NDIS Eligibility: Am I Eligible for NDIS Funding? (2026 Guide)
A plain-English guide to understanding who qualifies for the NDIS, what evidence you need, and how to apply step by step
IN THIS GUIDE
Age Requirements
Residency Requirements
Disability Requirements
How to Apply
Evidence You Need
If you're not Eligible
How GreyCare Helps
FAQ's
Navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can feel overwhelming, especially when you are just starting out. Before you can access funding for support services, the first step is determining if you meet the NDIS eligibility criteria.
At GreyCare, we believe getting the right support should be simple. This guide breaks down the four key requirements for NDIS eligibility in plain English, explains what counts as a permanent and significant disability, and walks you through the application process step by step.
Quick Answer: The 4 NDIS Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the NDIS, you must meet all four of the following criteria at the time you apply:
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Age: You must be aged between 9 and 65 years old. (Children under 9 access support through the Early Childhood Approach).
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Residency: You must live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, a Permanent Resident, or hold a Protected Special Category Visa.
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Disability: You must have a permanent and significant disability that affects your ability to take part in everyday activities.
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Early Intervention: Alternatively, you may be eligible if you require early intervention supports to reduce the future impact of your disability.
Age Requirements Explained
The NDIS is designed to support people throughout their lives, but there are specific age brackets for how you enter the scheme.
If you are aged between 9 and 65, you apply for the NDIS through the standard pathway.
If you are applying for a child under 9 years old, they will be supported through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach. This pathway focuses on timely early intervention for children with developmental delay or disability, often without needing a formal diagnosis.
If you are aged 65 or older when you apply, you are not eligible for the NDIS. Instead, you should apply for support through the aged care system, such as the Support at Home program. If you are already receiving NDIS support when you turn 65, you can choose to remain on the NDIS or transition to the aged care system.
Need NDIS Support?
Already have your plan? GreyCare provides simple, personalised in-home support.
Residency Requirements
To access the NDIS, you must live in Australia. Additionally, you must meet one of the following citizenship or visa requirements:
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You are an Australian citizen.
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You hold a Permanent Visa.
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You hold a Protected Special Category Visa (this generally applies to certain New Zealand citizens who arrived in Australia before 26 February 2001).
If you hold a temporary visa, a student visa, or a standard tourist visa, you are unfortunately not eligible for the NDIS.
Disability Requirements: What Counts as "Permanent and Significant"?
This is the area where most people have questions. The NDIS requires that your disability be both "permanent" and "significant." But what does that actually mean?
Permanent means that your disability is lifelong. It will not go away, even if the symptoms fluctuate or there are periods where you feel better.
Significant means that the disability substantially impacts your ability to complete everyday activities without assistance. This might mean you need help from another person, or you require assistive technology or specialized equipment to participate in daily life.
The NDIS recognizes several categories of disability, provided they meet the permanent and significant criteria:
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Physical disabilities: Conditions that affect mobility, dexterity, or stamina (e.g., cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, amputation).
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Intellectual disabilities: Conditions that affect learning, problem-solving, and adaptive functioning.
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Psychosocial disabilities: Severe and persistent mental health conditions that impact daily functioning (e.g., severe depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
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Sensory disabilities: Significant vision impairment or hearing loss.
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Neurological conditions: Conditions affecting the brain and nervous system (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis).
When applying, the focus is not just on your medical diagnosis, but on how that diagnosis impacts your daily life, your independence, and your ability to participate in the community.
How to Apply for the NDIS: Step by Step
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, the next step is to apply. Here is a simple breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Check your eligibility online Before doing anything else, use the quick eligibility checklist on the official NDIS website.
Step 2: Gather your evidence This is the most crucial step. You will need documents that prove your identity, age, and residency. More importantly, you need strong medical evidence documenting your disability and how it impacts your daily life.
Step 3: Complete the Access Request Form You can apply by calling the NDIS (1800 800 110), visiting a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) office, or downloading and completing an Access Request Form.
Step 4: Wait for a decision The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) typically makes a decision within 21 days of receiving your completed application and all necessary evidence.
Step 5: Your Planning Meeting If your application is approved, you will have a planning meeting with an NDIA representative or LAC. You will discuss your current situation, the supports you currently receive, and your goals for the future.
Step 6: Receive your plan and choose providers Once your plan is approved, you will receive funding allocated to different support categories. You can then choose registered NDIS providers, like GreyCare, to deliver the services you need.
What Evidence Do You Need?
A successful NDIS application relies on strong evidence. A simple letter stating your diagnosis is rarely enough. The NDIA needs to understand how your disability affects your day-to-day life.
Valuable evidence includes:
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Treating Doctor's Report: A detailed report from your GP outlining your condition, treatments tried, and the permanence of the disability.
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Specialist Assessments: Reports from neurologists, psychiatrists, or orthopedic surgeons.
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Functional Capacity Assessments: A report from an Occupational Therapist detailing exactly what tasks you can and cannot do independently.
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Allied Health Reports: Assessments from speech pathologists, physiotherapists, or psychologists.
Remember, the evidence must clearly describe the functional impact of your disability on mobility, communication, social interaction, learning, self-care, or self-management.
What Happens If You Are Not Eligible?
If the NDIA decides you are not eligible, they will send you a letter explaining why. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request an internal review within three months.
If you are still not eligible, there are other support systems available outside the NDIS.
These include:
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state and territory disability services,
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community health services, and
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My Aged Care (for those aged 65 and over).
How GreyCare Can Help Once You Are Approved
At GreyCare, we provide total care for you and your home. Once your NDIS plan is approved, we make it simple to get the support you need to live independently and achieve your goals.
We offer a range of personalized, in-home NDIS support services, including:
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Assistance with daily personal activities
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Household tasks and domestic assistance
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Community participation and social support
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Transport assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the NDIS if I have a mental health condition? Yes. The NDIS refers to this as a psychosocial disability. If your mental health condition is severe, persistent, and significantly impacts your ability to manage your daily life, you may be eligible.
Is autism automatically eligible for the NDIS? Not always. Eligibility depends on the severity of the autism and its impact on daily functioning. Typically, Autism Level 2 (requiring substantial support) and Level 3 (requiring very substantial support) meet the criteria. Autism Level 1 may require more detailed evidence of functional impact.
Can I apply for the NDIS if I am over 65? No. You must be under 65 years old at the time you submit your access request. If you are 65 or older, you should seek support through the My Aged Care system.
How long does the NDIS application take? Once you have submitted your Access Request Form and all required evidence, the NDIA must make a decision within 21 days. However, gathering the medical evidence beforehand can take several weeks or months.
Do I need a formal diagnosis to apply? Generally, yes. For adults, a formal diagnosis from a qualified medical professional is required to prove the disability is permanent. However, for children under 9 entering through the Early Childhood Approach, support can sometimes be provided for developmental delay before a formal diagnosis is made.
What if my NDIS application is rejected? If your application is rejected, you can request an internal review of the decision within three months. If the review is also unsuccessful, you can appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).