The journey of applying for the NDIS can be a difficult and tumultuous time, especially for applicants who experience cognitive issues, are chronically exhausted or have other accessibility issues.

While it can be daunting, it’s important to remember that there are many different organisations, peak bodies and advocacy groups for your specific disability that can assist you in applying for the NDIS.

We’ve gathered a list of resources for some of the most common disabilities in Australia, as well as organisations that specifically assist people with their application to the NDIS.

General help with applying for the NDIS

It is not always necessary to reach out to disability-specific services when in need of support applying to the NDIS. Below is a service who can assist you access the NDIS if you are based in Victoria.

Yooralla

Yooralla is a disability support service based in Victoria. Yooralla provide services including Support Coordination, capacity building/therapy services, like accommodation, in-home support and community hubs for NDIS participants based in Victoria.

Additionally, Yooralla help prospective participants apply for the NDIS, providing free one-on-one NDIS consultations which aim to help you, or the person you care for, understand the NDIS at any step of your journey. Yooralla offer over the phone support with preparing your NDIS application, understanding your plan or implementing your next plan. 

Check out Yooralla's website for some fantastic resources, including their FREE Guide on How To Prepare For The NDIS.

Autism

Applying to the NDIS can be overwhelming and confusing. The following organisation can assist with the diagnosis process required to provide evidence to the NDIA for access to the NDIS.

Autism Spectrum Australia

Autism Spectrum Australia (also known as Aspect) is a not-for-profit organisation that can assist with providing an assessment to diagnose a child or adult with autism spectrum disorder. An assessment is completed with a Clinical Psychologist who will spend the morning with you to complete a variety of assessments. The afternoon is spent discussing your diagnosis with you and providing feedback. 4-6 weeks following your assessment, you will receive an individualised report which includes assessment results and interpretations. The report also outlines your personal strengths and support needs.

This report can be submitted to the NDIA as part of your application. This evidence will provide the NDIA with guidance on how you meet the eligibility criteria and allocating funding in your NDIS plan in approved.

Aspect can then provide a range of therapy services to you once you have your approved NDIS plan.

Psychosocial Disability

Psychosocial disabilities can often be complex and multi-faceted, making applying for help under the NDIS complicated. The following organisation offers support for those applying to the NDIS with psychosocial disabilities.

Reimagine Today

The Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) have developed Reimagine Today, a platform supporting people living with mental health conditions with the NDIS.

This platform offers a wide range of resources, including the Reimagine My Life - A Workbook to Support You With the NDIS. This fantastic book is design to support people living with mental health conditions through the NDIS. It can be used by workers, supports, family, carers and more.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can require specific and complex information to be included in your NDIS application. The following organisations and advocacy groups offer support for those applying to the NDIS with spinal cord injuries.

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a leading peak organisation for supporting those with a spinal cord injury. Providing a range of support to all disabilities living in NSW, SCIA offer an Advocacy Service to NSW residents who have not been successful in their first attempt accessing the NDIS. An advocate will assist with reviewing your documents and provide guidance on how to resubmit your application. Further support can be provided to you if you need support applying to the NDIS ATT if you are not happy with the outcome.

As the SCIA Advocacy Team offer region-based support, if they cannot assist you, you will be referred to a local advocate service near you. 

Spinal Life Australia

Spinal Life Australia is an organisation that is dedicated to helping those with a spinal cord injury live their best life. Spinal Life offer a Peer Support service, where a network of people within the spinal cord injury community assists by providing support and answering questions, informed by their lived experience with spinal cord injury. Reach out to the Spinal Life Peer Support team for guidance to navigate accessing the NDIS.

Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are often ambiguous, multi-faceted and complex, meaning applying for support through the NDIS can be a mission. See below for support for applying to the NDIS with an ABI.

Synapse

Synapse is an organisation dedicated to supporting those with an ABI. Providing a range of support services for those who have lived experience of brain injury and disability, Synapse can also help with navigating the NDIS journey. 

Parkinson’s Disease 

With a dedicated Parkinson’s organisation in every Australian state, Parkinson’s Peak Bodies are the primary peak organisation that supports those with Parkinson’s navigate a healthy and happy life. As registered NDIS providers, they provide a wide range of support and services to those with Parkinson’s, as well as assist those applying for the NDIS.

Below is the extended list of each state’s Parkinson’s Peak Body:

• Parkinson’s NSW
• Parkinson’s QLD
• Parkinson’s VIC
• Parkinson’s ACT
• Parkinson’s SA
• Parkinson’s WA

Multiple Sclerosis 

Prospective NDIS participants with Multiple Sclerosis can face a number of issues when applying for support. The following organisations and advocacy groups offer support for those applying to the NDIS with Multiple Sclerosis.

MS Australia

MS Australia is one of the most renowned MS advocacy groups and peak support bodies, with over 60 years of insight into living well with progressive neurological conditions. 

The MS Plus Engagement Service is designed specifically to support you with the following:

• understand the NDIS
• prepare for your first interaction with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
• know what to ask for in your plan so you get the right support funded for your needs
• understand what the NDIS terminology ‘reasonable and necessary supports’ means
• understand and complete the documents required by the NDIA
• appeal and reapply if you’re denied access to the NDIS

The MS Plus Engagement Service is FREE. You can access it via Telehealth if you live in the ACT, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria.

Check out the MS Australia Resource Hub, which includes a variety of podcasts, webinars and articles.