What is NDIS
There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.
The NDIS can provide all people with disability with information and connections to services in their communities such as doctors, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
National: The NDIS is being introduced progressively across all states and territories.
Disability: The NDIS provides support to eligible people with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial disability. Early intervention supports can also be provided for eligible people with disability or children with developmental delay.
Insurance: The NDIS gives all Australians peace of mind if they, their child or loved one is born with or acquires a permanent and significant disability, they will get the support they need.
Scheme: The NDIS is not a welfare system. The NDIS is designed to help people get the support they need so their skills and independence improve over time.
NDIS key words
Permanent and significant disability: A permanent disability means your disability is likely to be lifelong. A significant disability has a substantial impact on your ability to complete everyday activities.
Supports and services: Assistance or products that help a person in their daily life and help them participate in the community and reach their goals.
Early intervention: Providing support to a person, either a child or an adult, as early as possible to reduce the impacts of disability or developmental delay and to build their skills and independence.
The NDIS works with suitably experienced and qualified partner organisations to deliver Local Area Coordination (LAC) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) services to Australians with disability. They are the face of the NDIS in the community.
If you are between the ages of seven and 64 years of age, call the Local Area Coordinator partner in your local government area. The LAC will be your main contact point for the NDIS.
If you are under seven years of age with a developmental delay or disability, call the Early Childhood partner in your local government area.
The ECEI Coordinator will be your main contact point for the NDIS and will help you understand and access the most appropriate supports for your child.
Can You Access the NDIS?
If you are aged under 65 years and have a permanent and significant disability, you might be eligible for NDIS services. The NDIS provides support for people with disability to achieve their goals, be active in their communities, and also to be part of the workforce. To become an NDIS participant you must satisfy each of the following conditions. Assessment is conducted by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Disability requirement
You must have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities, such as, showering, cleaning your house dressing, or travelling around your community
Age requirement
You must be aged less than 65 years when you register for the NDIS
Residency requirement
You must be an Australian citizen, or have a Protected Special Category Visa or hold a permanent visa
Disability Requirement
The NDIA will ask you questions to see if you meet ALL of the following conditions:
You have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent
Your impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions unless you have:
- assistance from other people, or
- assistive technology or equipment (other than common items such as glasses), or
- you can’t participate effectively even with assistance or aids and equipment
Your impairment affects your capacity for social and economic participation
You are likely to require support under the NDIS for your lifetime
NDIA may ask you to provide information about your disability, development delay, or early intervention requirements. This may include providing copies of existing letters, assessments or reports from health or educational professionals that detail your impairment and its impact on your daily life.
You must be aged under 65 years at the time you register for an assessment with NDIA. As long as your register before your 65th birthday, and satisfy the other eligibility requirements, you will be able to choose if you use NDIS services or aged care services.
If you visit the am I eligible page, you will find an NDIS checklist you can read to see if you are eligible.
If you meet the criteria and you would like to become a participant, you can either:
Call us on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request
Complete and submit the Access Request Form and send by email to NAT@ndis.gov.au or contact your local LAC or NDIA office. call us on 1800 800 110 and ask to make an Access Request.
Making an Access Request
You can call 1800 800 110 to make an Access Request or you can complete and submit the Access Request form via email.
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.
Visit the contact us page to find an office near you.
Access Request questions
As part of the Access Request process, you will be asked:
to confirm your identity and/or a person’s authority to act on your behalf
questions to see if you meet the NDIS access requirements (age, residence and disability)
questions about providing consent to enter the NDIS and about seeking information from third parties.
If you currently get disability supports, and you would like your provider to give us your information, you must first provide consent.
You may be asked to provide some additional information after you make 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
If you make your Access Request over the phone, you can email or post copies of your existing information, including letter or reports, to one of the following:
- NAT@ndis.gov.au
- GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, or drop it in to your nearest NDIS office.
You can also complete and submit the Supporting Evidence form via email to NAT@ndis.gov.au.
If you need help with English, call our TIS service on 131 450.
If you have hearing or speech loss, call our TTY service on 1800 555 677. For Speak and Listen, call 1800 555 727, or for Internet relay services, visit the Relay Service webpage
For information about what evidence to include in your Access Request, it may be helpful to visit the following pages:
Providing evidence of your disability.
Providing evidence of disability for children.
To ensure you receive the right support it is important to find out if you’re eligible for the NDIS by completing your registration and assessment.
If you are not eligible for NDIS, aged under 65 years, and have a disability or other condition that restricts your ability to carry out everyday activities, you may be eligible for disability & health services through Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS).
Queensland Community Support Scheme
How do I apply to access QCSS?
It’s easy. To apply, contact the QCSS Access Point on 1800 600 300 or email QCSSaccesspoint@ozcare.org.au. You don’t need a referral.
If you are over the age of 65 (or over 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders), you may be eligible for aged home care services through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).