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Am I Eligible for the NDIS?
Understanding the requirements to access NDIS support and services
NDIS Eligibility Requirements
You must meet ALL of these requirements to be eligible for NDIS support
Under 65 when you first apply
You must be under 65 years old when you make your first NDIS application. If you're already receiving support from another system, different rules may apply.
Examples:
- Born after 1 July 1957 (for applications in 2024)
- Must apply before your 65th birthday
Australian citizen, permanent resident, or protected special category visa holder
You must have legal residency status in Australia and live in an area where the NDIS is available.
Examples:
- Australian citizen
- Permanent resident
- Protected Special Category Visa holder
- Living in NDIS rollout area
Have a permanent and significant disability
Your disability must be permanent (lifelong) and significantly impact your ability to participate in everyday activities.
Examples:
- Intellectual disability
- Physical disability
- Sensory disability
- Neurological condition
- Psychosocial disability
Or likely to benefit from early intervention
If you don't meet the disability requirement, you may still be eligible if early intervention support could reduce your future support needs.
Examples:
- Developmental delays in children
- Recent acquired disability
- Progressive conditions
- Mental health conditions
Types of Disabilities Covered
- Spinal cord injury
- Amputation
- Muscular dystrophy
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Intellectual disability
- Global developmental delay
- Blindness or low vision
- Deafness or hearing loss
- Deaf-blindness
- Acquired brain injury
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson's disease
- Huntington's disease
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Autism
- Asperger's syndrome
- Pervasive developmental disorder
- • Your disability must be permanent - this means it's likely to be lifelong
- • Your disability must significantly impact your ability to participate in everyday activities
- • You need evidence from healthcare professionals to support your application
- • The NDIS doesn't cover supports that are the responsibility of other systems (health, education, housing)
- • Having a diagnosis doesn't automatically make you eligible - the impact of your disability is what matters