Am I Eligible for the NDIS?

Am I Eligible for the NDIS?
one 01

Age Eligibility

Are you under 65 years of age? To access the NDIS, you must be younger than 65 at the time of application.

Yes

Proceed to question 2
No
you are not eligible for the NDIS. However, you may qualify for aged care supports. Check your eligibility at www.myagedcare.gov.au

two 02

Residency Requirement

Do you hold Australian Residency? To access the NDIS, you must live in Australia and be:

- An Australian citizen,
- A permanent resident, or
- Hold a protected special category visa.

Yes

Proceed to question 3
No
You are not eligible for the NDIS. Explore other supports available through community and government services.

three 03

Disability Assessment

Do you require support from another person or use special equipment for everyday tasks due to a permanent and significant disability?

Yes
You may be eligible for the NDIS. Check your eligibility at https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply
No
Process to question 4

four 04

Early Intervention Support

Do you require supports now to reduce your future support needs?
To access early intervention supports under the NDIS, you must:
- Have a permanent disability or
- Be a child aged less than 9 years old with a permanent disability or significant developmental delay and
- Require early intervention support to reduce the impact of your disability or developmental delay.
- You must provide evidence that receiving support now will help reduce the impact and build your skill and independence.

Yes
You may be eligible for the NDIS. Check your eligibility at https://www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis/how-apply

No
You are not eligible for the NDIS. Explore other supports through community and government services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine if I am eligible for the NDIS?

To ascertain your eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), consider the following criteria:

  1. Citizenship/Visa Status: You must be an Australian citizen or hold a Permanent or a Special Category visa.
  2. Age Range: Eligibility is applicable to individuals aged between 9 and 65.
  3. Disability Criteria: To qualify, you should have a permanent and significant disability.

This straightforward checklist helps you understand the basic requirements for NDIS eligibility. Ensure that you fulfil these criteria to access the support provided by the NDIS.

What disabilities or conditions qualify individuals for NDIS eligibility?

NDIS eligibility is determined by the presence of a disability caused by a permanent impairment. This impairment can take various forms, including but not limited to:

  • Intellectual Disability: Conditions affecting cognitive function.
  • Cognitive Impairment: Disorders impacting mental processes and comprehension.
  • Neurological Conditions: Disorders affecting the nervous system.
  • Sensory Impairments: Issues with sight, hearing, or other sensory functions.
  • Physical Disabilities: Limitations in mobility or motor functions.
  • Psychosocial Impairment: Mental health conditions affecting social and psychological well-being.

Individuals diagnosed with List A medical conditions are likely to meet NDIS disability requirements. These conditions, inherently causing permanent impairment, lead to substantially reduced functional capacity.

Understanding the diverse range of disabilities and conditions covered by the NDIS is crucial for individuals seeking eligibility. If your condition falls within these categories, you may qualify for the support provided by the NDIS.

I have a child with a disability; can they qualify for NDIS support?

If your child has a disability, developmental delay, or developmental concerns, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to provide valuable support. Here's how NDIS can assist your child and your family:

  • Goal Achievement: NDIS support can help your child work towards their life goals despite their disability.
  • Family Support: The NDIS is not just for individuals; it extends support to families. This includes funding for necessary support services required due to the child's disability.
  • Financial Assistance: The NDIS may fund various forms of support, such as therapeutic and behavioural interventions, additional respite, and essential aids and equipment.
  • Caring Role Maintenance: The support provided can assist families and carers in maintaining their crucial roles in caring for the child.
  • Community Participation: NDIS support ensures that your child can actively participate in the community, fostering a sense of inclusion and engagement.

Understanding the scope of NDIS support for children is essential. If your child has a disability or developmental concerns, exploring the NDIS can open avenues for comprehensive assistance tailored to their specific needs.

What documents or assessments are required to confirm NDIS eligibility?

To confirm your eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), you'll need evidence of your disability. Work with your treating health professionals, who can provide the necessary documentation. Common treating health professionals include:

  • General Practitioner (GP)
  • Paediatrician
  • Orthopaedic surgeon
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Speech Pathologist (Therapist)
  • Neurologist
  • Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Physiotherapist

The treating health professional who provides the evidence of your disability should:

  • Relevance: Be the most appropriate person to confirm evidence of your primary disability.
  • Duration: Have treated you for a significant period, typically at least six months.

Choosing the Right Treating Health Professional:

Refer to the Types of disability evidence information to help decide the most suitable treating health professional for your primary disability. If you encounter challenges gathering the required evidence, Local Area Coordinators (LAC) or early childhood partners are available to assist you.

Understanding the documentation and assessments needed for NDIS eligibility is crucial. Collaborate with your healthcare professionals and support services to ensure a smooth application process.

Is there an age limit for NDIS eligibility, or can people of all ages apply?

If you're between the ages of 9 and 65, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is accessible to you with the assistance of a local area coordinator. They can guide you through the NDIS application process, help you understand the system, and connect you with other government and community supports. On the other hand, if you have a child younger than 9, an early childhood partner is the key support figure. Early childhood partners not only provide assistance to children before applying for the NDIS but also assess whether the NDIS is suitable for the child, keeping families informed about the eligibility process. This age-specific approach ensures tailored support structures for individuals and families at different stages of life.

Can individuals with mental health conditions be eligible for NDIS support?

For individuals with mental health conditions, eligibility for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support is contingent on the presence of a severe, longstanding, and impactful psychosocial disability resulting from their condition. It's important to note that not everyone with a mental health condition automatically qualifies for NDIS support, but for those with a psychosocial disability, NDIS is designed to provide assistance. The focus of NDIS support is on functional ability and long-term recovery, rather than clinical interventions. This means NDIS may fund supports to enhance capabilities related to daily activities and those affected by the disability. Whether it's aiding in daily living activities, fostering community participation, or rebuilding skills and confidence, NDIS is dedicated to supporting individuals in various aspects of their lives affected by mental illness or psychosocial disability.

  • Engage in Activities of Daily Living: This involves supporting individuals in navigating their daily routines, ensuring they can independently manage tasks such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and household activities.
  • Participate in the Community, Social Life, Study, and Work: NDIS aims to facilitate active involvement in various aspects of life, including community engagement, social interactions, educational pursuits, and employment. This support extends beyond the individual's immediate needs to promote a well-rounded and fulfilling life.
  • Recover and Build Skills and Confidence in Daily Activities:NDIS is committed to assisting individuals in recovering and enhancing skills that may have been impacted by their disability. This includes rebuilding confidence in routine activities, fostering a sense of independence, and promoting long-term self-sufficiency.

These points encapsulate the diverse ways in which NDIS focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions, addressing their specific needs in both practical and holistic dimensions.

Which medical conditions are excluded from NDIS funding?

The NDIS does not allocate funds or support for conditions that are time-limited or non-ongoing. For instance, cases of reduced mobility arising from acute injuries like a lower limb fracture do not fulfil the NDIS disability criteria, as these conditions are expected to resolve over time.

Additionally, chronic health conditions unrelated to a person's disability are not eligible for NDIS funding or support. It's crucial to distinguish between the management of chronic health conditions and their associated comorbidities and the realm of disability.

For instance, the NDIS may provide financial support for disability services for someone who underwent a lower limb amputation due to peripheral artery disease linked to diabetes (physical impairment leading to disability due to a health condition), provided they meet all access requirements.

However, the NDIS will not cover expenses related to medication or medical care for the treatment of diabetes or peripheral artery disease.

Is impairment resulting from a medical condition or disease covered by the NDIS?

Yes, the NDIS considers individuals eligible for access regardless of whether their impairment is a result of birth, disease, injury, or accident.

For NDIS funding to be applicable, the medical condition or disease must lead to a permanent impairment, encompassing physical, intellectual, cognitive, neurological, visual, hearing, or psychosocial aspects, resulting in a significant disability.

For instance, a stroke causing hemiparesis (substantial reduction in mobility) or severe emphysema resulting in irreversible lung damage (chronic dyspnea significantly reducing mobility, self-care, and community participation) are scenarios where individuals may qualify for NDIS support.