the relevant requirements and the impact it has on your functional capacity. Different requirements can apply to children with developmental delay.
You must be younger than 65 on the day you apply to become an NDIS participant. People who are already NDIS participants when they turn 65 may have different options.
The NDIS states that it will generally notify you of its eligibility decision within 21 days once your completed application and all supporting evidence have been received. Additional information requests can affect the overall timeframe.
Yes, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements. Australian citizens, permanent residents and Protected Special Category Visa holders who live in Australia may meet the NDIS residency requirements.
Provide the requested evidence as soon as possible. The NDIA may need additional information about your impairment, functional capacity or circumstances before it can determine whether you meet the access requirements.
Yes. There is no limit on the number of times you can apply. You may choose to apply again if your circumstances change or you obtain further information or evidence that supports your eligibility.
Ready for Plan Management After Your NDIS Application?
Once your NDIS application has been approved and plan management is included in your plan, Optimum Plan Management can help make managing your funding easier.
From processing invoices and paying providers to monitoring budgets and providing clear reporting, we take care of the financial administration while giving you visibility over your funding.
Whether you are receiving your first NDIS plan or looking for a new plan manager, our team supports participants across Australia with responsive, reliable and participant-focused NDIS plan management.
