Who Can Access the NDIS? Eligibility Criteria Explained

If you're asking “can I get NDIS funding?” here's the short answer: you're likely eligible for the NDIS if you're under 65, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have a permanent disability (or a condition that would benefit from early intervention) that affects your daily life. The rest of this guide breaks each requirement down so you can check for yourself before you apply and if you're still unsure afterwards, our NDIS team can check it with you.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is for:

• People with disability (or their family/carer) trying to work out if they qualify for NDIS funding before applying
• Support coordinators or allied health professionals helping a client check eligibility
• Anyone who's been told they might qualify and wants the actual criteria, not just general advice

It won't walk you through the Access Request Form itself or what happens once you're approved for that, see our guide on how to qualify for NDIS funding and what the NDIS is and how it works.

The 3 NDIS Eligibility Requirements

1. Age Requirement

You must have been under 65 years old at the time you first apply for NDIS access. If you're 65 or older when you first apply, you may still be able to access aged care supports instead that's a separate system with different rules.

2. Residency Requirement

You must, at the time you apply:

• Live in Australia, and
• Be an Australian citizen, or
• Hold a Permanent Visa, or
• Hold a Protected Special Category Visa (this generally applies to eligible New Zealand citizens living in Australia)

The NDIS is now available across all of Australia it's no longer limited to trial or transition sites, so where you live in the country doesn't affect whether you can apply.

3. Disability Requirement or Early Intervention Requirement

You only need to meet one of these two not both.

Disability Requirements

You meet this if:

• You have a permanent disability or impairment, and
• It substantially reduces your ability to do everyday activities without support, and
• It significantly affects your ability to take part in social and economic life, and
• You're likely to need NDIS support for life

Early Intervention Requirements

You meet this if:

• You have an impairment likely to be permanent, and evidence shows that getting support now would reduce how much support you need in the future, or
• You're a child under 6 with a significant developmental delay in language, self-care, motor skills, or cognitive development see our guide on NDIS support for children for more on this pathway

NDIS Eligibility for Psychosocial Disability (Mental Health Conditions)

The same three requirements above apply if your disability relates to a mental health condition the NDIS calls this a psychosocial disability. You may be eligible if:

• Your psychosocial disability is caused by a mental health condition that is permanent or likely to be permanent, and
• It significantly reduces your ability to function and participate in daily life, work, education, or social activities, and
• You're likely to need support for this on an ongoing basis

One important distinction: a psychosocial disability doesn't have to affect you constantly to count as “permanent.” The NDIA recognises that mental health conditions can fluctuate in intensity over time, as long as the underlying impairment itself is expected to persist. If you're unsure whether your condition would meet this, get in touch and we can talk through what evidence helps support this kind of application.

Is the NDIS Income or Asset Tested?

No. Unlike some other government support systems, NDIS eligibility and funding are not means-tested your income, savings, or assets (and those of your family) have no bearing on whether you qualify or how much support you receive. Access to the NDIS is based entirely on the age, residency, and disability/early intervention requirements above, not on financial circumstances.

How to Check If You're Eligible

1. Confirm your age and residency status against the requirements above
2. Gather evidence reports from your doctor, specialist, or allied health professional describing your disability and how it affects daily life
3. Complete an Access Request Form, available from the NDIS or through a registered provider like A13 Community Care
4. Submit supporting evidence with your form the more specific and current, the faster your assessment
5. Wait for the NDIA's decision you'll be notified in writing whether you've been found eligible

You can check the official criteria directly on the NDIS's own eligibility page: How to check your eligibility NDIS.gov.au.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once you submit an Access Request, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) reviews your evidence against the requirements above. If approved, you'll work with a Local Area Coordinator or NDIA planner to build your first NDIS plan, which sets out your funded supports and goals our guide on preparing for your NDIS planning meeting covers what to expect.

If You're Not Found Eligible: The Review Process

If your Access Request isn't approved, the NDIA will give you written reasons for the decision along with information on other supports you may be able to access. You generally have the right to ask for an internal review of the decision, and if you're still not satisfied after that review, you can apply for an independent external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal. Hold on to any medical or allied health evidence you've gathered it's often the same evidence used to support a review, or a fresh application later if your circumstances change. Contact us if you'd like help understanding a decision letter or preparing evidence for a review.

Once you have a plan, many participants choose to bring in a support coordinator or a plan manager to help get the most out of their funding see when you become eligible for support coordination for how that works.

Common Questions About NDIS Eligibility

Key Takeaways

• You need to meet all three: age (under 65), residency, and either the disability or early intervention requirement
• The NDIS is available Australia-wide location within Australia isn't a barrier
• Functional impact matters more than diagnosis alone this includes psychosocial disability from mental health conditions
• Eligibility isn't means-tested income and assets don't factor in
• Strong, current supporting evidence from your doctor or specialist speeds up your assessment
• If you're unsure, a registered provider can help you check eligibility before you formally apply learn more about what the NDIS actually offers once you're in

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This article is reviewed periodically against current NDIS Operational Guidelines. Eligibility rules are set by the NDIA and can change always confirm current criteria at NDIS.gov.au or with an NDIS provider before applying.