What makes a decision reviewable
Not every NDIA action can be formally challenged. A reviewable decision is one listed in section 99 of the NDIS Act. For these decisions the NDIA must give you written notice and its reasons, and you have the right to ask for a review.
If you are not sure whether something is reviewable, ask the NDIA or check your decision letter. It should explain your review rights.
Common reviewable decisions
- That you are not eligible for the NDIS, or are no longer a participant
- Approving your plan, which includes which supports are funded, how they are described, how your funding is managed and how long the plan runs
- Deciding not to do a plan reassessment, or not to vary your plan
- Varying your plan
- Appointing, changing or cancelling a plan nominee or a child representative
- Which categories of impairment you meet, and a refusal to vary your notice of impairments
- Whether you qualify for the high support needs plan variation pathway introduced in October 2026, and whether that variation is approved
When no decision counts as a decision
Some delays are treated as refusals so you can move to a review. Since 27 August 2026, if you ask for an unscheduled reassessment and the NDIA has not decided within 90 days, it is treated as refused, and you can seek a review of that deemed refusal.
Decisions you cannot have reviewed
Some things are outside review. The clearest recent example is the October 2026 funding reset made by support determination: you cannot ask for a review of the 50% and 10% reduction itself. You can still ask for a variation or unscheduled reassessment if your needs have changed in a significant and ongoing way, and those decisions are reviewable.
Complaints about service, such as delays or how staff treated you, are not reviews. Raise those as a complaint with the NDIA, then the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
How to ask for an internal review
- Ask within 3 months of receiving the written notice of the decision
- Ask online, by phone on 1800 800 110, by email, by mail or in person. Say which decision you want reviewed and why you think it is wrong
- Add new evidence if you have it, such as therapy reports or a functional capacity assessment
- A staff member who was not involved in the original decision looks at it again. The NDIA aims to finish internal reviews within 60 days
External review at the Administrative Review Tribunal
If you still disagree after the internal review, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). You must have had an internal review first, and you have 28 days after the internal review decision to apply.
The ART is independent of the NDIA. Many cases are settled through case conferences before a hearing. Free help is available through the NDIS Appeals program, which funds disability advocates and, in some cases, legal help.
Provider registration decisions
Providers have review rights too, but with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission rather than the NDIA. If the Commission refuses your registration, you can ask it for a review within three months of the decision, then go to the ART if you are still unsuccessful.