To access the NDIS, you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

Age requirement

You must be younger than 65 years of age on the day you apply.

Residence requirement

You must live in Australia and be:

• an Australian citizen; or

• the holder of a permanent visa; or

• a Protected Special Category Visa holder.

Disability or Early Intervention requirement

You may be eligible if:

• you have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities; or

• you meet the NDIS early intervention requirements, where access to appropriate supports is likely to reduce your future support needs or improve your functional capacity.

You can use the eligibility checklist on the NDIS website to see whether you may be eligible for the NDIS.

For more information, please refer to the NDIS Applying to the NDIS guideline and eligibility information available on the NDIS website.

Evidence Required for an NDIS Application

To determine whether you are eligible for the NDIS, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will need information and evidence about your age, residency, disability and how your disability affects your daily life.

Evidence of Age and Residency

The easiest way to confirm your age and residency is to provide consent for the NDIA to verify this information through Centrelink records, where available.

Alternatively, you may be asked to provide copies of official documents.

To verify your age, the NDIA may accept documents such as:

• Birth certificate

• Passport

• Driver licence

• Proof of age card

To verify your residency, the NDIA may accept documents such as:

• Australian birth certificate

• Australian citizenship certificate

• Australian passport

• Permanent visa documentation

• Protected Special Category Visa documentation

Evidence of Disability and Functional Capacity

The NDIS requires evidence about your disability and how it affects your ability to participate in everyday activities.

This evidence may include:

• Medical reports

• Specialist assessments

• Allied health assessments

• Functional capacity assessments

• Written statements from treating professionals

The type of evidence required will depend on your disability and individual circumstances.

The NDIS website provides guidance and examples of the types of evidence commonly required for different disabilities.

Who Can Provide Disability Evidence?

Evidence of disability should generally be provided by an appropriately qualified treating health professional who is familiar with your disability and support needs.

Depending on your disability, this may include:

• General practitioners (GPs)

• Paediatricians

• Neurologists

• Psychiatrists

• Psychologists

• Occupational therapists

• Other relevant treating specialists or allied health professionals

The most appropriate professional will depend on the nature of your primary disability and its impact on your daily life.

Children with developmental delay may be supported through the NDIS early childhood approach, and the NDIS can provide information about the evidence required.

The NDIS also provides resources on its website to help treating professionals prepare evidence that supports an access request.

Once you submit an access request, the NDIS will assess your application and may contact you if additional information or evidence is required.

The NDIS will let you know the outcome of your application, explain how the decision was made and provide information about any available review rights.

If Your Access Request Is Approved

If you meet the access requirements, you will become an NDIS participant.

The NDIS will work with you to understand your goals, circumstances and support needs. This information will help inform the development of your NDIS plan and funding.

If Your Access Request Is Not Approved

If you do not meet the NDIS access requirements, the NDIS will explain the reasons for the decision and provide information about your review rights.

The NDIS may also provide information about community, mainstream and other supports that may be available to assist you.

If your circumstances change or you obtain new information or evidence about your disability and support needs, you may be able to make a new access request in the future.

For the most up-to-date information about NDIS access requirements and application processes, visit the NDIS website at www.ndis.gov.au.