If your NDIS application is declined, the NDIA will send you a rejection letter that includes the reason they have rejected your application.

Your letter will confirm the date they made the decision. 

Read the letter carefully and then decide what you want to do. 

Understand the Reasons for Rejection

The letter will outline the specific reasons why your application was declined. 

It will let you know which of the eligibility requirements you did not meet:

1. age
2. residency
3. disability requirements

NOTE: You need to meet all 3 to gain access.

Common reasons for declining NDIS access

1. Insufficient evidence: 
   • You may need to provide more information or documentation to support your claim.
   • The information/reports you provided may have been too old or did not supply enough information.
   • The information provided was not in the right format. It is important that your 'Evidence of Disability' refers to your 'reduced functional capacity' as a result of your impairment/s which may be one or more of:
     • intellectual,
     • cognitive,
     • neurological,
     • sensory,
     • physical or
     • psychosocial
        
   • TIP: Use this official form to guide the report writing: Evidence of Disability
      
2. Disability not considered permanent or significant: 
   • The NDIA may deem your disability not permanent or not impacting your daily activities. 
   • This may be because your evidence of disability was not detailed enougth or did not refer to the impairments as mentioned above.
      
3. Mainstream or community services are a better fit: 
   • The NDIA may determine that your needs can be better met through existing services. 

What are your options now?

1. Re-apply:
If you believe you have additional information or evidence to support your application, you can re-apply. 

NOTE: You cannot re-apply if you have already requested an internal review of the decision and it's in process.

TIP: Use this official form to guide the format of the evidence you provide: Evidence of Disability
 

2. Request an internal review:
You can ask the NDIA to review their decision. You must do this within 3 months of the date on your letter (date of the decision).

When this happens, another staff member, who wasn’t involved in the original decision, will then check if the NDIS have made the right decision.

You can request an internal reivew by:

• Completing an Online Form
• Emailing the NDIS (enquiries@ndis.gov.au) 
• Phoning the NDIS on 1800 800 110
• Visiting the nearest NDIS partner office

When can you not ask for an internal review?

You CANNOT ask for an internal review if:

• you withdraw your application because you don’t want to apply anymore

• a decision has not been made and they asked you for more information

• we withdraw your application because you didn’t give us information on time

• it’s been more than 3 months since you received our decision that you’re not eligible

Administrative Review Tribunal

If you disagree with the outcome of the NDIA's internal review, you can apply for a review by the Administrative Review Tribunal. 

This decision is final.