What the Disability Gateway does
The Disability Gateway is a starting point when you are not sure where to go. It does not provide or fund supports itself. Instead it explains the organisations and programs that can help, and links you to them, across Commonwealth, state and territory services.
It is run by the Australian Government, and the website is maintained by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It is for people with disability, their families and carers, and anyone helping them.
Areas of life it covers
The website is organised into areas of life, so you can start with the problem you have rather than the name of a program:
- Income and finance: payments and financial support
- Employment: training and help to find and keep a job
- Aids and equipment: technology that makes everyday tasks easier
- Housing: programs and information to find a home that suits you
- Transport: help getting where you need to go
- Health and wellbeing: services for your physical and mental health
- Everyday living: help with the things you do each day
- Education: learning at every stage of life
- Leisure: sport, recreation, travel and tourism
- Rights and legal: help with discrimination and legal problems
Finding an advocate
Advocacy is when someone speaks up with you, or for you, when you cannot do it alone. The Disability Gateway lists disability advocacy organisations in each state and territory, and links to the Ask Izzy Disability Advocacy finder.
An advocate can help you understand your rights, have your say, and raise a problem, for example if you are treated unfairly because of your disability, or if you disagree with an NDIA decision.
How to contact the Disability Gateway
- Phone: 1800 643 787, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Australian Eastern Standard or Daylight Time
- Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50, then ask for the Disability Gateway
- National Relay Service: 1800 555 677, if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment
- Website: disabilitygateway.gov.au, which has an Easy Read option, a listen feature and a search for services in your local area
The Disability Gateway and the NDIS
The Disability Gateway is not part of the NDIS and does not decide eligibility or funding. It is useful whether you are an NDIS participant, waiting to apply, or not eligible. Most people with disability are not NDIS participants, and the Gateway points to the mainstream and community services available to everyone.
If you are an NDIS participant, the Gateway can help with things your plan does not cover, such as income support, concession cards, accessible transport schemes and complaints about discrimination. For questions about your NDIS plan, contact the NDIA, your local area coordinator or your support coordinator.
Other things on the website
The site also hosts the Australia's Disability Strategy Hub, information on supported decision making, safety and help pages with a quick exit button, and news about consultations, including the 2026 NDIS reforms. You can subscribe to the department's Disability Update newsletter there.