Who can access the NDIS?

If you are aged under 65 years and have a permanent and significant disability, you may be eligible for NDIS services.

To become an NDIS participant you must satisfy each of the following conditions through an assessment that will be conducted by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA):

• Disability requirement
  You have a permanent disability that significantly affects your ability to take part in everyday activities, such as dressing, showering, cleaning your house, or traveling around your community
• Age requirement
  You are aged less than 65 years when you register for the NDIS
• Residency requirement
  You are an Australian citizen, hold a permanent visa, or have a Protected Special Category visa
• Availability requirement
  The NDIS has been rolled out to the place where you live

Disability requirement

The NDIA will ask you questions to see if you meet ALL of the following conditions:

• You have an impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent
• Your impairment substantially reduces your ability to participate effectively in activities, or perform tasks or actions unless you have:
  • assistance from other people, or
  • assistive technology or equipment (other than common items such as glasses), or
  • you can’t participate effectively even with assistance or aides and equipment
• Your impairment affects your capacity for social and economic participation
• You are likely to require support under the NDIS for your lifetime

NDIA may ask you to provide information about your disability, development delay, or early intervention requirements. This may include providing copies of existing letters, assessments or reports from health or educational professionals that detail your impairment and its impact on your daily life.

Age requirement

You must be aged under 65 years, or under 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at the time you register for an assessment with NDIA. As long as your register before your 65th birthday, and satisfy the other eligibility requirements, you will be able to choose if you use NDIS services or aged care services.

Residency requirement

To access the NDIS, you must live in Australia and be one of the following.

• An Australian citizen
• A permanent resident
• Hold a Protected Special Category Visa

You can find out if you are eligible for the NDIS funding through an online tool called the NDIS Access Checklist. 

If you would like to contact the NDIS direct go to ndis.gov.au
Email enquiries@ndis.gov.au
Call 1800 800 110* Monday to Friday, 8am to 11pm local times
For people with hearing or speech loss:
– TTY: 1800 555 677
– Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727
– For people who need help with English TIS: 131 450