Age
You must be under 65 when you apply.
If you are 65 or older when you first apply, you will be referred to aged care services instead.
NDIS · Eligibility
Am I eligible for the NDIS?
Answer four quick questions and we'll tell you where you likely stand, what evidence you'll need, and the real steps from application to first plan. Plain English, no sales pitch.
Eligibility checker Question 1 of 4
How old is the person this is for?
The NDIS is for people who apply before turning 65.
What best describes their residency?
They must also live in Australia.
Is the disability likely to be lifelong?
The NDIA calls this a "permanent impairment". It can be physical, intellectual, sensory, cognitive, or psychosocial.
Does it significantly affect everyday life?
Things like communication, mobility, self-care, learning, or taking part socially.
Likely eligible
Good news: you tick all three boxes.
Based on your answers, you meet the age, residency, and disability criteria the NDIA checks. The next step is gathering evidence and submitting an Access Request, and we can help with both.
Worth exploring
You may qualify. It depends on the evidence.
Your answers suggest eligibility could go either way. That's very common: it usually comes down to how clearly the impact of the disability is documented. A short conversation with our team can save you months.
Different pathway
Aged care is the pathway at 65 and over.
If someone is 65 or older when they first apply, support comes through My Aged Care rather than the NDIS. If they joined the NDIS before turning 65, they can choose to stay with it.
Not eligible yet
Residency is the hurdle right now.
NDIS access needs Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or a Protected SCV. Until then, state-based and community supports may still be available, and we're happy to point you in the right direction.
NDIS may not fit
The NDIS probably isn't the right door, but there are others.
A temporary condition or limited day-to-day impact usually doesn't meet the NDIA's access criteria. Community services, Medicare-funded therapies, and state programs may suit better, and early intervention pathways exist for children.
Four questions · No details stored
The three criteria
You need all three to qualify.
Residency
Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Special Category Visa holder.
Some New Zealand citizens on Protected SCV are also eligible. You must live in Australia.
Disability
A permanent and significant disability that affects daily activities.
The NDIA looks at impairment (physical, intellectual, sensory, cognitive, psychosocial) and how it impacts communication, mobility, self-care, self-management, learning, or social interaction.
From application to first plan
Four steps, start to finish.
Check yourself
Use the checker above to see if you meet the three access criteria.
Gather evidence
Reports from your GP, specialist, therapist, or school. We can help you understand what is needed.
Submit an Access Request
By phone, online, or in paper form. The NDIA has 21 days to decide once they have the evidence.
Plan meeting
If approved, you attend a planning meeting where your first plan is built around your goals.
Common questions
Quick answers.
What if I am not eligible?
The NDIS is not the only option. We can help you find community services, state-based supports, and other disability programs that may suit.
Some conditions are automatically eligible: which ones?
List A conditions (such as certain intellectual disabilities, blindness, or paraplegia) usually give automatic access. Your doctor can confirm.
Can I reapply if I am denied?
Yes. You can request an internal review within three months, or submit new evidence and apply again. We can help you prepare either.
Need help applying?
We can help with evidence, paperwork, and the plan meeting.
Get in touch
Tell us what you need. We'll take it from there.
Whether you're exploring NDIS for the first time, looking for a support worker, or asking about one of our homes, we'll reply within a few minutes.
- Response within a few minutes
- No call centre. Real people.
- Confidential. Always.
Prefer to call? 03 5998 0717