you must check your eligibility, gather medical evidence, and submit an Access Request Form (ARF) to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). [1, 2]
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process smoothly.
1. Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, ensure you meet the three core NDIS entry requirements: [3, 4, 5]
- Age: You must be aged under 65 on the day you apply.
- Residency: You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
- Disability: You must have a permanent and significant disability that impacts your ability to complete daily life activities. [6, 7]
2. Connect with an NDIS Partner
You do not have to go through this alone. The NDIA funds free local partners to guide you: [1, 8, 9, 10]
- Aged 9 to 64: Connect with a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) in your community.
- Under 9 years old: Connect with an Early Childhood Partner.
- How to find them: Use the official NDIS Office Finder tool to locate a partner near you, or call the NDIS hotline at 1800 800 110. [1, 6, 11, 12]
3. Gather Supporting Evidence
The NDIS needs proof of how your disability affects your daily living. [13, 14]
- Ask your GP, specialist, or allied health professional (like an occupational therapist or physiotherapist) to complete the NDIS Supporting Evidence Form.
- Ensure reports detail your specific functional impacts across areas like mobility, communication, self-care, and learning.
- Prepare three identity documents (such as your passport, Medicare card, or driver’s licence). [2, 6, 15, 16]
4. Complete and Submit Your Request
There are three ways to lodge an official Access Request: [4, 14, 17]
- By Phone: Call 1800 800 110 to complete a Verbal Access Request with an agent.
- By Email/Mail: Fill out a paper Access Request Form with your LAC and email it to NAT@NDIS.gov.au.
- In Person: Take your documents to a local NDIS office location. [4, 14, 18]
5. What Happens Next?
- The Decision: The NDIS will review your documents and reply within 21 days to let you know if you are approved.
- The Planning Meeting: If approved, a planner or LAC will contact you to build your first NDIS plan.
- Managing Funds: You will discuss how you want to manage your budget—whether you prefer to manage it yourself (Self-managed) or hire an expert to pay bills for you (Plan-managed). [14, 19, 20, 21, 22]
[2] https://priorityhealthgroup.com.au
[3] https://kimberleycaregroup.com.au
[5] https://mymobileplanmanager.com.au
[9] https://www.accessdisabilityservices.com.au
[10] https://affectivecare.com.au
[13] https://abilitytoachieve.com.au
[14] https://www.relianthealthcare.com.au
[17] https://www.learninglinks.org.au
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