What is NDIS Eligibility?
NDIS eligibility refers to the formal assessment process used by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to determine whether someone qualifies for funded disability supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Meeting the NDIS eligibility criteria is your gateway to accessing a personalised NDIS plan—a funding package tailored specifically to your needs, goals, and circumstances. This plan can cover various supports including personal care, therapy services, equipment, home modifications, and community participation.
The NDIA aims to make access decisions within 21 days of receiving a complete application with all supporting documents.
NDIS Eligibility Criteria
The NDIA assesses five core eligibility criteria when determining your access to the NDIS:
1. Age Requirements
You must be aged between 9 and 65 years at the time of application. Children under 9 may access early childhood supports through a separate pathway called Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI). If you're already an NDIS participant, you can continue receiving supports after turning 65.
2. Residency Requirements
You must live in Australia and be one of the following:
- Australian citizen
- Permanent resident
- Protected Special Category Visa holder
3. Permanent Impairment Requirements
Your disability must be permanent or likely to be permanent—meaning it's expected to last for your lifetime with no known cure. This includes physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, and psychosocial disabilities.
4. Functional Capacity Requirements
Your impairment must substantially reduce your functional capacity in one or more of the following areas:
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-care
- Self-management
5. Early Intervention Requirements
Even if your functional capacity isn't yet substantially reduced, you may qualify through the early intervention pathway if early support could reduce your future needs or help family members and carers build capacity to support you effectively.
How to Check Your NDIS Eligibility
Before submitting a formal application, you can do a preliminary eligibility check through several options:
Local Area Coordinator
Contact a LAC in your area for personalised guidance
NDIS Website
Use the official eligibility checklist at ndis.gov.au
The Well Team Tool
Our guided eligibility checker helps you understand your situation
Evidence and Documents Needed
To support your NDIS application, you'll need to provide various documents that demonstrate your eligibility:
| Document Type | Who Provides It | What It Demonstrates |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Documents | You (passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate) | Age and residency status |
| Medical Reports | Doctors, specialists, psychologists | Diagnosis, permanence, and likely duration |
| Residency Proof | Government documents (visa, Medicare card) | Australian residency status |
| Functional Capacity Reports | OTs, physios, speech pathologists | How disability affects daily life |
Pro Tip: Functional capacity reports are crucial. They should describe what you cannot do without support, not just list your diagnosis. Focus on how your disability impacts your daily activities.
How to Submit an NDIS Access Request
The formal NDIS application process involves three main steps:
Contact the NDIS or a Local Area Coordinator
You can reach out through several channels: call the NDIS national contact centre on 1800 800 110, visit or phone a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) in your area, or ask an existing NDIS provider for assistance. LACs are trained professionals who help people access the NDIS and navigate the system.
Complete the Access Request Form
The Access Request Form (ARF) requires your personal details, information about your disability, and details of your treating professionals. You can obtain this form from the NDIS website, through your LAC, or by requesting it over the phone.
Submit Your Application with Supporting Documents
Submit your completed form along with all supporting evidence. You can do this online through the NDIS website, by post, or through your LAC. Submitting all evidence together helps avoid delays in the assessment process.
Timeline and What to Expect
The standard timeframe for the NDIA to make an access decision after receiving your complete application.
What Happens During Assessment
- NDIA staff assess your evidence against the eligibility criteria
- They may contact your treating professionals for clarification
- Additional information may be requested if evidence is insufficient
Tracking Your Application
You can track your application status through:
- Logging into the myNDIS participant portal
- Calling the NDIS contact centre on 1800 800 110
- Contacting your Local Area Coordinator
What If You're Not Eligible?
If your application is unsuccessful, you'll receive a written decision with detailed reasons. Don't give up—you have several options:
Internal Review
Request a review of the decision within 3 months. Many initially rejected applications are approved on review with additional evidence.
External Appeals
If the internal review is unsuccessful, you can appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
Alternative Supports
State and territory disability services, community organisations, and mainstream services (health, education) may provide support outside the NDIS.
What Happens After NDIS Approval
Congratulations! Once approved, here's what comes next:
Receive Your Access Decision Letter
You'll receive official confirmation of your eligibility and information about the next steps in developing your plan.
Attend Your NDIS Planning Meeting
Work with a planner to identify your goals, discuss your current supports, and determine what funding you need. Prepare by thinking about what you want to achieve and what support would help you.
Implement Your NDIS Plan
Choose your providers, decide how you want your plan managed (agency-managed, plan-managed, or self-managed), and start accessing your funded supports.
Tips for a Successful NDIS Application
Be specific about how your disability affects your daily life
Gather evidence from multiple treating professionals
Focus on function, not just diagnosis
Submit everything together to avoid delays
Keep copies of all documents submitted
Ask for help if you need it—that's what we're here for
Is NDIS Free to Access?
One of the most important things to understand about the NDIS is that access is completely free. You'll never be charged a fee to apply for the scheme or to have your eligibility assessed.
NDIS Access is Completely Free
There are no application fees or charges to apply for the NDIS. The process of submitting your Access Request Form and undergoing the eligibility assessment costs you nothing. Be cautious of any service claiming to charge you for NDIS access—this is a common scam.
NDIS-Funded Supports Are Covered
Once you're approved for the NDIS, the supports included in your plan are funded at official NDIS rates. You don't pay out of pocket for these approved services—the NDIS pays your approved provider directly.
Support Coordination Rates
Support Coordination is available to help you find, understand, and manage your supports. The standard NDIS rates for Support Coordination are:
- $70.23/hour for standard Support Coordination
- $75.98/hour for specialist Support Coordination
These rates are set by the NDIS and help ensure participants receive quality coordinated support.
No Fees for the Application Process
The NDIA covers the cost of assessing your application. You may choose to pay for specialist reports (such as psychological assessments) if they're not covered by Medicare, but this is optional. Many healthcare providers offer bulk-billing for NDIS-related assessments, so ask your treating professionals about this.
Source: NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2025-26 on ndis.gov.au