National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is for people with a disability. To be part of the NDIS you have to meet the access requirements.

• Age - you must be under 65 years old on the date you apply.
  
• Residency - you must be an Australian citizen, have a permanent visa or on a Protected Special Category Visa.
  
• Disability - you need to have a disability that is permanent or likely to be permanent. The disability must substantially reduce your ability to participate in activities, affects your capacity for social or economic participation and you are likely to need support under the NDIS throughout your lifetime.
  
• Early intervention requirements - if you don't meet the disability requirements, you may still be able to access the NDIS under the early intervention requirements, if you:
  
  • have a disability that permanent or is likely to be permanent and there is evidence that getting supports now will result in you needing less help in the future and improve or reduce the deterioration of your functional capacity or help your family and carers to keep helping you, or
    
  • are a child under six years old with a developmental delay and there is evidence that getting supports now will result in you needing less help in the future and improve or reduce the deterioration of your functional capacity or help your family and carers to keep helping you.
    

You will need to contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and ask for an Access Request Form. If you are already receiving disability supports you should be contacted by the NDIA.

The Access Request Form asks questions to see if you meet the access requirements. If you already get disability supports, your support provider may be able to provide this information. Otherwise, you may get a doctor or specialist to provide information.

For more information, see How to apply on the NDIS website.

If you are unhappy with a decision about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) you can ask for a review of that decision. This is like an appeal. It is not the same as the review that comes at the end of your plan period or a review that you can ask for if you have a change of circumstances.

Many decisions can be reviewed, including decisions about whether you can access the NDIS and decisions about what is in your plan including what funding for supports are provided.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) applies to goods and services purchased through the NDIS. These rights are called 'consumer guarantees.'

For more information, see Consumers with disabilities on the NSW Fair Trading website.