Your Age
You must be younger than 65 on the day your completed application is received. Children younger than 9 are supported through the NDIS early childhood approach.
Official Age Requirements (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab) Registered 
Provider Eligibility Guide
Am I Eligible for the ?
The access requirements can feel complicated. This clear, participant-friendly guide explains what the NDIS looks at and connects you with the right official next step.
Important: This guide is general information only. The NDIA is the only organisation that can decide whether someone is eligible for the NDIS.
The Access Pathway
- AgeYounger Than 65
- ResidenceLives in Australia
- Support NeedsDisability and/or Early Intervention
Start Here
The Looks at Your Age, Residence and Support Needs.
You must meet the age and residence requirements, then meet the disability requirements, early intervention requirements or both.
Where You Live
You must live in Australia, spend most of your time here and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Special Category visa holder.
Official Residence Requirements (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)Disability Requirements
You may meet this pathway if a likely permanent impairment significantly affects everyday life and you are likely to need disability-specific NDIS supports throughout your life.
Official Disability Requirements (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)Early Intervention
For a likely permanent impairment, early NDIS supports must help everyday abilities or informal supports and reduce future support needs. Different requirements apply to children younger than 6 with developmental delay.
Official Early Intervention Requirements (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)Meeting these points does not automatically confirm eligibility. The NDIA considers each person’s circumstances and the evidence provided.
Information Last Checked 1 September 2026
Everyday Impact Matters
The Looks Beyond a Diagnosis.
Evidence should explain how a likely permanent impairment affects everyday life. You do not need difficulty in every area—the NDIA looks at your overall circumstances.
Read the Official Disability Guidance (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)See the Six Areas of Everyday Life
- 01Communication
Understanding and being understood
- 02Social Interaction
Connecting and taking part with others
- 03Learning
Understanding, remembering and developing skills
- 04Mobility
Moving safely at home and in the community
- 05Self-Care
Personal care and everyday routines
- 06Self-Management
Planning, decisions and managing daily life
Children and Early SupportRead About Early Intervention+
Early Support Can Open Up More Possibilities.
Outside the specific pathway for children younger than 6 with developmental delay, early intervention requires an impairment that is likely to be permanent. Early NDIS supports must be expected to improve or maintain everyday abilities, or help informal supports such as family or carers, and reduce future support needs.
- Children younger than 9 can connect with an early childhood partner.
- Children younger than 6 with developmental delay have a specific early intervention pathway.
- A person may meet the disability requirements, early intervention requirements or both.
Preparing to ApplySee What Evidence May Help+
Your Experience MattersGood Evidence Connects the Impairment to Real Life.
Start with What Already Exists.
Useful evidence is personal, specific and provided by a professional who understands your disability and how it affects you. Existing information may include:
- Information About Your Disability or Primary Impairment
- Why the Impairment Is Likely to Be Permanent
- How It Affects Everyday Activities and Different Areas of Life
- Treatments You Have Tried, Their Outcomes and Future Options
- Existing Reports, Assessments, Letters or Written Statements
- Identity, Age and Residence Documents Requested by the NDIS
A Practical First Step: Gather your existing information, then ask an NDIS partner what else may be needed before arranging new assessments.
Learn How to Gather Evidence (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)The Application PathwaySee the Step-by-Step Process+
How to Apply
You Can Take It One Step at a Time.
You do not have to know every answer before you begin. An NDIS partner can help you understand the process and what information may be useful.
View the Official Application Process (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)01
Check and Ask for Help
Use the official eligibility questions and connect with an NDIS partner if you would like help understanding the process or other community supports.
02
Prepare Your Evidence
Gather information about your impairment, why it is likely to be permanent and how it affects everyday life. A treating professional can help explain this.
03
Apply and Receive a Decision
Apply with help from an NDIS partner or through an official application option. The NDIA will provide a decision or ask for more information.
After the DecisionUnderstand What Can Happen Next+
Clear Answers, Without the Jargon.
Select a question to read the answer.
01Does a Diagnosis Automatically Make Me Eligible?+
No. A diagnosis can form part of your evidence, but the NDIA also considers likely permanence, the impact on everyday life, your support needs and the evidence provided.
02Do I Need to Complete Every Form by Myself?+
No. An NDIS partner can help you understand and complete the application. A family member, friend, representative or treating professional may also support you.
03Who Decides if I Am Eligible?+
Only the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) can make an NDIS access decision. Providers and health professionals can explain information or provide evidence, but they cannot approve eligibility.
04What About Children with Developmental Concerns?+
Children younger than 9 and their families can connect with an early childhood partner. Children younger than 6 with developmental delay have a specific early intervention pathway, and some early supports may be available without first becoming an NDIS participant.
05What If My Application Is Not Approved?+
The access decision letter should explain the reasons and next steps. You can ask for an internal review within three months, explore community and mainstream supports, or apply again if your circumstances or evidence change.
Official Resources
Go Straight to the Source.
Eligibility information can change. These links take you directly to the official NDIS website for the latest guidance.
Check Your Eligibility
Work through the official age, residence, disability and early intervention questions.
Open Resource (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)How to Apply
See the current application pathway and the ways an NDIS partner can help.
Open Resource (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)Gather Supporting Evidence
Understand what makes evidence useful and who may be able to provide it.
Open Resource (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)More Official Resources
- Access Request FormLearn when the form may be used, what it asks and how it can be submitted. (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)
- Find an Partner or OfficeFind local help to understand eligibility, evidence and your next step. (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)
- Accessible InformationFind Easy Read resources, factsheets and information in other languages and formats. (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)
- Protect Your PlanRead the official guidance about keeping your plan and personal information safe. (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)
Prefer to speak with the NDIS? Call the National Contact Centre on 1800 800 110.
View Official Contact Options (opens the official NDIS website in a new tab)Already Have an Plan?
Your Plan Is About Your Life, Your Goals and What Matters to You.
You can use your own words. We’ll help make sense of the support details with you.
Tell Us About Your Goals
Prefer to talk? Call 0452 494 411