How to apply for the NDIS
Reviewed by the My Care Link Australia Editorial Team · Last reviewed
Applying for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, especially with all the forms and acronyms. This plain-English guide breaks the application into four clear steps: checking if you qualify, gathering the right reports, submitting your access request, and what happens once the NDIA makes a decision.
Step 1: Check if you are eligible
To access the NDIS, you need to meet three basic requirements set by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA):
- Age: you must be under 65 on the day you apply. If you are 65 or older, support is arranged through My Aged Care instead.
- Residency: you must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent visa holder, or a Protected Special Category Visa holder.
- Disability: you have a permanent condition that substantially affects your ability to do everyday things on your own.
Important for parents: if your child is under 6 with developmental delay, or under 9 with disability, they are supported through the early childhood approach. You do not need to fill out a standard access form first — you can contact a local early childhood partner directly.
Key tip: the NDIA looks at how your condition affects your daily life, not just your diagnosis. Two people with the same diagnosis may have very different support needs.
Step 2: What documents and evidence you need
The biggest reason applications are delayed is missing or vague evidence. You need two main types of documents.
Proof of identity
You generally need three documents confirming who you are, such as an Australian birth certificate or passport, a driver licence or proof of age card, and a Medicare card.
Evidence about your disability
This comes from the doctors and health professionals who treat you. Strong evidence clearly explains:
- What your main condition or disability is
- Why it is likely to be lifelong (permanent)
- How it affects your ability to communicate, move around, socialise, care for yourself or manage daily tasks
- What treatments have been tried, and whether more treatment is likely to reduce your support needs
Reports that carry the most weight
- Functional capacity assessments — usually completed by an occupational therapist, these show what a typical day looks like and where you need help
- Specialist or clinical letters — from your psychiatrist, neurologist, paediatrician or psychologist
- Your GP's summary — a GP can give a medical overview and complete Section 2 of the form, but specialist reports add clinical depth
Practical tip: recent reports (from the last 12 to 24 months) carry much more weight. If yours are older, ask your GP or allied health team for a short letter describing how you are managing day to day now.
Step 3: How to make an access request
You can apply in three different ways:
- Over the phone: call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. Staff can confirm your details and start your access request with you.
- Through an NDIS partner: a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) in your region can walk through the questions with you and help submit your paperwork.
- Using the Access Request Form: download it from ndis.gov.au. Section 1 is completed and signed by you (or your nominee or guardian). Section 2 is completed by your treating doctor, specialist or allied health professional.
Keep a copy or scan of everything you submit, and note the date you sent it. Interpreting help is available through TIS National on 131 450.
Step 4: What happens after you apply
- Within 21 days: once the NDIA has a complete application with all supporting reports, it aims to make a decision within 21 days. If it needs more information it will contact you, and the clock pauses until that information arrives.
- If you are approved: you will be invited to a planning meeting with an NDIS planner or LAC to discuss your goals and the supports — such as support workers, support coordination or therapy — that will go into your first plan.
- If you are not approved: you will receive a letter explaining why. You have 3 months from the date of that letter to ask for an internal review. Often a more detailed functional report from an occupational therapist or specialist is enough to meet the criteria on review.
Requirements and forms can change, so confirm the current process on ndis.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 110.
How My Care Link Australia helps
We are an independent, free Australian matching service.
We do not write your NDIS access request or give legal advice. Once your plan is approved, our concierge team helps you find local providers with genuine, current availability — including support coordinators, allied health professionals, home care workers and plan managers.
About this guide. Written and reviewed by the My Care Link Australia team as general information for NDIS and aged care participants, families and support coordinators. Read our editorial guidelines and provider review process.
This guide is general educational information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your individual situation, please speak with the appropriate qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the NDIS take to approve an application?
The NDIA aims to decide within 21 days of receiving a complete application. If reports are missing or incomplete, it can take longer while they ask for extra details.
Can my GP fill out the entire disability section?
A GP can complete the form, but for complex conditions the NDIA often asks for letters or assessments from specialists, psychologists or occupational therapists to confirm permanency and daily impact.
Does an NDIS application cost anything?
The application itself is free. However, your doctors or specialists may charge their usual fees to prepare reports.
What is the difference between diagnosis and functional capacity?
A diagnosis is the name of your condition, such as autism, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Functional capacity describes how that condition affects your ability to shower, cook, walk, communicate or work without help.
What can I do if my access request is rejected?
You have three months to ask the NDIA for an internal review. You can also get free help from a disability advocate through the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP).
Related services
NDIS Support Coordination
Help understanding and making the most of your NDIS plan.
NDIS Plan Management
We manage invoices and budgets so you can focus on the support.
NDIS Occupational Therapy
OTs help build skills for daily living, work, study and play.
NDIS Support Workers
Trained support workers for daily living, social activities and personal care.
Related conditions
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Sources and further reading
Rules, funding amounts and wait times change. We check these primary sources when we update this page, and you should confirm current details directly with them.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Official scheme information, eligibility and current processes.
- How to apply for the NDIS(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Current access request steps and forms.
- Understanding your NDIS plan budget(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. How plan management and budget categories work.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission(opens in a new tab) — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider registration, practice standards and complaints.
- Services Australia — Disability Support Pension(opens in a new tab) — Services Australia. Income support eligibility and claim process.