NDIS FAQs

To be eligible for the NDIS, you first need to meet the age and residence requirements. This means you need to be younger than 65 when you apply, live in Australia, and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You also need to have a disability caused by an impairment.

If you think you might be eligible and want to apply:

1. make a verbal application by calling NDIS on 1800 800 110, or
2. complete an Access Request Form and return it to NDIS

If you need help to apply, please contact your local area coordinator, early childhood partner, or NDIA office.

Make a verbal application

You can apply to the NDIS by calling 1800 800 110 to make a verbal application.

They will ask for the same information as the application form.

You will be asked:

• to confirm your identity and/or a person's authority to act on your behalf, and
• questions about providing consent to apply for the NDIS and about getting information from third parties.

Complete an Access Request Form

You can apply to the NDIS by completing an Access Request Form.

You can:

• download the Access Request Form
• call or email and ask NDIS to send you the form, or
• collect a form from your local area coordinator, early childhood partner, or NDIA office.

You need to complete Section 1 and then sign and date the form.

If someone else signs the form on your behalf, you need to give NDIS evidence of your consent by:

• calling 1800 800 110 and giving your verbal authority, or
• attaching written consent to the form.

A treating professional completes Section 2 and then signs and dates the form.

Get your evidence

When you apply, you must also send NDIS evidence to prove:

• your age
• you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• you live in Australia permanently
• your disability

You can visit the following pages on the NDIS website for information about evidence of your disability:

• Providing evidence of your disability
• Providing evidence of disability for children.

Please do not send USB devices or CDs, as NDIS will not be able to use this information.

Send NDIS your form and evidence

You can submit your form and evidence:

by email to: NAT@ndis.gov.au

by mail to: GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601

to your local NDIA office. Visit the contact us page on the NDIS website to find an office near you.

Email is the quickest way to:

• return your Access Request Form and evidence
• receive information from NDIS about your application.

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and improved quality of life.

The NDIS also connects anyone with a disability to services in their community.

This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries, and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.

The NDIS now supports over 500,000 Australians with a disability to access the services and support they need.

This includes supporting approximately 80,000 children with developmental delays, ensuring they receive support early so that they achieve the best outcomes throughout their lives.

A supply to an NDIS participant is GST-free if all of the following requirements are met: the NDIS participant has an NDIS plan in effect, the supply is of reasonable and necessary supports that are specified in the statement of supports in the participant's NDIS plan.

If you're a participant, the payments you receive (including funds you self-manage) are tax-free. However, you can't claim deductions for expenses you incur or assets you buy under the scheme. You can't claim a deduction for anything paid for by the NDIS, even if the expense is used to produce your income.

The NDIS provides funding to eligible people based on their individual needs. Every NDIS participant has an individual plan that lists their goals and the funding they have received. NDIS participants use their funding to purchase supports and services that will help them pursue their goals.

Plan management is when a provider supports you to manage funding in your NDIS plan. These providers are known as plan managers.

An NDIS plan manager will help you monitor your funds, and provide financial reporting. A support coordinator will support you to understand and implement supports included in your plan. A support coordinator will link you to providers and other community and government services.