Ways to apply
No matter how you apply, the NDIA needs the same information and evidence. Choose the way that suits you:
- Call the NDIA on 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request
- Download the Access Request Form, complete it on your computer and email it with your evidence
- Print the form and post it with your evidence
- Ask the NDIA, your local NDIA office, a local area coordinator or an early childhood partner to send you a form or help you fill it in
What the Access Request Form asks for
The form has two parts. You complete Section 1, about you: your details, your age, where you live, your citizenship or visa, and how your disability affects your everyday life. Your treating health professional completes Section 2, about your disability and its impact.
If you already have recent reports or assessments that cover the same ground, you can send them instead of having Section 2 completed. A parent or guardian applies on behalf of a child, and someone you trust can help you with the form.
The evidence you need
Your request must include evidence of your age, your residence and citizenship or visa status, and your disability. Disability evidence works best when it comes from a professional who has treated you for a while and describes how things are now. It should cover:
- Your diagnosis and the impairment it causes
- Whether the impairment is permanent or likely to be permanent, and the treatment you have had
- How it affects communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self care and self management, with real examples
- The help you need, how often, and what happens without it
Other evidence forms
If the NDIA needs more information after you apply, your treating professional can complete the Supporting Evidence Form. For a primary psychosocial disability, the NDIA prefers the Evidence of Psychosocial Disability Form, completed by your treating professional, together with a functional assessment such as the LSP-16, HoNOS or WHODAS 2.0.
If your condition is on List A, such as autism diagnosed at level 2 or 3, the evidence mainly needs to confirm the diagnosis and its level.
Young children
If your child is younger than 9, start with an early childhood partner. They can offer early supports without your child needing to join the NDIS, and help you apply if your child needs longer term support. Children younger than 6 with developmental delay can apply under the early intervention requirements without a diagnosis.
What happens after you apply
The NDIA must make an access decision, or ask for more information, within 21 days of receiving your request. If it asks for more, you have 90 days to provide it, then it has 14 days to decide. Keep a note of the date you applied and copies of everything you sent.
If you are close to 65, apply first and gather evidence after. What counts for the age requirement is the date you made the request, not the date of the decision.
Changes coming in 2028
You can apply under the current rules until 1 January 2028. From then, access will be based on a standardised assessment of functional capacity, and children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs who apply will be supported by Thriving Kids instead. Treating professional evidence, especially your diagnosis and treatment history, will still matter.