NDIS evidence of disability should explain your impairment, how it affects everyday life and the support you need. It should also describe relevant treatment, its outcomes and whether your impairment is likely to be permanent.
You can use reports, assessments, letters or NDIS evidence forms. The right evidence depends on your circumstances and whether you are applying under the disability or early intervention requirements.
Last updated: .
What should NDIS supporting evidence include?
The NDIA's supporting-evidence guidance recommends recent information from a treating health professional who understands your disability.
Ask your professional to explain:
- Your disability and the resulting impairment or impairments.
- How long the impairment has been present and whether it is likely to be permanent, where relevant to your access pathway.
- How it affects daily activities and participation.
- The assistance, supervision, prompting or equipment you need.
- Previous treatments, their results and relevant future treatment options.
Reports should be specific to you. A diagnosis can be important, but it does not necessarily explain the day-to-day impact of your disability or establish that you meet every NDIS requirement.
Who can provide evidence of disability for the NDIS?
Your GP, specialist or allied health professional may provide evidence. The most suitable person depends on the impairment and the information needed.
For example, a neurologist may explain a neurological impairment, while an occupational therapist may assess its effect on everyday tasks. Sometimes evidence from more than one professional is useful.
Use qualified professionals registered with the appropriate professional authority. Someone who has treated you over time will usually have a fuller understanding of your needs. The NDIA says it is helpful if they have worked with you for at least six months.
You, your carers and your providers can also describe daily-life impacts. This adds detail to the clinical evidence rather than replacing it.
Which NDIS evidence forms should I use?
Your treating professional can provide existing reports or letters, or complete the relevant form. You do not need every form listed below.
- Supporting Evidence Form (PDF) for information about impairment and functional impact.
- Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form (PDF), also available as a Word document.
- Access Request Form and instructions, including a section for your treating health professional.
Follow the instructions about who can complete each section. There are separate supporting-evidence arrangements for children under 6 applying because of developmental delay.
The NDIA says you do not have to complete an Access Request Form to apply. An NDIS partner can help you understand the application process and gather the right evidence.
How do I explain the functional impact of my disability?
Functional impact means how your impairment affects what you can do. Evidence may describe difficulties with:
- Communication: understanding others or expressing your needs.
- Social interaction: forming relationships and taking part in social situations.
- Learning: understanding information and developing skills.
- Mobility: moving around at home or in the community.
- Self-care: showering, dressing, eating or using the toilet.
- Self-management: organising daily tasks, making decisions and managing money, where age-appropriate.
Use practical examples. Instead of only saying you need help with self-care, explain whether you need physical assistance, step-by-step prompting or supervision to shower safely.
If your condition fluctuates, describe the pattern over time, including more difficult periods. Explain what happens when support is unavailable.
Do I need a functional capacity assessment to apply for the NDIS?
The NDIA's general guidance says a formal functional capacity assessment is not required for every applicant. It can help demonstrate how a permanent impairment affects daily life.
Some disability-specific guidance calls for particular functional assessments. Check whether your existing evidence is sufficient before arranging another report, especially for psychosocial disability.
Read our guide to NDIS functional capacity assessments to understand what an assessment can cover.
What disability-specific evidence does the NDIS recommend?
The NDIA publishes best-practice evidence examples for different disabilities. These help clinicians choose suitable evidence. They are not a checklist of tests every applicant must complete, and no assessment result guarantees approval.
NDIS evidence for acquired brain injury
Your brain injury treating team can describe your ongoing impairments and support needs. Recommended tools include the Care and Needs Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) and age-appropriate assessments for children.
NDIS evidence for autism
Evidence may come from a paediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist or allied health team. The NDIA lists diagnostic evidence using DSM-5 criteria and assessments such as Vineland-III, WHODAS or PEDI-CAT to describe adaptive skills and functional impact.
NDIS evidence for cerebral palsy
Your treating team can explain mobility, hand function and communication needs. The NDIA lists the Gross Motor Function Classification System, Manual Ability Classification System and Communication Function Classification System as relevant evidence tools.
NDIS evidence for hearing impairment
An audiologist can provide hearing assessments and explain their practical impact. The NDIA lists hearing acuity information and age-appropriate functional evidence, including its adult hearing impairment guide or PEDI-CAT for children.
NDIS evidence for intellectual disability, developmental delay or Down syndrome
A paediatrician, psychologist or allied health team can describe cognitive, adaptive and everyday support needs. The NDIA lists evidence such as Vineland-III, WHODAS and PEDI-CAT, depending on age and circumstances. Developmental delay has a separate access pathway for children under 6.
NDIS evidence for multiple sclerosis
Your neurologist or a suitably trained nurse can describe your impairment and how it changes over time. The NDIA lists Disease Steps, Patient-Determined Disease Steps and the Expanded Disability Status Scale as evidence examples.
NDIS evidence for psychosocial disability
A treating clinician should describe your mental health condition, impairment, treatment history and daily-life limitations. A specific diagnosis is helpful if available, but it does not automatically establish NDIS eligibility.
The psychosocial evidence form includes functional information and a Life Skills Profile assessment. Other tools may include HoNOS or WHODAS. NDIA guidance differs on whether a separate functional capacity assessment is always needed, so confirm the requirements for your application before commissioning a standalone report.
NDIS evidence for spinal cord injury
Your treating team can provide information about the injury level and resulting limitations. The NDIA lists the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale, alongside age-appropriate functional assessments such as WHODAS or PEDI-CAT.
NDIS evidence for stroke
A neurologist can explain the lasting effects of your stroke. The NDIA lists the Modified Rankin Scale as an evidence example. Reports should also describe how your impairments affect everyday activities.
NDIS evidence for vision impairment
An ophthalmologist can provide visual acuity information and explain your impairment. The NDIA lists the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire for adults and age-appropriate functional assessment for children.
NDIS evidence for other disabilities
If your disability is not listed, speak to the treating professional best placed to explain it. The NDIA also lists general functional tools such as WHODAS for adults and PEDI-CAT for children. Not being on this list does not mean you cannot qualify.
What evidence is needed for a child with developmental delay?
An early childhood partner can help families of children under 9 gather evidence and connect with support. However, the current NDIS developmental-delay access pathway applies specifically to children under 6.
Evidence needs to explain how the delay affects your child compared with children of the same age and why they need specialist services from more than one professional over an extended period. Ask your early childhood partner which evidence and forms apply to your child's situation.
Will NDIS evidence requirements change from 2028?
The Government has announced a new standardised functional capacity assessment process for NDIS access from January 2028. The detailed tools and thresholds are still being developed.
If you are applying now, follow the current evidence guidance. Do not delay an application while waiting for the future process.
How can I prepare my NDIS evidence?
Gather your existing reports first and check whether they explain your impairment, treatment and functional impact. Ask your treating professional or NDIS partner what information is missing before paying for new assessments.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Disability evidence is only one part of an application: the NDIA also needs to check other requirements, including age and residency.
Need help finding an NDIS therapist?
MyCareSpace's free matching service can help you find an occupational therapist, psychologist or another suitable allied health provider and check their availability. Ask the provider whether they can prepare the type of report you need.
Find a therapist with MyCareSpace.
This resource provides general information. Only the NDIA can decide NDIS eligibility. Check the linked official guidance and confirm the evidence needed for your own application.
