How to apply for the NDIS: eligibility, access requests and evidence

Applying for the NDIS is a specific process with clear steps, but it is also the point where many people get stuck, usually because the evidence they submit does not do enough to show how their disability affects everyday life. This guide walks through who is eligible, how to make an access request, and what evidence actually makes the difference. For the scheme as a whole, start with our guide to the NDIS. The NDIS contact line is 1800 800 110.

Step one: check the eligibility rules

Before applying, it is worth checking the three eligibility tests, because they are firm gates rather than guidelines.

• Age. You must be under 65 when you apply. This is a hard cut-off: if you are 65 or over, the aged care system is your pathway instead, not the NDIS. If you are approaching 65 and might be eligible, apply before your birthday. See our guide to the NDIS and turning 65.
• Residence. You need to live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
• Disability. You need to show either that you have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities, or that you meet the early intervention requirements (where support now would reduce your future needs).

If you meet the age and residence tests, the disability evidence is where your application will succeed or fall down.

Step two: make an access request

Once you are confident you meet the criteria, you make an Access Request. There are two ways:

1. Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request, or
2. Complete an Access Request Form and submit it with your supporting evidence.

You will provide your personal details, confirm the age and residence criteria, give consent for the NDIS to collect information, and supply evidence of your disability. A person can be helped to do this by a family member, carer, nominee, or a health professional.

Step three: get the evidence right

This is the most important part. The NDIS is deciding whether your disability is permanent and whether it significantly affects your daily functioning, so your evidence needs to speak to both.

Strong evidence usually:

• Comes from a treating health professional who knows your situation (a GP, specialist, occupational therapist, psychologist, or other relevant clinician), not a one-off assessor who has never met you.
• Confirms the diagnosis and that the condition is permanent or is not expected to improve to the point where support is no longer needed.
• Describes functional impact in concrete terms. This is the part people most often under-do. It is not enough to name a condition; the evidence should spell out what you cannot do, or can only do with help, across areas like mobility, communication, self-care, learning, and social interaction.

A practical way to think about it: the diagnosis explains what you have, but the NDIS funds the impact. Evidence that says "significant difficulty showering and dressing without assistance; unable to use public transport independently; needs prompting for daily tasks" carries far more weight than a diagnosis alone.

Keep copies of everything you submit.

Step four: the decision and what follows

The NDIS assesses your access request and makes an access decision within a target timeframe. There are two outcomes:

• Found eligible. You become a participant and move into planning, where your goals and needs are discussed and a first plan is built. From there you choose supports and providers. See our guides to NDIS budget categories and choosing an NDIS provider.
• Found not eligible. You will be told why. If you disagree, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed. Often an unsuccessful application succeeds on a second attempt with stronger functional evidence, so read the reasons carefully and address the specific gaps.

Children and early intervention

The process is different for young children. Children younger than a set age are supported through an early childhood approach, where you can contact an early childhood partner directly rather than making a standard access request; they can help without a formal NDIS access request in some cases. For older children and adults, the early intervention pathway recognises that getting support in early can reduce the need for support later, even where a disability is not yet clearly permanent.

If you are not eligible for the NDIS

The NDIS is not the only source of support. People who do not meet the criteria, including those who acquire a disability at or after 65, may be supported through the aged care system, state and territory services, or community programs. Our guides to home support and the NDIS and turning 65 cover the alternatives, and you can browse verified disability and community supports on Our Mate.

Because the forms, timeframes, and detailed criteria are set by the NDIS and updated over time, confirm the current requirements at 1800 800 110 or ndis.gov.au before you apply.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the NDIS?

To be eligible you must be under 65 when you apply, live in Australia as a citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder, and have a permanent and significant disability that affects your everyday activities, or meet the early intervention requirements. All three tests apply.

How do I apply for the NDIS?

You make an access request, either by calling the NDIS on 1800 800 110 or by completing an Access Request Form and submitting it with evidence. You confirm your age and residence, give consent, and provide evidence of your disability from a treating health professional. A family member, carer, or health professional can help you do it.

What evidence do I need to apply for the NDIS?

You need evidence from a treating health professional that confirms your diagnosis, states that the disability is permanent (or not expected to improve enough to remove the need for support), and describes the functional impact on your daily life. The functional detail is the most important part: spell out what you cannot do, or can only do with help, rather than just naming the condition.

What happens if my NDIS application is rejected?

You will be told the reasons. You can ask for the decision to be reviewed. Many applications that are unsuccessful the first time succeed on a second attempt once the evidence better shows how the disability affects everyday functioning, so it is worth addressing the specific gaps identified rather than resubmitting the same material.

Can I apply for the NDIS after 65?

No. You must be under 65 at the time you apply. If you are 65 or over, the aged care system is the pathway to support instead. If you are close to 65 and think you may be eligible, apply before your birthday, because you cannot join the NDIS once you have turned 65.