National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) eligibility is based on several criteria: age, residency, and disability. Specific requirements also exist for children aged 0-9, including those with developmental delay, and people with psychosocial disabilities.
Age Requirements
To be eligible for the NDIS, you must be under 65. Your age determines whether you qualify for early connections and the NDIS (under 9) or community connections and the NDIS (9 to 65 years old). Children younger than 9 can receive early intervention support to address developmental delays or disabilities.
Residency Requirements
You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, or hold a special category visa (SCV) for some New Zealand citizens. You’ll need to provide evidence of residency, such as consent for the NDIS to access your Centrelink record.
Disability Requirements
You must have a disability caused by an impairment that is likely to be permanent. The impairment must substantially reduce your functional capacity to undertake one or more activities: moving around, communicating, socialising, learning, or self-care.
Meeting the Disability Requirements
The NDIS requires evidence that your disability is caused by at least one of the following impairments: intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical. You may also qualify if you have a psychosocial disability, meaning your mental health reduces your capacity to perform daily activities.
Assessing Permanent Disability
The NDIS needs evidence that the permanent impairment will likely last a lifetime, considering all available treatment options. This includes evaluating the effectiveness of medical, clinical, or other treatments.
Reduced Functional Capacity
The NDIS assesses your ability to perform activities in areas like communication, socialisation, learning, mobility, self-care, and self-management (for those over 6). It also considers whether you need support from others, assistive technology, or home modifications.
If You’re Not Eligible for the NDIS funding
There may be other government or community services you can access. For children under 9, this is called early connections; for those aged 9–64, it’s community connections. Keep up to datye with the latest NDIS eligibility criteria here.
NDIS Eligibility for Mental Health Conditions
If your mental health condition causes psychosocial disability, you may be eligible. You must show that your condition substantially reduces your ability to perform everyday activities and will likely always require NDIS support.
Early Intervention Requirements and Supports
If you don’t meet the disability requirements, you may still qualify for early intervention. This means receiving support early to reduce the impact of your impairment. Early intervention supports are generally short-term and have specific requirements based on age. Learn more here.
Support for Children Under 9
The National Early Childhood Approach (ECA) supports children under 6 with developmental delays or under 9 with disabilities. Early intervention support is crucial for children in the early stages of impairment or developmental delay to lessen the impact on their functional capacity, reduce future need for supports, and strengthen informal supports. Early connections can include access to mainstream services, practical information, other families, and early supports.
Applying to the NDIS
Assistance can be provided through early connections for children eligible for the NDIS. Review the NDIS Access Checklist and call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 to discuss eligibility. You can also learn more here.
Is the NDIS Income or Asset Tested?
The NDIS is not means-tested and does not consider your income or assets. It aims to provide support based on eligibility criteria alone.
Making an NDIS Access Request
For people aged 9-65, contact your local NDIS office or partner to connect with disability supports or apply for the NDIS. For children under 9, refer to the NDIS early childhood approach and contact your local early childhood partner. Children with developmental delay may meet the early intervention requirements. Early intervention support provided by early childhood partners can help address developmental delay and guide families through accessing NDIS funding and supports. Those in remote areas, with complex needs, or in hospitals or justice settings should contact the NDIS directly on 1800 800 110.
What Does Simplified Plan Management Do?
Simplified Plan Management is an independent NDIS Plan Manager. We help NDIS participants manage their funding. Plan management is one option for managing your NDIS Plan, similar to having a bookkeeper for financial aspects. There is no cost for plan management, and it allows using unregistered providers. Find out more about Simplified Plan Management and Plan Management here.
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