We will work with you to decide if you can take part in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

This page explains how to apply to the NDIS.

Who can apply to the NDIS

There are laws about who can take part in the NDIS.

When you can take part in the NDIS, we say you are eligible.

To take part in the NDIS, you need to be younger than 65 years old when you apply.

You need to live in Australia.

You need to be an Australian citizen.

A citizen is someone who has the rights of a certain country. 

This is because they:

  • were born there

or

  • passed a test to become a citizen.

Or you need to be a permanent resident.

If you are a permanent resident of a country, you are allowed to live there but you are not a citizen.

To take part in the NDIS, you need to have a disability that is permanent.

This means it:

  • will not go away
  • affects the way you live your life.

This includes how you:

  • take part in the community
  • work and study.

Sometimes you can take part in the NDIS when you need early intervention.

Early intervention is when people get services and support:

  • as early as possible in their lives
  • when they first get a disability.

Getting support early might mean you need less support in the future.

You can find out more on our page about early intervention.

If you want to apply

You can contact us if you:

  • want to apply to the NDIS
  • have questions about disability supports.

We can connect you with an NDIS partner.

NDIS partners are people who help others find and use services.

Your NDIS partner could be a local area coordinator.

A local area coordinator is someone who helps people with disability find and use supports.

If the person who needs support is under 9 years old, your NDIS partner will be an early childhood partner.

An early childhood partner is someone who supports children with disability and their families.

When you first meet with your NDIS partner, they will ask you for documents that prove who you are.

When you prove who you are, you share your identity.

These identity documents:

  • show who you are
  • have your personal information on them.

You can find out more on our page about checking your identity.

Your NDIS partner will also need to check the identity documents of anyone who can make decisions for you.

For example:

  • a child representative – an adult who makes decisions about the NDIS for a child
  • a nominee – someone you choose to make decisions or do things for you.

Support to apply to the NDIS

Your NDIS partner can help you apply to the NDIS.

They will talk with you about:

  • why you need NDIS support
  • whether you are eligible to take part in the NDIS.

Your NDIS partner will also talk to you about:

  • what will happen when you apply
  • what to expect, including when you will find out if you can take part in the NDIS.

Your NDIS partner will also explain the information you will need to provide.

This includes evidence.

Evidence is proof that something is true.

The NDIS asks for the same information from everyone who applies.

Your NDIS partner can help you collect the evidence and information you need.

We will need proof that you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

You will have a document that says you are one of these – like a passport.

You will need identity documents that include information like your:

  • name
  • address
  • date of birth
  • photo.

We also need information about:

  • your disability 
  • how your disability affects your life
  • what supports you have now.

You can find out more on our page about types of disability evidence.

When you have all your information, your NDIS partner will help you apply on our computer system.

For more information you can watch our video on making connections and applying to the NDIS.

After you apply to the NDIS

After you apply to the NDIS, we will decide if you are eligible.

We will let you know our decision within 21 days.

If you are eligible, we will use the information you gave us to create your NDIS plan.

Your NDIS plan is a document that has information about:

  • you and your goals 
  • the supports you need
  • the funding the NDIS will give you.

Funding is the money from your plan that pays for the supports you need.

While we create your plan, your NDIS partner can help you find and use:

  • community supports
  • mainstream supports.

Mainstream supports are from other parts of the government.

For example, health and education services.

Everyone can use mainstream supports.