The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports all Australians living with disabilities aged under 65. The NDIS is a social insurance model for Australians living with a permanent disability that has a significant functional impact on day to day life.
The NDIS will only support you if you have a permanent disability that impacts you across a number of areas of your life such as;
- Self-care (showering, dressing, eating)
- Accessing the community
- Working and studying
- Forming friendships, relationships and connections
- Maintaining your health and wellbeing (physical and mental)
- Ability to live independently or with others
If you think you might be eligible for the NDIS, you can download an Access Request Form.
You may need to work with your GP, allied health professionals, and specialists to provide information relating to your diagnosis and ability to complete different tasks on the Access Request Form (ARF).
Anyone who thinks they are eligible for the NDIS can:
- phone 1800 800 110 and make a verbal access request, or
- download and complete the ARF on your computer and email it to the NDIA with supporting information, or
- download the ARF on your computer, print it out, and mail it to the NDIA with supporting information, or
- email NAT@ndis.gov.au and ask for an ARF to be mailed, or
- contact your local NDIA office and ask for an ARF to be mailed to you.
The ARF is sent to the NDIA Access Team who will decide if you are eligible.
To increase your chances of getting access to the NDIS we recommend:
Be as detailed and thorough as possible when completing your ARF. Don’t leave anything out. Make appointments with your medical professionals like your GP, specialists and allied health professionals to help you complete the form. Include additional reports from your medical professionals to accompany the ARF you send to the NDIA. The more evidence the better. Fill the form in as if you are having your worst day. Even though this may be difficult for you, it’s important that the NDIA have an accurate picture of how your disability impacts you. Submit your ARF before you turn 65 yrs old otherwise you will not be eligible. Remember your ARF needs to specifically contain wording that shows your disability is; Permanent (will never resolve and there are no medical options) Has a functional impact (impacts your ability to complete day to day tasks) Good luck!!
