How to apply for the NDIS

How to apply for the NDIS step by step

Four things to work through, in order. Each one is explained in full further down this page.

1. Check who can apply. The NDIS supports Australians under 65 with a permanent and significant disability who meet the residence requirements, and children are supported through the early childhood approach. See "Who can apply for the NDIS" below for the age, residence and disability requirements in plain English.
2. Gather your supporting documents. You generally need three identity documents, plus evidence from the professionals who treat you describing how your disability affects everyday activities. Recent reports carry more weight than older ones. See "Documents that help your application" for the full list.
3. Complete an access request. You can apply by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110, through an NDIS partner, or by completing the Access Request Form — Section 1 is yours, Section 2 is completed by a treating professional. See "The Access Request Form" for what each section covers.
4. Understand what happens next. Once your request is complete the NDIA aims to decide within 21 days, then invites you to a planning conversation if you are found eligible, or offers an internal review within three months if you are not. See "What happens after you apply".

Requirements can change, so confirm the current process on ndis.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 110.

The full application process in order

Here is the whole application process in order, so you can see where you are up to before reading the detail below.

1. Check the access requirements — your age, your residency status and how your disability affects your everyday life.
2. Contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or your local NDIS partner (a Local Area Coordinator, or an early childhood partner for children under 9). A partner can explain the process and help you start.
3. Gather your evidence — identity documents plus reports from the health professionals who treat you that describe your disability and its impact.
4. Complete an access request. You can apply over the phone, through your NDIS partner, or by completing the Access Request Form — Section 1 is yours, Section 2 is completed by your treating professional.
5. Submit the form and your evidence to the NDIA using the contact details on the form, or hand it to your NDIS partner.
6. Wait for the access decision. The NDIA aims to decide within 21 days of receiving a complete request, and may contact you for more information.
7. If you are found eligible, you meet with your NDIS partner or planner to discuss your goals and build your first plan.
8. If you are not found eligible, you can request an internal review within three months, usually with stronger evidence.

Requirements and forms can change, so confirm the current process on ndis.gov.au or by calling 1800 800 110 before you apply.

Who can apply for the NDIS

The NDIS supports Australians under 65 who live with a permanent and significant disability. Your application needs to be complete and received before your 65th birthday, so it is worth starting early if that date is close.

You also need to meet the residence requirements. That generally means being an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or the holder of a Protected Special Category Visa, and living in Australia.

The disability requirements look at impact rather than diagnosis. The NDIA considers whether your disability is likely to be permanent, how much it affects your ability to do everyday activities such as moving around, communicating, self-care or social participation, and whether you are likely to need support for life.

Children are supported through the early childhood approach — for children younger than 6 with developmental delay, and children younger than 9 with disability. Families can contact an early childhood partner directly rather than starting with a form.

If you are over 65, you will usually access support through My Aged Care instead. We can help with either pathway.

Eligibility is always decided by the NDIA on the evidence you provide — no one else can guarantee an outcome.

Documents that help your application

Two kinds of information matter: proof of who you are, and evidence about your disability. The NDIA generally asks to see three different identity documents showing details such as your name, date of birth and address.

The evidence that carries the most weight comes from the professionals who treat you and describes function, not just diagnosis. Useful documents include:

• Reports from your GP, specialist or allied health team that describe your disability and how it affects daily life
• Past assessments (occupational therapist, psychologist, speech pathologist)
• Hospital discharge summaries or specialist letters
• Functional capacity information — which daily tasks need support, and how much support
• Details of treatments you have already tried and their results

Recent evidence is generally more useful than older reports. If a report is several years old, ask whether your treating professional can provide an update before you apply.

The Access Request Form

You do not always need to complete the form yourself. The usual first step is to contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or connect with an NDIS partner, who can take your application over the phone or help you complete it.

If you do use the form, you can download it from ndis.gov.au. Section 1 is completed by you (or your representative) and covers your details, how you would like to be contacted, and your consent for the NDIA to collect information and speak with your health professionals. Section 2 is completed by a treating professional who knows your disability well.

Attach your evidence of age, residence and disability with the form, and keep a copy of everything you send. If you need help, an NDIS partner, an advocacy service or a support coordinator can walk through it with you, and interpreting support is available through TIS National on 131 450.

A clear, well-evidenced application gives the NDIA what it needs to make a decision without going back and forth for more information.

What happens after you apply

Once the NDIA has a complete access request, it aims to make a decision within 21 days. If information is missing, the clock effectively pauses while the NDIA asks for what it needs, which is the most common reason applications take longer than expected.

If you are found eligible, you will be invited to a planning conversation with your NDIS partner or planner. It helps to arrive with your goals written down, a picture of a typical week, and a list of the supports you already use — this conversation shapes your first plan.

If you are not found eligible, you can request an internal review within three months of the decision. Many people succeed at this stage by adding stronger functional evidence. If the internal review does not change the outcome, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal, and free support is available through the National Disability Advocacy Program.

Whatever the outcome, ask for the decision in writing and keep it with your evidence — it makes any review much easier to prepare.

How My Care Link Australia can help

We're a free concierge service. Once you have an NDIS plan (or are about to), we match you with trusted providers in your area — support workers, support coordinators, allied health, SIL, housing and more.

We don't write your application or give medical advice. We help you find the right people once your plan is in place. Tell us your suburb and the supports you need, and we'll come back with providers who have capacity.