How to Apply for the NDIS

How to Apply for NDIS Funding

First, you need to determine whether you are eligible to apply for NDIS funding. 

See our 'Who is eligible for the NDIS' resource to see if you might be eligible.

Making your Access Request to the NDIS

If you are eligible for NDIS funding, you can make an 'Access Request' to the NDIS in the following ways:

1. Call the NDIS

You can make a verbal access request by calling the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and you can ask for the application form to be posted or emailed to you.

You will then need to complete an Access Request Form and return it to the NDIS.

If you need help filling in the form or making the call, you can contact your Local Area Coordinator, Early Childhood Early Intervention partner or your contact your local NDIA office.

2. Visit your nearest NDIS office

Collect a form from your local area coordinator, early childhood partner or NDIA office. See the NDIS website for your nearest location.

3. Apply Online

You can download the Access Request Form – note this is not compatible with Internet Explorer, and return it via:

• email: NAT@ndis.gov.au
• post to: GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, or 
• drop it into your nearest NDIS office

What do I need to include in my NDIS application?

As part of the Access Request process, you will be asked:

1. to confirm your identity and/or a person's authority to act on your behalf
2. questions to see if you meet the NDIS access requirements (age, residence and disability)
3. questions about providing consent to enter the NDIS and about seeking information from third parties.

If you currently receive disability supports, you can give your provider consent to give the NDIS your information.

You may be asked to provide some additional information after you submit your Access Request. This may include information about your disability and how it impacts on your day-to-day life.

You can provide copies of existing information, including letters or reports, or you can ask your treating health professional to fill out and sign a form.

Providing Information about your Disability

The NDIS needs evidence to help us consider if you meet the disability or early intervention requirements.

This includes information on:

1. what your disability is,
2. when it was diagnosed
3. how long it will last
4. available treatments (i.e. medications, therapies or surgeries)

Most importantly, evidence must be provided on how your disability impacts your life, specifically refering to these areas: 

• mobility/motor skills
• communication
• social interaction
• learning
• self-care
• self-management.

You may be asked to provide additional evidence if the information you provided initially is deemed insufficient in meeting the NDIS eligibility criteria.

What kind of evidence is needed when applying to the NDIS?

The NDIA requires information that is:

• recent (no more than 12 months old if relating to your functional capacity)
• completed by a treating health professional who is relevant to your primary disability*
• confirms your primary disability*
• confirms the impacts of your disability on the different areas of your life
• describes previous treatments and outcomes
• describes future treatment options and expected outcomes of those treatments

*Primary disability refers to the impairment that impacts most on your daily functioning.

You may be asked to provide additional information and evidence if your information provided in your initial application is deemed insufficient. 

Here is a template that may help in developing an impact statement from SaveourSons

Who can Provide Evidence of your Disability?

You can work with your treating health professionals to provide your evidence of disability.

Examples of common treating health professionals include:

• General Practitioner (GP)
• Paediatrician
• Orthopedic surgeon
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Pathologist (Therapist)
• Neurologist
• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Physiotherapist

The treating health professional who provides the evidence of your disability should:

• be the most appropriate person to provide evidence of your primary disability; and
• have treated you for a significant period of time (e.g. at least six months).

Use the information provided in the NDIS Types of Disability Evidence Fact Sheet to help you decide who the most appropriate treating health professional for your primary disability is.

Your treating health professional can provide evidence by:

• completing the NDIS Supporting Evidence Form
• completing the NDIS Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form 
• section 2 of the Access Request Form, or
• providing existing reports, assessments or letters that show the impact of your disability.

Children under the age of 9

If you are a parent, guardian or representative of a child younger than 9 and you have concerns about your child’s development or disability, you should first speak with your doctor, child health nurse, early childhood educator or other health professional.

Your child’s health or education professional can provide evidence of your child’s disability or developmental delay to support an NDIS access request.

Get Reports from Health Professionals

This is really important when you are gathering evidence for your NDIS application from your GP, Specialist or other allied health professionals.

The reports need to present your disability in a view the NDIS understands. Often, health professionals use technical language when discussing conditions.

When working in the NDIS, the terminology used by health professionals must reflect the access requirements of the NDIS. The NDIS is focussed on 'functional capacity' whereas a doctor typically focuses on the symptoms or diagnosis. 

Please find below some resources on how to write reports for the NDIS. It is important for your health professionals to follows these guidelines:

Writing for the NDIS: help for doctors, practitioners, participants and families

Writing Reports for NDIS Access and Plan Reviews

Sources and Links:

NDIS Booklet 1: Applying for the NDIS
Providing Evidence of your Disability
Access to the NDIS - Early Intervention Requirements
How to Apply for NDIS Funding
CARER Impact Template