How do I apply for the NDIS?

Last checked: 1 November 2026

The short answer

To get into the NDIS you must be under 65 when you apply, live in Australia and be a citizen, permanent visa holder or protected special category visa holder. You must also meet the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements. You apply to the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) with an access request and evidence about your disability. If the NDIA says no, you have 3 months to ask for an internal review, and you can also apply again at any time unless a review of the refusal is still going.

Key dates and time limits

• You must be under 65 on the day you make your access request.
• The law gives the NDIA up to 90 days to decide or to ask you for more information. NDIS rules can set a shorter time.
• If the NDIA asks for more information or a report, you usually have 90 days to give it, or longer if the request says so. If you do not, your request can be treated as withdrawn.
• Once the NDIA has everything it asked for, it has 14 days to decide or ask for more.
• If you are refused, you have 3 months from getting the letter to ask for an internal review.

Step by step

1. 1

   Check the access rules

   You must be under 65 when you apply. You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a permanent visa holder or a protected special category visa holder. You also need to meet either the disability requirements or the early intervention requirements, and the NDIA must look at both.

2. 2

   Know what the disability requirements mean

   Your impairment must be permanent or likely to be permanent. It must substantially reduce what you can do in at least one area: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self care or self management. It must affect your ability to take part socially or economically, and you must be likely to need NDIS supports for life. A condition that comes and goes, such as some mental health conditions, can still count as permanent.

3. 3

   Or check the early intervention requirements

   These can apply if you have a permanent or likely permanent impairment, or you are a child with developmental delay. The NDIA must be satisfied that early supports now are likely to reduce your future support needs and help your functioning or your carers.

4. 4

   Make your access request

   Contact the NDIA and ask to make an access request. Use the NDIA's form if it has one, and give all the information and documents it asks for. You must say that you have included everything you have that it asked for.

5. 5

   Send strong evidence

   Ask your doctor, specialist or therapist for a report. It should name your condition, say whether it is permanent, list the treatment you have had, and explain in detail how it affects your daily life in each of the six areas. Reports from treating professionals who know you well are usually the most useful.

6. 6

   Answer any NDIA requests on time

   The NDIA may ask for more information, an assessment or a medical report. Send it within the time in the letter. If you need longer, ask straight away and keep a note of who you spoke to.

7. 7

   If you are refused

   The letter must give reasons and tell you about your review rights. You can ask for an internal review within 3 months, and then go to the Administrative Review Tribunal if you still disagree. You can also make a new access request with better evidence, unless a review of the refusal is still under way.

Who can help

Forms and the law